Rudy Ray Moore, a raunchy 1970s comedian who played the title role of a flashy pimp in the movie Dolemite and influenced a generation of rappers, has died. He was 81.

Moore said he developed the style, later a feature of rap music, by listening to men sitting outside joints “drinking beer and lying and talking (expletive).”

Moore played the fast-talking pimp and title character in the 1975 film Dolemite. In later years Moore collaborated with 2 Live Crew, Big Daddy Kane and Snoop Dogg.

Moore’s other acting credits during the Blaxploitation era of black action films included The Human Tornado in 1976 and Disco Godfather in 1979.

Rudy Ray Moore reprised his role as Dolemite in Insane Clown Posse’s film Big Money Hustlas a 2000 comedy which had other pop icons like John G. Brennan (jerky boys and family guy) wrestler author Mick Foley and Fred Berry (rerun from what’s happening).

Tags: Dolemite