Richard Pryor’s Uninsurable Reputation in ‘Blazing Saddles’ Casting Controversy

In the early 1970s, Richard Pryor was making a name for himself as one of the most influential voices in American comedy. Known for his provocative humor and candid discussions about race relations in America, Pryor was also venturing into film and television as a writer and actor. He almost secured a role that could have propelled him to greater heights, but according to the film’s director, was considered uninsurable by the studio.

Pryor’s early engagements in Hollywood were marked by attempts to adapt to various roles. He worked as a writer for the famous sitcom «Sanford & Son» and on «Lily,» a special featuring Lily Tomlin, which won an Emmy. Pryor also appeared in films such as «The Mack» and «Lady Sings the Blues,» while releasing comedy albums with titles that remain controversial even now. During this time, Pryor caught the attention of Mel Brooks, the legendary comedy figure behind «Get Smart» and «The 2,000 Year Old Man» sketch.

In 1974, as Brooks was assembling his first spoof, «Blazing Saddles,» he wanted Pryor to play the lead role of ‘Black’ Bart, a railroad worker turned sheriff in a frontier town. However, Brooks has claimed that Warner Brothers refused to cast Pryor, citing insurance concerns due to his previous legal troubles. Brooks recounted to NPR while promoting his memoir, «All About Me,» in 2022 that the studio was resolute against Pryor, quoting them as saying, «No, under no circumstances. We can’t get any insurance on Richard Pryor.» Faced with this, Brooks considered abandoning the project.

Pryor, however, advised against such a move, encouraging Brooks to find another actor for the role. Eventually, Broadway star Cleavon Little was cast as Bart, while Pryor joined the project as part of the writing team, alongside Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, and Andrew Bergman. Brooks admitted that although he initially wanted Pryor to contribute to Bart’s dialogue, Pryor related more to the character of Mongo, a role played by former NFL star Alex Karras.

The film enjoyed immense success, earning $119 million and securing three Academy Award nominations. Despite this, Brooks’ narrative of the casting process has faced skepticism over the years. No executive from Warner Brothers has authenticated Brooks’ claims about Pryor’s insurability issues. Director Michael Schultz suggested that Brooks wanted full credit for the film, prompting Pryor’s departure, while Pryor’s biographer, David Henry, noted Pryor’s surprise upon learning he wouldn’t be featured on-screen.