Acclaimed Comedian and Writer Paul Mooney Dies at 79

Acclaimed Comedian and Writer Paul Mooney Dies at 79

Legendary comedian, writer and actor, Paul Mooney, who became famous late in his career for his Chappelle’s Show appearances, has passed away at 79.

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Paul Mooney, an acclaimed comedian, writer and actor, who was one of the most well-respected comedians in the stand-up comedy business for decades before having a late career surge in popularity due to his appearances on Dave Chappelle’s hit Comedy Central series, Chappelle’s Show, has passed away at the age of 79.

Born Paul Gladney, Mooney took the stage name “Paul Mooney” based after the actor Paul Muni, who played Scarface in the original 1931 Scarface film. Mooney was working as a ringleader in a small circus when he decided to try becoming a stand-up comedian. He met stand-up superstar Richard Pryor in 1968. The two men became close friends for the rest of Pryor’s life and Mooney soon became one of the key writers of material for Pryor. His success with Pryor led to gigs for Mooney to write some TV sitcoms in the 1970s, as well, like Sanford and Son (with Pryor) and Good Times. When Pryor was asked to host Saturday Night Live early in the first season of the iconic sketch show, Pryor insisted that Mooney write for the episode and it was Mooney who wrote the legendary “Word Association” sketch with Pryor and Chevy Chase (Chase claims that he wrote the sketch).

Mooney was the head writer for the acclaimed, short-lived sketch show, The Richard Pryor Show, in 1977. That show was famous for finding a shocking variety of young comedic talent, including Robin Williams, Tim Reid, Sandra Bernhard, Marsha Warfield and Edie McClurg.

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Mooney worked as a regular actor in a variety of films in the late 1970s and 1980, including Pryor’s hit film, Bustin’ Loose and Keenen Ivory Wayans and Robert Townsend’s Hollywood Shuffle and he had a rare dramatic role playing singer Sam Cooke in The Buddy Holly Story.

Mooney was the original head writer for In Living Color, and he was the driving force behind the creation of Damon Wayans’ famous character, Homie the Clown.

When Dave Chappelle debuted Chappelle’s Show in 2003, Mooney did the recurring sketches “Ask a Black Dude” and “Mooney at the Movies.” However, when Mooney expanded to the character, Negrodamus (who would answer life’s unanswerable questions, like “Why do White people like Wayne Brady?”), the character (and the overall increased attention to the series as a whole) made Mooney an unlikely star over thirty years into his career as a comedian and actor.

Mooney parlayed his new fame into a number of new gigs, as well as a 2007 memoir, Black Is the New White.

Mooney was still entertaining people on Twitter right up until he passed away at home on May 19, 2021.

Link Source : https://www.cbr.com/paul-mooney-obituary/

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