ORIGINAL COMEDY KING
DOLEMITE
HOSPITALIZED

Los Angeles - Rudy Ray Moore, aka Dolemite, aka Petey Wheatstraw, the Devil's Son-in-Law, has been hospitalized in Inglewood, CA.  Suffering from a serious undisclosed illness, the 80-year old original comedy king is in good spirits in the Intensive Care Unit. He is requesting the good thoughts and prayers of his many fans locally and around the globe.

Rudy Ray Moore is a living legend and a cultural treasure to the black community. Comedian, singer, film actor, and film producer  he is a an icon best known as Dolemite, the uniquely articulate character from the 1975 film  Dolemite, and its sequel, The Human Tornado. The persona was developed during his earlier stand-up comedy records.
 
Heralded as the "king of the party records" Moore released many comedy records throughout the 1960's and 1970's developing a style even more rude and explicit than contemporaries like Redd Foxx. He was a forerunner to Richard Pryor. This kept him off of television and major films, but cultivated an enduring fan base.  Moore actually began as a singer and continued singing through his comedy career.

In the true spirit of his alter ego, Dolemite, Rudy Ray Moore sends this message from his hospital bed, "Steve Harvey and others have used the title "The Kings of Comedy" but I am the true king! They never paid me any respect, the youngsters you know, but that's ok, because I'm still standing! It was Red Fox and then I and Slappy White."

Foster Corder, long time friend and manager of Moore is hoping to honor Moore while he is still alive. Foster directed and produced the DVD/ video "The  Legend of Dolemite," in 1995 starring Paul Mooney, LaWanda Page, Ice-T, Lady Reed, Eddie Griffin, and  Mike D among others.    

Corder, who recently made headlines per his pending litigation against Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer and the National Geographic Channel offers this, "Rudy is still funny, even at  80 in intensive care! All he can talk about is getting back on the road. We discussed a tribute that he wants all his rapper fans and other celebrity friends to take part in. Everyone will hear more from me later on that. But it's a very, very funny idea!  In the meantime, however, let's pray for the king and his good health."

Parties interested in the Dolemite tribute can reach out to Corder at (626) 393-9069 or at fosterphotoplay@yahoo.com .