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If so, this is a major YIKES!
By Bernadette Giacomazzo — Written on Aug 31, 2019
He once was one of the most respected voices in comedy and was credited for Richard Pryor's success. But now, there's a new accusation out that could forever tarnish his name. Who is Paul Mooney?
Let's look at what we know about this comedic legend.
1. His real name is Paul Gladney.
According to his official autobiography, Paul Mooney was born Paul Gladney in Shreveport, Louisiana. He got his stage name, Paul Mooney, after his grandmother coined the nickname for him. Reportedly, she was inspired by the Scarface character Paul Muni.
2. Paul Mooney got his start writing jokes for Richard Pryor.
In 1972, while he was working with a circus, Paul Mooney got recruited to write jokes for Richard Pryor, specifically for his new show, The Richard Pryor Show. Mooney helped comedians like Robin Williams and Tim Reid get their "big break."
3. He was recently booed by his comedy audience.
"Some in the crowd began to boo and grumble as Mooney’s set continued, particularly when he repeated the joke, “I Am Not Your Negro.” The boos were worse when Mooney launched into a bit about voting for Donald Trump and being happy that America would get what it deserved," reported Dayton.com.
4. Paul Mooney became a Twitter trending topic when Richard Pryor's former bodyguard made a shocking accusation.
In a recent video posted to YouTube, Rashon Khan — who claimed he was Richard Pryor's spiritual advisor — claimed that Paul Mooney had slept with Richard Pryor's son. Khan went on to say that when Pryor found out about it, he threatened to take out a hit on Paul Mooney. However, shortly after he wanted to take out the hit on Paul Mooney, Richard Pryor set himself on fire, thus saving Paul Mooney's life.
5. Richard Pryor Jr. suggested that Rashon Khan was telling the truth.
"Whatever happened in my life, it happened when I was young. Way before the '80s," Pryor Jr. said when asked about the allegations against Mooney. The cameraman then questioned whether the sexual relationship was consensual, to which Richard Jr. replied: "How can any relationship be consensual if I was a teenager?" reported Complex Magazine.
6. Paul Mooney denies the claims.
"There is no validity to Rashon Kahn's statement as it relates to Mr. Paul Mooney," Paul Mooney's representative said in a statement. Despite his statement, Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor is singing a different tune. She wrote on Twitter that the allegations raised by Kahn are indeed valid. “TRUE-RP jr. confirmed this at the luncheon I gave after Richard’s funeral service,” she tweeted. “he announced it to the entire restaurant full of guests! I have it on tape,” reported Vibe Magazine.
Well...yikes indeed!
Bernadette Giacomazzo is an editor, writer, and photographer whose work has appeared in People, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly, The Source, XXL, HipHopDX, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, and more. She is also the author of The Uprising series. For more information about Bernadette Giacomazzo, click here.