In an article celebrating Richard Pryor’s national TV debut in 1964, “Juliette Whittaker of Carver Center” is name-checked for urging Pryor to “move into any and every stage he could find.”
Peoria
A digital companion to the biography Becoming Richard Pryor
National TV Debut For Peoria Entertainer
Date: 08/31/1964
Citation:
"National Television Debut Set for Peoria Entertainer," Peoria Journal Star, Aug. 31, 1964.
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1. Early Childhood (1940-1946)
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North Washington Street
–1938–The block, in the red-light district, where Pryor was raised
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Married: LeRoy Pryor and Gertrude Thomas
–12/28/1943–Three years after he was born, World War II spurred Richard's parents to marry
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The Pryor Family at the Famous Door
–c. 1945–The Pryor family diversified its operations, becoming proud owners of a tavern in the mid-40s
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Gertrude Pryor v. LeRoy Pryor
–1/1946–The divorce papers of Richard Pryor's parents
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2. Floating from School to School (1946-1954)
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Richard’s School Record
–1945-1955–Richard struggled to find his way through Peoria's schools
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Richard’s Partners on Stage: The Glow Girls
–c. 1951–The “Glow Girls” performed on a double bill with Richard on the gym steps at Blaine Sumner school in 1953.
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Richard on a Sixth-Grade Field Trip
–3/1/1954–The great comedian-to-be in Springfield, next to a statue of the Great Emancipator
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Deal With Teacher Gave Pryor First Audience
–12/26/82–Sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Yingst offered a stage of sorts to the young Richard
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Classmate Recalls Pryor’s School Days
–5/10/1985–Margaret Kelch witnessed Richard's struggles at school
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3. Finding Himself at Carver (1955-1956)
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Pursuit of Freedom
–11/1949–The mural, a mix of uplift and militancy, that faced Richard onstage at the Carver Center
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Children’s Theater of Carver Center
–3/15/55–A review of “Rumpelstiltskin,” Richard's first stage appearance.
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She Lends Many Talents to Corn Stock
–06/11/1957–A closer look at the Carver Center's resident playwright, director, stage manager, and set designer
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Swinging Into Action
–11/08/1957–Presenting the Silicons - a doowop group featured in a Carver Center talent show that Pryor may have emceed
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If You Shoot For The Moon…
–03/08/1981–An in-depth profile of the remarkable woman who first mentored Richard Pryor as an artist
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Matt Clark Recalls Richard’s Early Love for Performance
–12/18/2005–A portrait of the young Richard, courtesy of his childhood friend Matt Clark
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A Quiet Storm
–05/08/2007–At her funeral service in the Carver Community Center, Whittaker's gift for nurturing talent was fondly recalled
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4. Young Man, Young Comic (1957-1962)
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Harold’s Club
–c. 1960–Harold Parker, proud proprietor of “Harold's Club”
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Father of 5 Fatally Shotgunned At Elk’s Club
–4/3/1962–A bouncer saved Richard's life but was himself killed by a disgruntled customer
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Grand Jury Recommended on Shotgunning
–4/5/1962–A detailed account of the shotgunning of the Elks Club bouncer who saved Richard's life
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Richard Pryor vs. Patricia Pryor
–3/4/1966–Richard Pryor's divorce complaint, filed against his first wife Patricia five years after their wedding
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Divorce Decree
–2/9/1967–The judge's settling of accounts between Richard and his first wife, Patricia
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Matt Clark Recalls Richard’s Early Love for Performance
–12/18/2005–A portrait of the young Richard, courtesy of his childhood friend Matt Clark
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5. Reports and Homecomings (1966-1978)
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National TV Debut For Peoria Entertainer
–08/31/1964–Juliette Whittaker encouraged Pryor to “move into every and any stage he could find.”
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R. Pryor Launched in Movies
–9/9/1967–On the occasion of Richard's first film role, the Peoria Journal Star joined a conversation with his father
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Richard Visits His Mother Gertrude
–1969–Richard raising the spirits of his ailing mother
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Richard Pryor Returns To Peoria Stage
–03/09/1969–A benefit for the local Afro-American Black Peoples Federation brought Richard Pryor back to the Carver Center stage
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Pryor Joins Family For Grandmother’s Funeral
–01/04/1979–Jet's coverage of a central event in Richard Pryor's life — the loss of his “Mama”
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