Comedian Rudy Ray Moore, better known as Dolemite, has died in Akron, Ohio. He was 81.
According to Eurweb.com, comedienne Luenell, a friend of the family confirmed Moore’s death.
Moore, passed away Sunday from complications of diabetes.
He is best known as the title character and star in the 1975 film “Dolemite,” and its sequel, “The Human Tornado.” The persona was developed during his earlier stand-up comedy records.
Rudy Ray Moore was also known as the “king of the party records” and released many comedy records throughout the 1960s and 1970s, developing a style even more rude and explicit than contemporaries like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. This kept him off of television and major films, but cultivated an enduring fan base. He also guested on Big Daddy Kane’s CD Taste of Chocolate, released in 1990.
In 2008 Rudy Ray Moore reprised the character Petey Wheatstraw for the song “I live for the Funk” Featuring Blowfly and Daniel Jordan. This marked the first time Blowfly and Rudy have collaborated on the same record together, and the 30 year anniversary since the movie was filmed.
Moore began his entertainment career as an R&B singer and continued singing through his comedy career. He developed an interest in comedy in the Army after expanding on a singing performance for other servicemen.
Information from Eurweb.com contributed to this report.
