EXCLUSIVE: Oprah to Play Richard Pryor's Grandma in Lee Daniels' Biopic

By
ETONLINE

Oprah is headed back to the big screen!

ET can exclusively confirm that Oprah, 60, will be playing Richard Pryor's grandmother, Marie Carter, in Lee Daniels' highly anticipated biopic on the legendary comedian.

Pryor, who died from a heart attack in 2005, had a notoriously complicated relationship with his grandmother. Pryor grew up in a house of prostitution run by Marie, when his mother Gertrude walked out on the family when he was 10 years old.

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Oprah recently confirmed on her Instagram that actor Mike Epps, 43, will play Pryor, also hinting at her involvement in the film as well.

"@theoriginalbigdaddy, @eppsie, and me just finished a great 1st read session. #RichardPryorMovie," Oprah posted on her Instagram Sunday.

This of course isn't the first time Oprah his worked with Daniels. She memorably starred in Lee Daniels' The Butler last year, and co-executive produced Precious alongside Tyler Perry in 2009.

Epps beat out big names such as Nick Cannon, Marlon Wayans and Michael B. Jordan to play Pryor.

No word yet on who will play Pryor's widow Jennifer Lee Pryor, who's also producing the film, though rumor has it that Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are both frontrunners for the role.

Mike Epps Confirmed to Play Richard Pryor

Though things obviously didn't work out for Nick Cannon, check out the America's Got Talent host talking about his desire to play Richard Pryor in the video below.