Paul Mooney, the longtime stand-up comedian & actor who frequently collaborated with fellow comic Richard Pryor, has died.
He was 79.
Mooney died Wednesday in Oakland at 5:30 a.m. local time after suffering a heart attack.
“Thank you all from the bottom of all of our hearts ...you’re all are the best!” reads a tweet shared Wednesday on Mooney’s official account. “Mooney World .. The Godfather of Comedy - ONE MOON MANY STARS! .. To all in love with this great man.. many thanks.”
Born in Shreveport, La., in 1941, Mooney kicked off his comedy career writing for Pryor, & continued to work with the comedy icon on numerous projects over the years.
Their notable works together included co-writing Pryor’s famed comedy album “Live on the Sunset Strip,” as well was co-penning the script for the 1986 comedy-drama movie “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling” with Rocco Urbisci.
Mooney also wrote for variety series “The Richard Pryor Show,” which aired only four episodes in 1977.
On the stand-up stage, Mooney was known for his commentary on race & social subjects.
In front of the camera, Mooney’s work in film & TV projects spanned more than four decades & included a performance as the soul singer Sam Cooke in the 1978 historical drama “The Buddy Holly Story,” which won the Oscar the following year for best adaptation score.
Mooney later played the character June Bug in the 2000 comedy “Bamboozled,” which was written and directed by Spike Lee & appeared on several episodes of “The Chappelle Show” as well.
Mooney’s most recent acting credit came in the 2016 horror-comedy movie “Meet The Blacks,” which starred Mike Epps.
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Source: New York Daily News
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