RICHARD PRYOR - STARS SAY GOODBYE TO PRYOR

RICHARD PRYOR's famous friends DIANA ROSS, PAULY SHORE, GEORGE LOPEZ and MONIQUE IMES-JACKSON paid their respects to the late comedian at his funeral on Saturday (17DEC05).

Pop legend Ross, who appeared alongside Pryor in the films THE WIZ and LADY SINGS THE BLUES, attended the private ceremony in the Hollywood Hills, and sang AMAZING GRACE with the star's family and friends.

She says, "I did hum a little."

Comedian MICHAEL EPPS, a close friend of Pryor's says, It was a sad and joyous occasion. It was the way I think Richard would have loved it to be, you know.

"He would have loved to have seen the laughter and the pain also."

Pryor died of a heart attack at his home in Encino, California on 10 December (05), nine days after celebrating his 65th birthday.

He had struggled with degenerative nervous system disease multiple sclerosis for the past 20 years.