Quincy Jones, the renowned music producer, caused a stir in 2018 with his candid interviews, where he delved into his experiences in the entertainment industry and dropped some shocking revelations about celebrities.
One of the bombshells he revealed was the claim that Marlon Brando and Richard Pryor had engaged in a romantic relationship—an assertion that initially seemed unbelievable.
However, Jennifer Lee Pryor, Pryor’s widow, later confirmed Jones’ statement, remarking, “Quincy started pouring the tea and I had to take that teakettle away from him.”
Nevertheless, amidst the controversy, individuals close to both Pryor and Brando have stepped forward and refuted the existence of any affair between the two iconic figures.
Let’s explore the alleged connection between these two men and delve into the conflicting accounts.
During a 2018 interview with Vulture, Jones opened up about his close friendship with Brando, describing him as the most captivating individual one could encounter.
Jones boldly claimed, “He was the most charming [expletive] you ever met.
He’d [expletive] anything. Anything!
He’d [expletive] a mailbox. James Baldwin. Richard Pryor. Marvin Gaye.”
Seeking clarification, the interviewer, David Marchese, asked, “He slept with them?”
to which Jones confidently responded, “Come on, man. He did not give a [expletive]!”
In another interview with GQ, published around the same time, Jones further emphasized the bond he shared with Brando.
The article recounted how, during Jones’ challenging period in the 1980s, Brando generously offered him solace on his private island in Tahiti.
When asked about their activities together, Jones simply stated, “Everything.
Party our [expletive] off.”
Following the release of Jones’ revelations, Lee Pryor, Richard Pryor’s wife, stepped forward to address the comments regarding Brando.
According to TMZ, she expressed that Pryor would find Jones’ statement amusing and bear no shame about it.
Lee Pryor humorously remarked, “It was the ’70s!
Drugs were still good, especially quaaludes.
If you did enough cocaine, you’d [expletive] a radiator and send it flowers in the morning.”
Providing further insight into the relationship, Lee Pryor shared her perspective on her late husband’s s**ual involvement with Brando during her own interview with Vulture.
She described it as a one-time occurrence that likely transpired after a night of revelry together.
Additionally, she mentioned that Pryor’s diaries, which she intended to publish, contained detailed accounts of his “bisexual experiences.”
“He really discusses his bisexuality in a very nuanced and profound way,” she explained.
“I should say his bisexual experiences.
He didn’t consider himself bisexual, but he was very open about his sexuality and never put a label on it.”
In 2019, amidst the release of the documentary I Am Richard Pryor, Lee Pryor clarified her stance on the matter to People magazine, stating that Pryor did not have an affair with Brando but rather had a “dalliance.”
She emphasized that it was not an ongoing romantic relationship but rather a casual encounter, similar to those he had with other men.
Lee Pryor emphasized that while Pryor preferred women, he was open to exploring experiences beyond conventional boundaries.
The alleged affair between Marlon Brando and Richard Pryor continues to be a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike.
