When Mike Epps was approached with the comedic role of a lifetime, he quickly sought the support of someone whose opinion mattered the most!
The comedian/actor was offered the chance to play legendary comic Richard Pryor in an upcoming film about jazz legend Nina Simone. However before accepting the role, Epps reached out to Pryor’s widow, Jennifer, for the ok.
Jennifer Pryor was very impressed by the gesture, saying:
“That was very sweet and respectful that he called me first. I am happy that they picked him. He is a real good guy.”
That “sweet and respectful” gesture might have actually been a smart career move on Epps’ part. According to TMZ, Jennifer Pryor was so touched by Epps’ call, that she is now considering him to play her late husband in an upcoming Richard Pryor biopic.
That Pryor movie is still in the works, but Jennifer is a producer on the film, and believes that Epps is one of the few comedian/actors capable of an “authentic portrayal” of Pryor.
One person who is NOT in the running whatsoever, is Eddie Murphy. Jennifer threw super shade on Murphy by comparing him to a white actor performing in blackface. She went on to say that Pryor would have never wanted Murphy to play him, but rather:
“He would want someone authentic like himself.”
Kudos to Epps though for landing the first of, hopefully, two great Pryor roles! Richard Pryor was a comic IDOL, and we can’t wait to see how Epps portrays him!
