Richard Pryor’s Daughter Remembers Late Comedian’s Advice for When She Found His Fame ‘Scary’ as a Little Girl (Exclusive)

Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, the daughter of the iconic comedian Richard Pryor, has opened up about her experience growing up alongside her famous father in her new memoir, *Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me*. The book provides a glimpse into her life as the third eldest of Pryor’s seven children and offers insights into the complexities of navigating childhood in the shadow of celebrity.

The 59-year-old history professor first met her father at the age of six and began to grasp the true nature of his fame when her family moved from Boston to Los Angeles. In a conversation with *PEOPLE*, Stordeur Pryor recalls the excitement of her childhood, punctuated by moments that felt both glamorous and grounding. “I remember he took us to see a show at The Schubert with Sammy Davis Jr. And we got to dress up. I also attended the Oscars as a little girl,” she reminisced, adding that witnessing her father’s performances was always a thrilling experience.

Despite the frenzy that often accompanies stardom, Stordeur Pryor revealed that her father’s approachable and down-to-earth nature provided a protective barrier against the chaotic aspects of fame. “He never made me feel like we were to be treated differently,” she explained. In her book, she describes how her father resonated particularly with the Black community, who often acknowledged him in public with familiar shouts of, “What up, Rich?” He would respond with a friendly wave, reinforcing the connection he shared with his fans.

Stordeur Pryor has fond memories of how Richard handled interaction with his supporters. She recalled a moment from her childhood when the attention made her uneasy. “I told him, ‘I don’t like that. That’s scary.’ He replied, ‘The only thing to worry about is when they stop,’” she said, reflecting on the profound impact of his words. “I took that to heart. He appreciated that people appreciated him and was humble both on stage and off.”

Her upbringing saw stark contrasts, flipping between her father’s lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles and her mother’s more modest life as a secretary. Stordeur Pryor describes her reality as feeling “dramatic and shocking,” as her experiences oscillated between the opulence of her father’s life—complete with first-class vacations—and the struggles her mother faced to provide for their family. “I literally lived in two different worlds,” she mentions, evoking the imagery of *Alice in Wonderland* to illustrate her journey of navigating diverse environments and characters.

Reflecting on her relationship with her father, Stordeur Pryor describes it as both “dizzying and exciting.” She admits her feelings for him were profound from their very first encounter. “I loved him from the minute I saw him,” she said. “I pretty much felt that way until he died. I wanted to connect with him and know I was enough for him.” Her connection with Richard, while filled with joy, was also layered with complexity, revealing moments of deep engagement and creativity contrasted with the challenges that arose.

In her memoir, she explores the duality of her father’s personality. “He was an amazing person,” she noted, highlighting the fun he brought into their lives. Yet, she does not shy away from acknowledging that there were less joyous aspects to being his daughter. “There were some unfun things, of course,” she adds, suggesting that being part of Richard Pryor’s life was often as terrifying as it was rewarding.

*Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me* is now available for purchase. Through her memoir, Stordeur Pryor offers an intimate portrayal of growing up in the spotlight, balancing admiration for her father’s artistic brilliance with the realities of their familial relationship. Her narrative adds a personal touch to the legacy of Richard Pryor, illuminating the many facets of a man whose influence continues to resonate in comedy and beyond.