When it comes to legendary stories in the world of television, few tales capture the imagination quite like the rumored affair between broadcasting icon Barbara Walters and the legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Recently, on her talk show Sherri, comedian Sherri Shepherd reunited with her former The View cohost, Joy Behar, to revisit this juicy piece of showbiz history. It all started with comedian Paul Mooney, who more than a decade ago dropped a bombshell, claiming he caught Walters and Pryor in a compromising situation.
Recalling the moment with Joy Behar, 81, during the October 11 episode, Sherri Shepherd, now 56, couldn’t help but laugh as she recounted the details. “Paul Mooney said he walked in on them, he walked in on them,” Sherri exclaimed. “That’s what he said, he looked through the door and … don’t act like you don’t remember!” The room erupted in laughter, but there was a hint of nostalgia in the air as the two women dove into this long-buried story.
Keeping Secrets Was No Easy Task
Sherri went on to explain the challenge of keeping the rumor under wraps, especially for someone as outspoken as herself. “The next day, Barbara walks in and you say, ‘So you’re schlepping Richard Pryor, huh?’” she joked, reminiscing about the days when she first joined the team. The tension was palpable, but Sherri’s humor managed to lighten the mood.
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Barbara Walters, always the professional, handled the situation with her signature poise. According to Sherri, Walters’s reaction was unforgettable. “Barbara’s head swiveled like that, and she said, ‘Who told you that?’ and I’m sitting there, like, I had just got this job,” Sherri recounted. The room erupted in laughter once again, but there was an undeniable respect for Walters’s ability to maintain her composure under pressure.
A Legacy of Mutual Respect
Though Walters never publicly confirmed the relationship, she did reflect on her professional interactions with Pryor over the years. In a 2002 interview, Walters spoke fondly of Pryor, acknowledging his brilliance and the challenges he faced. “He’s fascinating because he’s more than a comedian,” Walters said. “I interviewed him four times. The second time was after he’d set himself on fire. The third was when he admitted to me that he’d set himself on fire. I’m touched by Richard Pryor because I saw this brilliant man self-destruct.”
Walters’s interviews with Pryor were legendary in their own right, capturing moments of vulnerability and raw honesty that few others could elicit. Her ability to connect with her subjects, even those as complex as Pryor, was a testament to her skills as a journalist and interviewer.
Remembering Barbara Walters: A Trailblazer in Journalism
Barbara Walters passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. In the last few years of her life, she lived quietly in New York City, away from the spotlight. Her representative shared a heartfelt statement at the time, saying, “Barbara Walters passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She lived her life with no regrets. She was a trailblazer, not only for female journalists but for all women.”
Her legacy was celebrated by the The View cohosts, both past and present, who came together to honor their friend and mentor. Joy Behar summed it up perfectly during the broadcast, saying, “We knew her better than anyone I think. She was the original role model for everybody else.”
