People who start life the way Richard Pryor did are not supposed to become superstars. From his humble beginnings in a Peoria, Illinois, whorehouse, Pryor found something inside himself that caught a spark with audiences and led him to the top of the comedy pantheon.

This E! True Hollywood Story examines the life and trials of one of the most raw, raunchy and truthful comics ever to hold a microphone. He wanted to be Bill Cosby but became a sensation of his own making.

In this amazing Story, observe Pryor's pattern of failed relationships, his inability to stay faithful to one woman; see his string of children with multiple mothers; and watch, as each child is born, how Pryor flees in search of the chaos he learned in childhood and molded into his act.

Comedy greats like Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg and Jimmie Walker weigh in on the talent and tragedies of a man who angered the censors, challenged his audiences and took his personalized brand of comedy right into the faces of the American public.

Learn of Pryor's lifelong battle with drugs and alcohol and how he nearly took his own life while freebasing cocaine. Follow his tragic battle with multiple sclerosis, a disease he actually credits for extending his life.

Now, before diving into Richard Pryor's True Hollywood Story, get to know him a little better with few fun facts.