Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. But, similar to the late Patrice O’Neal, Mooney’s reputation among other comedians is impeccable. Just looking at Twitter when the news broke of his passing and you’ll see your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian acknowledge Mooney’s influence on their career. The Roast Of Richard Pryor featuring Paul Mooney, John Witherspoon and several other legends. #RIPPaulMooneypic.twitter.com/oVjxvAiF2Z— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) May 19, 2021 Born Paul Gladney, the Louisiana native started his career as a circus ringmaster, which allowed him to cut the jokes that landed him a gig as a writer for Pryor. Mooney wrote material for several of Pryor’s now-classic routines, including his Grammy Award-winning 1982 album Live on the Sunset Strip. As a writer for "The Richard Pryor Show," an NBC variety show that lasted only four episodes in 1977, Mooney helped launch the careers of some of the funniest voices in comedy including