--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy…" description: "\"As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt Vonnegut was to me.\" — Christopher Moore" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg" --- # As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt… ![“As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt Vonnegut was to me.” quote by Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg) > “As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt Vonnegut was to me.” [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author likens Kurt Vonnegut’s influence on him to Richard Pryor’s influence on Eddie Murphy. **In simple terms:** Vonnegut inspired the author as Pryor inspired Murphy. Key Takeaway Seek mentors who challenge your voice. Themes influence legacy comedy Mood inspirational reflective Type personal comparative When to use this quote - writing workshops - stand‑up comedy - creative mentorship Key Concepts literary impact artistic lineage Questions to Reflect On - Who has shaped your creative path? - What qualities do you admire in them? A Different Perspective Comparisons may oversimplify unique contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kurt/) [Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pryor/) ## Related quotes > [I like Louis C.K., Chris Rock. Old schools like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-like-louis-c-k-chris-rock-old-schools-like-richard-pryor-and-eddie/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [On the comedy side of what I love as a filmmaker are Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and Eddie Murphy; those are my favorites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dobkin/on-the-comedy-side-of-what-i-love-as-a-filmmaker-are-richard-pryor/) [David Dobkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dobkin/) > [I learned from the guys before me - Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, just to name a few. These are guys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/i-learned-from-the-guys-before-me-bill-cosby-eddie-murphy-chris-rock/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [Making music on TV used to be as common as commercials. In the '60s and '70s, prime time was stuffed with variety shows headlined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-shales/making-music-on-tv-used-to-be-as-common-as-commercials-in-the-60s-and/) [Tom Shales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-shales/) > [As a kid, I loved Paula Poundstone and Richard Pryor. But my mother was a huge influence on my comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tig-notaro/as-a-kid-i-loved-paula-poundstone-and-richard-pryor-but-my-mother-was/) [Tig Notaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tig-notaro/) > [Richard Pryor introduced me to the world of the inner city, and the urban world, and did it hysterically. My favorite comedian, even though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-newhart/richard-pryor-introduced-me-to-the-world-of-the-inner-city-and-the/) [Bob Newhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-newhart/) > [As far as stand-ups go, I always loved Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, and Sinbad. Basically, I love black comedians because they're the funniest. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/as-far-as-stand-ups-go-i-always-loved-richard-pryor-chris-rock-and/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [When Richard Pryor did comedy, it was like he was having a conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/when-richard-pryor-did-comedy-it-was-like-he-was-having-a-conversation/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [Why do people love Richard Pryor so much? 'Cause he had problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/why-do-people-love-richard-pryor-so-much-cause-he-had-problems/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [I've never seen anyone more messed up over success than Richard Pryor. For him, it's a constant battle between success in the white world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mooney/i-ve-never-seen-anyone-more-messed-up-over-success-than-richard-pryor/) [Paul Mooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mooney/) > ['The Simpsons' is like Charlie Parker or Marlon Brando or Richard Pryor: Comedy couldn't go back to the way it was after 'The Simpsons'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/the-simpsons-is-like-charlie-parker-or-marlon-brando-or-richard-pryor/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [My dream role is Richard Pryor, no question about that. I'm a big Richard Pryor fan. I've always been intrigued about the darkness behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-missick/my-dream-role-is-richard-pryor-no-question-about-that-i-m-a-big/) [Dorian Missick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-missick/) > [One of my greatest inspirations for stand-up was Jonathan Winters. He was a genius. One thing about him, and also Lenny Bruce, is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-klein/one-of-my-greatest-inspirations-for-stand-up-was-jonathan-winters-he/) [Robert Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-klein/) > [There's a charm, there's a rhythm, there's a soul to Jewish humor. When I first saw Richard Pryor perform, I told him, 'You're doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-king/there-s-a-charm-there-s-a-rhythm-there-s-a-soul-to-jewish-humor-when/) [Alan King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-king/) > [The best comedy to me - and again, I grew up with comedy since I was a baby, so I've seen it all -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/the-best-comedy-to-me-and-again-i-grew-up-with-comedy-since-i-was-a/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) ## More by Christopher Moore > [“Love them all," said Renoir. "That is the secret, young man. Love them all." The painter let go of his arm and shrugged. "Then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/love-them-all-said-renoir-that-is-the-secret-young-man-love-them-all/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“I tried cutting myself to express my heartbreak over Tommy (Lord Flood) rejecting me, but OMFG it hurts like flaming fuck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/i-tried-cutting-myself-to-express-my-heartbreak-over-tommy-lord-flood/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [Canada is a myth people made up to entertain children, like the Tooth Fairy. There’s no such place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/canada-is-a-myth-people-made-up-to-entertain-children-like-the-tooth/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [Sarcasm will make your tits fall off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/sarcasm-will-make-your-tits-fall-off/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“I hope you are not here to ask me to do my bawdy business- the monkey has a nosebleed and the circus, sir, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/i-hope-you-are-not-here-to-ask-me-to-do-my-bawdy-business-the-monkey/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [The prospect of change is a many-fanged beast, my dear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/the-prospect-of-change-is-a-many-fanged-beast-my-dear/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“The night was crisp and the stars shone with a cold blue light like loneliness or infinity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/the-night-was-crisp-and-the-stars-shone-with-a-cold-blue-light-like/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [Children see magic because they look for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/children-see-magic-because-they-look-for-it/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“Abby Von Normal - And I'm like, "Don't change the subject, Kung Pao, what I want to know is if you're ready to spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/abby-von-normal-and-i-m-like-don-t-change-the-subject-kung-pao-what-i/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“You can't just go around blurting out the truth like a prophet with Tourette's syndrome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/you-can-t-just-go-around-blurting-out-the-truth-like-a-prophet-with/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [How could you deal with a creature as devious as woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/how-could-you-deal-with-a-creature-as-devious-as-woman/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“…turning your ankle hurts like hell, even if you're a superhero.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/turning-your-ankle-hurts-like-hell-even-if-you-re-a-superhero/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [Lonliness evaporated off of them like the steam off dry ice, and by morning it was just a cloud on the ceiling of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/lonliness-evaporated-off-of-them-like-the-steam-off-dry-ice-and-by/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“Give us a call or you know, flash a searchlight in the sky with your logo on it, because we monitor everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/give-us-a-call-or-you-know-flash-a-searchlight-in-the-sky-with-your/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“it wasn't so much like the hands of time had stood still here, more like they'd been thrown in the air in exasperation, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/it-wasn-t-so-much-like-the-hands-of-time-had-stood-still-here-more/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) [Explore all 591 Christopher Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) ## More Eddie quotes > [I like Louis C.K., Chris Rock. Old schools like Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-like-louis-c-k-chris-rock-old-schools-like-richard-pryor-and-eddie/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [Eddie Murphy was my guy for a long time. My first exposure to 'SNL' was his 'Best Of' VHS, and I would watch it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taran-killam/eddie-murphy-was-my-guy-for-a-long-time-my-first-exposure-to-snl-was/) [Taran Killam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taran-killam/) > [You can't have Alan Partridge as Eddie the Eagle!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-the-eagle/you-can-t-have-alan-partridge-as-eddie-the-eagle/) [Eddie the Eagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-the-eagle/) > [I'm not sure if it's fair to call it a 'fairy tale,' but I really loved 'Mulan,' the Disney film. It was my favorite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-cole/i-m-not-sure-if-it-s-fair-to-call-it-a-fairy-tale-but-i-really-loved/) [Lily Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-cole/) > [Doing 'Malcolm and Eddie' was probably the foremost miserable years of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-jamal-warner/doing-malcolm-and-eddie-was-probably-the-foremost-miserable-years-of/) [Malcolm-Jamal Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-jamal-warner/) > [I was raised with Eddie Fisher as a father and Connie Stevens as a mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joely-fisher/i-was-raised-with-eddie-fisher-as-a-father-and-connie-stevens-as-a/) [Joely Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joely-fisher/) > [Eddie Jackson - that's my dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-mack/eddie-jackson-that-s-my-dog/) [Khalil Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-mack/) > [Eddie Howe was the most tactical manager I have worked under.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/eddie-howe-was-the-most-tactical-manager-i-have-worked-under/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [“See the TURTLE, ain't he keen? All things serve the fuckin Beam.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/see-the-turtle-ain-t-he-keen-all-things-serve-the-fuckin-beam/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [I wouldn't mind meeting Eddie Van Halen. That would be great. We need to invite him to a race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-unser/i-wouldn-t-mind-meeting-eddie-van-halen-that-would-be-great-we-need/) [Al Unser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-unser/) > [Art should be witty, like a good Eddie Murphy movie, to make your life a little easier and better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-quigley/art-should-be-witty-like-a-good-eddie-murphy-movie-to-make-your-life/) William Quigley > [“You make me feel alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/you-make-me-feel-alone/) [Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/) > [We were big Saturday Night Live and Eddie Murphy fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/illeana-douglas/we-were-big-saturday-night-live-and-eddie-murphy-fans/) [Illeana Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/illeana-douglas/) > [“You want to see fast, we’l go into the bedroom and I’l show you fast but I’l show it to you slow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/you-want-to-see-fast-we-l-go-into-the-bedroom-and-i-l-show-you-fast/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“I hear the unmistakable sound of glass breaking and I start apologizing to no one, trying to pick it up again, but I can't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/i-hear-the-unmistakable-sound-of-glass-breaking-and-i-start/) [Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/) Browse all 63 Eddie quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt Vonnegut was to me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Moore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-that-s-what-kurt-vonnegut-was-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eddie" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-that-s-what-kurt-vonnegut-was-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/christopher-moore-353_eddie_as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-tha_295505.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As Richard Pryor was to Eddie Murphy, that's what Kurt Vonnegut was to me.” — Christopher Moore", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Moore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As Richard Pryor was to Eddie...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-that-s-what-kurt-vonnegut-was-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/as-richard-pryor-was-to-eddie-murphy-that-s-what-kurt-vonnegut-was-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```