On June 9, 1980, Richard shocked the world when he poured 151 proof rum on his shirt and set himself ablaze with a cigarette lighter while free-basing cocaine. In a. Watch a video that recounts the day Richard Pryor set himself on fire in 1980 while freebasing cocaine. Learn how the incident changed his life and career and its impact on.
Richard Pryor Fire
LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Comedian Richard Pryor told doctors he was mixing cocaine with ether - a new drug craze known as "freebasing" - and the materials exploded in.