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Rudy Ray Moore, comedian and filmmaker of low-budget films of the 1970’s, died at the age of 81 on Sunday in Akron, Ohio. Moore’s death was attributed to complications from diabetes, his Web site reported. This photo of Moore was shot in 2005 in Las Vegas.
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Moore, who called himself “The Godfather of Rap,” influenced many rappers and comedians with his lyrical wordplay and profane stand-up routines.
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Moore’s films were panned by critics but became modern-day cult classics.
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Moore appears for the presentation of two “Dolemite” movies during the FantAsia Film Festival in Montreal in 1999.
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Moore is best known for his leading role as a pimp in the 1975 low-budget film “Dolemite.” Other Moore movies include: “The Human Tornado,” “Petey Wheatstraw” and “The Monkey Hu$tle.”
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Reportedly, Moore had recently finished work on “The Dolemite Explosion” and an album of soul ballads called “Let Me Sing To You Before I Drift Away” with his daughter Rusty.
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