Cedric ‘The Entertainer’, D.L. Hughley, Eddie Griffin, George Lopez, and Mike Epps will come together to honor Richard Pryor in a historic, one--night--only show at the SMG managed Peoria Civic Center. “A Night For Richard” will take place on November 2nd to benefit the Richard Pryor statue and honor the Peoria native.
Lopez has spearheaded this event and invited some of the biggest names in comedy to join him in honoring Pryor. The seven--and--a--half foot clay carving by Peoria--based artist Preston Jackson will serve as the gateway to the city’s developing Warehouse District. It is slated for unveiling at the end of 2014.
George Lopez said, “Richard Pryor deserves a statue in his hometown. I am honored to be involved in making that happen.” Lopez’s career spans numerous standup specials and late night television appearances. He lent his voice to films such as Rio, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Smurfs, and their sequels. And he also starred in and produced his own sitcom, “George Lopez” which ran for six seasons on ABC and hosted late night talk show “Lopez Tonight” on TBS.
The all--star line up includes: Cedric ‘The Entertainer’, D.L. Hughley, Eddie Griffin, and Mike Epps. Cedric the Entertainer is an actor and game show host, best known for co--starring along with Harvey on “The Steve Harvey Show” and starring as Eddie in the Barbershop films. Hughley was a member of The Original Kings of Comedy, a correspondent for The Jay Leno Show, host of D.L. Hughley Breaks The News on CNN and the original host of BET’s ComicView. Eddie Griffin appeared on the big screen in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Scary Movie 3, John Q, and Armageddon to name a few. Griffin performed on Russell Simmons’ “Def Jam Comedy,” many standup specials and starred in hit comedy series “Malcolm and Eddie” he even wrote and produced four episodes, one of which featured his mentor, Richard Pryor. Mike Epps got his big break as ‘Day--Day’ in Next Friday and Friday After Next. Epps has also appeared in Hangover and Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins in addition to voicing ‘Boog’ in Open Season 2 and ‘Sonny’ in Dr. Dolittle 2.
Source: Peoria Civic Center
