Did Richard Pryor and Marlon Brando Have a s–ual Relationship?
Unraveling the Mystery
In a saga of speculation and uncertainty, the question lingers: did they or didn't they?
Ever since Quincy Jones ignited a firestorm in 2018 by suggesting that Richard Pryor and Marlon Brando shared a romantic involvement in the past, the online world has been abuzz with attempts to decipher whether the music legend's remarks were sincere or if he was unveiling a long-concealed truth.
As confirmations and refutations emerge from both Pryor and Brando's relatives, the enigma only deepens, shrouded in ambiguity.
While the absolute truth may forever remain elusive, a retrospective examination of both sides of the narrative sheds light on the sequence of events:
The Genesis
Jones was the initial voice alleging a romantic liaison between the iconic pair, disclosing to Vulture in an expansive interview that Brando had a penchant for intimacy with various individuals.
He went on to list a string of sensational assertions, implying insider knowledge on topics such as the identity of John F. Kennedy's assassin, his purported romance with Ivanka Trump, and Michael Jackson's alleged act of musical theft.
Pryor's Spouse Speaks Out
Jennifer Lee Pryor, the widow of Richard Pryor, corroborated the hearsay, affirming that her late husband had been candid about his bisexuality among friends and would not have been ashamed of the public revelation of their relationship.
She mentioned that the renowned comedian extensively chronicled his encounters with men in diaries, which she intends to publish later this year.
Reflecting on the era, Jennifer remarked, “It was the '70s!
Drugs were still good, especially quaaludes.
If you did enough cocaine, you'd engage in intimate activities with an inanimate object and serenade it with flowers at dawn.”
She expressed her belief that Pryor would find amusement in Jones spreading the news.
Pryor's Daughter Steps In
Subsequently, Rain, the daughter of Pryor and his second wife, Shelley Bonus, refuted the alleged affair in a fervent social media post, castigating both Jones and Pryor's widow as opportunists.
Challenging those who embraced Jones' unverified claims, Rain asserted, “Q, was once a brilliant music producer who is losing his mind, and decided to garner publicity for himself with a sensationalized interview; and because y'all think and equate Fame and Money with decency, you ate it up like thirsty dogs, as he spewed out a lie about my father who's not here to defend himself.”
Brando's Perspective Emerges
Brando's son also contradicted assertions of his father's intimacy with Pryor, expressing disappointment at the circulation of such unfounded rumors.
Miko, Brando's eldest living son, conveyed the family's dismay, stating, “The Marlon Brando family has heard the recent comments by Quincy Jones and we are disappointed that anyone would make such a wrongful comment about either Marlon Brando or Richard Pryor.”
Exploring Their Romantic Histories
Despite the provocative nature of the Brando-Pryor speculation, both men navigated tumultuous love lives during their respective eras.
Pryor, hailed as a trailblazing figure in stand-up comedy, underwent seven marriages with five different women.
His union with Jennifer marked both his fourth and seventh nuptials, characterized by a cycle of matrimony, separation, and eventual reunion until his passing in 2005.
Concurrently, Brando, celebrated as an eminent actor and s=x symbol, embarked on three marriages, numerous amorous dalliances, and fathered eleven offspring.
Candid about his bisexuality, he nonchalantly acknowledged his same-s=x encounters in a 1976 interview, adopting a carefree stance toward public perception.
In a realm where truth mingles with conjecture, the saga of Richard Pryor and Marlon Brando's alleged liaison persists as a riddle awaiting resolution, echoing the intricate tapestry of human relationships and the blurred boundaries of intimacy and fame.
