Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Cast & Crew
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Richard Pryor
Director
Edwin Hausam
Scoey Mitchlll
Dennis Hayden
Dewayne Taylor
Paula Kelly
Film Details
Also Known As
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
MPAA Rating
Genre
Biography
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
1986
Production Company
Robert Wayne Harris
Distribution Company
Sony Pictures Releasing
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 37m
Synopsis
Director
Richard Pryor
Director
Cast
Edwin Hausam
Scoey Mitchlll
Dennis Hayden
Dewayne Taylor
Paula Kelly
Alicia Shonte Harvey
Roxanne Rolle
Jimmy Binkley Group
Fay Hauser
Richard Daugherty
Martin Azarow
J J Barr
Marlene Warfield
Linda Hoy
Dean Wein
Sig Froelich
Tanya Boyd
Gloria Charles
Wings Hauser
Howard L.w. Fortune
Sam Hennings
Dorothy Mclennan
Michael Williams
Debbie Allen
Art Evans
Jo Ann Mann
Ludie C Washington
Mary Bond Davis
Dr. Richard Grossman
Elizabeth Robinson
Gary Allen
Billy Eckstine
Ken Foree
Virginia Capers
Rashon Kahn
Beau Starr
Michael Ironside
Valerie Mcintosh
Fred Coffin
Bebe Drake
Barbara Williams
Charles Knapp
Angella Mitchell
Erika Marr
Mike Genovese
Rocco Urbisci
Larry Murphy
Carmen Mcrae
Joanna Lipari
Rod Gist
Charlie Dell
Deon Pearson
Jack Andreozzi
Ken Wescott
Lead Person
Tracy Morgan
Laura Rae
Geraldine Mason
Richard Pryor
E'lon Cox
Edy Roberts
Kiblena Peace
Robin Torell
Diahnne Abbott
Teri Hafford
Dennis Farina
J J Barry
Cheri Wells
Michael Prince
Erastus Spencer
Crew
Teri Abostado
Production Auditor
Carl Aldana
Illustrator
Amy Alexander
Assistant
Dick Alexander
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Robert Alexus
Rigging Gaffer
John Alonzo
Director Of Photography
Gene Ammons
Song Performer
Norman Ash
Lighting Technician
Roy Ash
Lighting Technician
Sidney R. Baldwin
Photography
Michael Barrett
Best Boy Electric
Count Basie
Song Performer
Renaldo Benson
Song
William Birch
Director Of Photography
Elsa Blangstead
Music Editor
Ruby Bloom
Song
Arlester Boykin
Lighting Technician
Marilyn Bradfield
Technical Advisor
Ophelious Braxton
Best Boy Grip
Bonnie Brown
Assistant
Milton C Burrow
Supervising Sound Editor
Neil Burrow
Sound Editor
Willie Burton
Sound Mixer
Donn Cambern
Editor
Alfred Cleveland
Song
Robert Cornett
Sound Editor
Alice I Daniels
Costumer
John De Cuir
Production Designer
Autry De Walt
Song
Frank Demichelis
Craft Service
Bryan Denegal
Assistant Director
Duke Ellington
Song
Jay Engel
Adr Editor
Mark Fabus
Set Designer
Joseph Fama
Foreman
Carolyn Fitzgerald
Apprentice Editor
Nancy Frazen
Assistant Editor
Les Fresholtz
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Larry Fuentes
Special Effects
Matt Furginson
Swing Gang
Otho Lee Gaines
Song
Karlene Gallegly
Location Manager
Kenneth Gamble
Song
Dino Ganziano
Hair Stylist
Maritza L Garcia-roddy
Wardrobe
Marvin Gaye
Song
Marvin Gaye
Song Performer
Christopher Gegen
Casting Assistant
Lauren R Glassman
Assistant
Daniel Gluck
Set Designer
William Goldenberg
Apprentice Editor
Mark S Gordon
Sound Editor
Greg A Hall
Wardrobe
Herbie Hancock
Music
Bill Hardin
Assistant Camera
Robert Wayne Harris
Cable Operator
Bruce Hawes
Song
Bud Heller
Key Grip
Jimmy Herron
Property Master
Steven Hiller
Assistant Camera
Leon Huff
Song
Susan Ingram
Assistant Camera
Anthony Jackson
Song
Mahalia Jackson
Song
Mahalia Jackson
Song Performer
Joseph Jefferson
Song
Renee Jones
Production Secretary
Horace B Jordan
Assistant Camera
Fred Judkins
Supervising Sound Editor
Rashon Kahn
Assistant
Chaka Khan
Song Performer
Chaka Khan
Song
Gladys Knight
Song Performer
Ted Koehler
Song
Luca Kouimelis
Script Supervisor
Bud Lacy
Transportation Captain
Tom Laughridge
Camera Operator
Vicki Lemay-jackson
Dga Trainee
Marvin E. Lewis
Boom Operator
Tony Lloyd
Makeup Artist
Mel London
Song
Frederick Long
Song
Joseph P Lucky
Set Designer
Mark Ludwig
Assistant Camera
Ellis Mcdaniel
Song
William J Mclaughlin
Swing Gang
Terry Miles
Makeup Artist
Paul Mooney
Screenplay
Warren Moore
Song
Mckinley Morganfield
Song
Fran Moss
Location Coordinator
Michael A. Muscarella
Construction Coordinator
David J Negron
Special Effects
David J Negron
Illustrator
David J Negron
Special Effects
David J Negron
Titles And Opticals
Phill Norman
Titles
Michael O'shea
Camera Operator
Ronald Oliney
Stunt Coordinator
Ernest Phillips
Painter
Scott Pierson
Transportation Coordinator
Vern Poore
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Stephanie Powell
Video Assist/Playback
Richard Pryor
Producer
Richard Pryor
Screenplay
Miles Davis Quintet
Song Performer
Cleve Reed
Song
Brossy Reina
Assistant Sound Editor
Clinton Robinson
Props
William Robinson Jr.
Song
Susan Royal
Production Accountant
Mitch Ryder
Song Performer
Dennis Sands
Music Scoring Mixer
Silvio Scarano
Costumer
Wayne Shorter
Soloist
Charles Simmons
Song
Kimberly Sizemore
Assistant
B J Smith
Medic
Eddie Smith
Coordinator
Maureen Solomon
Assistant
Stuart Spohn
Gaffer
Jennifer Stace
Choreographer
William Stevenson
Song
Billy Stewart
Song
Billy Stewart
Song Performer
Sonny Stitt
Song Performer
Barrett Strong
Song
Joe Tapia
Grip
Jim Taylor
Photography
Bill Tiegs
Wardrobe
Sig Tinglof
Set Designer
Dave Tulley
Greensman
Donald Tuttle
Transportation Co-Captain
Pernell Tyus
Camera Operator
Rocco Urbisci
Screenplay
Gregory Van Der Veer
Titles And Opticals
Marilyn Vance-straker
Costume Designer
Dianne Wager
Set Designer
Julia Walker
Hair Stylist
Muddy Waters
Song Performer
Jerry Wexler
Music Supervisor
Paul Wexler
Music Supervisor
Detroit Wheels
Song Performer
Norman Whitfield
Song
Walter Williams
Dolly Grip
Winnie Brown Willis
Costumes
John Wilson
Associate Producer
John Wilson
Production Manager
Robert Wilson
Assistant
Randy Woodside
Lighting Technician
Anna Zappia
Production Coordinator
Jerry Ziesmer
Assistant Director
Film Details
Also Known As
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
MPAA Rating
Genre
Biography
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
1986
Production Company
Robert Wayne Harris
Distribution Company
Sony Pictures Releasing
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 37m
Articles
Richard Pryor (1940-2005)
He was born Richard Thomas Pryor III on December 1, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois. By all accounts, his childhood was a difficult one. His mother was a prostitute and his grandmother ran a brothel. His father was rarely around and when he was, he would physically abuse him. From a young age, Pryor knew that humor was his weapon of choice to cut through all the swath he came across and would confront in his life.
After high school, he enlisted in the Army for a two-year stint (1958-60). When he was discharged (honorably!) he concentrated on stand-up comedy and worked in a series of nightclubs before relocating to New York City in 1963. In 1964, he made his television debut when he was given a slot on the variety program On Broadway Tonight. His routine, though hardly the groundbreaking material we would witness in later years, was very well received, and in the late '60s Pryor found more television work: Toast of the Town, The Wild Wild West, The Mod Squad ; and was cast in a two movies: The Busy Body (1967) with Sid Caesar; and Wild in the Streets (1968) a cartoonish political fantasy about the internment of all American citizens over 30.
Pryor's career really didn't ignite until the '70s. His stand up act became raunchier and more politically motivated as he touched on issued of race, failed relationships, drug addiction, and street crimes. His movie roles became far more captivating in the process: the piano man in Lady Sings the Blues (1972); as a wise-talking hustler in a pair of slick urban thrillers: The Mack (1973) and Uptown Saturday Night (1974); the gregarious Daddy Rich in Car Wash; his first pairing with Gene Wilder as Grover, the car thief who helps stops a runaway train in his first real box office smash Silver Streak (both 1976); and for many critics, his finest dramatic performance as a factory worker on the edge of depression in Paul Schrader's excellent working class drama Blue Collar (1978).
On a personal level, his drug dependency problem worsened, and on June 9, 1980, near tragedy struck when he caught fire while free-basing cocaine. Pryor later admitted that the incident, was, in fact, a suicide attempt, and that his management company created the lie for the press in hopes of protecting him. Fortunately, Pryor had three films in the can that all achieved some level of financial success soon after his setback: another pairing with Gene Wilder in the prison comedy Stir Crazy (1980); a blisteringly funny cameo as God who flips off Andy Kaufman in the warped religious satire In God We Tru$t (1980); an a ex-con helping a social worker (Cicely Tyson) with her foster charges in Bustin' Loose (1981). He capped his recovery with Live on the Sunset Strip (1982), a first-rate documentation of the comic's genius performed in front of a raucous live audience.
In 1983, Pryor signed a $40 million, five-year contract with Columbia Pictures. For many fans and critics, this was the beginning of his downslide. His next few films: The Toy, Superman III (both 1983), and Brewster's Millions (1985) were just tiresome, mediocre comedies. Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986), was his only attempt at producing, directing, and acting, and the film, which was an ambitious autobiographical account of a his life and career, was a box-office disappointment. He spent the remainder of the '80s in middling fare: Condition Critical (1987), Moving; a third pairing with Gene Wilder in See No Evil, Hear No Evil; and his only teaming with Eddie Murphy in Harlem Nights (1989).
In 1986, Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system that curtailed both his personal appearances and his gift for physical comedy in his latter films. By the '90s, little was seen of Pryor, but in 1995, he made a courageous comeback on television when he guest starred on Chicago Hope as an embittered multiple sclerosis patient. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and he was cast in a few more films: Mad Dog Time (1996), Lost Highway (1997), but his physical ailments prohibited him from performing on a regular basis. In 1998, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington gave Pryor the first Mark Twain Prize for humor. It was fitting tribute for a man who had given so much honesty and innovation in the field of comedy. Pryor is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lee; his sons Richard and Steven; and daughters Elizabeth, Rain and Renee.
by Michael T. Toole
Richard Pryor (1940-2005)
The scathing, brilliantly insightful African-American comic who proved himself on many occasions to be a highly competent screen actor, died of a heart attack on November 10 at his Encino, California home. He was 65. He had been reclusive for years after he publicly announced he was suffering from multiple sclerosis in 1992.
He was born Richard Thomas Pryor III on December 1, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois. By all accounts, his childhood was a difficult one. His mother was a prostitute and his grandmother ran a brothel. His father was rarely around and when he was, he would physically abuse him. From a young age, Pryor knew that humor was his weapon of choice to cut through all the swath he came across and would confront in his life.
After high school, he enlisted in the Army for a two-year stint (1958-60). When he was discharged
(honorably!) he concentrated on stand-up comedy and worked in a series of nightclubs before relocating to New York City in 1963. In 1964, he made his television debut when he was given a slot on the variety program On Broadway Tonight. His routine, though hardly the groundbreaking material we would witness in later years, was very well received, and in the late '60s Pryor found more television work:
Toast of the Town, The Wild Wild West, The Mod Squad ; and was cast in a two movies:
The Busy Body (1967) with Sid Caesar; and Wild in the Streets (1968) a cartoonish political fantasy about the internment of all American citizens over 30.
Pryor's career really didn't ignite until the '70s.
His stand up act became raunchier and more politically motivated as he touched on issued of race, failed relationships, drug addiction, and street crimes. His movie roles became far more captivating in the
process: the piano man in Lady Sings the Blues (1972); as a wise-talking hustler in a pair of slick urban thrillers: The Mack (1973) and Uptown Saturday Night (1974); the gregarious Daddy Rich in Car Wash; his first pairing with Gene Wilder as Grover, the car thief who helps stops a runaway train in his first real box office smash Silver Streak (both 1976); and for many critics, his finest dramatic performance as a factory worker on the edge of depression in Paul Schrader's excellent working class drama Blue Collar (1978).
On a personal level, his drug dependency problem worsened, and on June 9, 1980, near tragedy struck when he caught fire while free-basing cocaine. Pryor later admitted that the incident, was, in fact, a suicide attempt, and that his management company created the lie for the press in hopes of protecting him.
Fortunately, Pryor had three films in the can that all achieved some level of financial success soon after his setback: another pairing with Gene Wilder in the prison comedy Stir Crazy (1980); a blisteringly funny cameo as God who flips off Andy Kaufman in the warped religious satire In God We Tru$t (1980); an a ex-con helping a social worker (Cicely Tyson) with her foster charges in Bustin' Loose (1981). He capped his recovery with Live on the Sunset Strip (1982), a first-rate documentation of the comic's genius performed in front of a raucous live audience.
In 1983, Pryor signed a $40 million, five-year contract with Columbia Pictures. For many fans and critics, this was the beginning of his downslide. His next few films: The Toy, Superman III (both 1983), and Brewster's Millions (1985) were just tiresome, mediocre comedies. Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986), was his only attempt at producing, directing, and acting, and the film, which was an ambitious autobiographical account of a his life and career, was a box-office disappointment. He spent the remainder of the '80s in middling fare:
Condition Critical (1987), Moving; a third pairing with Gene Wilder in See No Evil, Hear No Evil; and his only teaming with Eddie Murphy in Harlem Nights (1989).
In 1986, Pryor was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the nervous system that curtailed both his personal appearances and his gift for physical comedy in his latter films. By the '90s, little was seen of Pryor, but in 1995, he made a courageous comeback on television when he guest starred on Chicago Hope as an embittered multiple sclerosis patient. His performance earned him an Emmy nomination and he was cast in a few more
films: Mad Dog Time (1996), Lost Highway (1997), but his physical ailments prohibited him from performing on a regular basis. In 1998, The John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington gave Pryor the first Mark Twain Prize for humor. It was fitting tribute for a man who had given so much honesty and innovation in the field of comedy. Pryor is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lee; his sons Richard and Steven; and daughters Elizabeth, Rain and Renee.
by Michael T. Toole
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Spring May 2, 1986
Released in United States Spring May 2, 1986