Rudy Ray Moore

Date of Birth: March 17, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: October 19, 2008

Biography

Rudy Ray Moore was an American comedian, musician, singer, film actor, and film producer, best known for his comedic character “Dolemite.” Born on March 17, 1927, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Moore grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He first gained attention for his raunchy comedy routines that often included rhyming poetry. Moore’s career took off in the 1970s with the release of his independently produced comedy albums, which featured his alter ego, Dolemite, a pimp with a penchant for kung-fu and rhyming insults. Moore transitioned to film with “Dolemite” in 1975, which became a cult classic and spawned several sequels. His work has been credited with influencing the blaxploitation genre and has inspired generations of comedians and rappers. Moore continued to perform and produce films until his death on October 19, 2008, in Akron, Ohio, at the age of 81. His legacy was further cemented by the 2019 Netflix film “Dolemite Is My Name,” in which Eddie Murphy portrayed Moore.

5 Interesting Facts about Rudy Ray Moore

1. Rudy Ray Moore was known as the “Godfather of Rap” for his rhyming style, which influenced early hip-hop artists.

2. His character Dolemite is often cited as a cultural icon in the blaxploitation film genre.

3. Moore financed the production of his first film, “Dolemite,” by using his savings and borrowing money from friends.

4. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he entertained troops with his performances.

5. Moore was posthumously inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2019.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rudy Ray Moore

1. “Dolemite is my name, and fuckin’ up motherfuckers is my game!”

2. “I ain’t lying, and I ain’t playing.”

3. “The game is to be sold, not to be told.”

4. “I am the one that killed Monday, whooped Tuesday, put Wednesday in the hospital, called up Thursday to tell Friday not to bury Saturday on Sunday.”

5. “Rappin’ and rhyming is what I do best, and I’m the godfather of it all, no contest.”