Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
“A comic with one eye on his audience and another eye on the truth.”
Synopsis
Although Jo Jo Dancer has achieved success as a stand-up comedian, he hasn't found happiness. After receiving severe burns in a narcotics-related incident, Jo Jo remains in a coma, and, while in this state, he looks back on his life. Drifting off into memories of his troubled childhood, Jo Jo revisits his youth, recalling his eventual rise to fame and the decadence that followed. As he considers his existence, he must decide if he wants to go on living or not.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
1990 - Cable Promo for 'Jo Jo Dancer Your Life is Calling'
Type: Trailer • Published 2018-09-10
Top Cast
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Richard Pryor
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Debbie Allen
Michelle
Art Evans
Arturo
Fay Hauser
Grace
Barbara Williams
Dawn
Carmen McRae
Grandmother
Paula Kelly
Satin Doll
Diahnne Abbott
Mother
Scoey Mitchell
Father
Billy Eckstine
Johnny Barnett
Tanya Boyd
Alicia
Wings Hauser
Cliff
E'Lon Cox
Little Jo Jo
Michael Ironside
Detective Lawrence
J.J. Barry
Sal
Mike Genovese
Gino
Marlene Warfield
Sonja
Virginia Capers
Emma Ray
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 2, 1986
Wide Cinema Exhibition
January 14, 2025
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$20M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$18M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0.9x
-$2M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Richard Pryor
- Screenplay & Story
- Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, Rocco Urbisci
- Original Score
- Herbie Hancock
- Original Title
- Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Budget
- $20M
- Worldwide Gross
- $18M
- Production Studios
- Columbia Pictures, Delphi V
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, Rocco Urbisci
Herbie Hancock
John A. Alonzo
Richard Pryor
Department Leadership Roster
Richard Pryor
Screenplay
Paul Mooney
Screenplay
Rocco Urbisci
Screenplay
Richard Pryor
Director
John DeCuir Jr.
Production Design
Ronald G. Oliney
Stunt Coordinator
Richard Pryor
Producer
John A. Alonzo
Director of Photography
Marilyn Vance
Costume Design
Herbie Hancock
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
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The Complete Criterion Collection. The Criterion Collection is a video distribution company that sells 'important classic and contemporary films' in editions that offer the highest technical quality. This list contains only the featured films released on DVD, BluRay and 4K Criterion releases — no supplements are included. Organized by spine number with the newest releases first. CC标准收藏完整收录版： 收录标准收藏（Criterion Collection）发行的重要经典及当代电影。仅包含正片（涵盖 DVD、蓝光及 4K 版本），已排除花絮补充内容。按 CC 发行编号倒序排列（最新发行在前）。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#214] Mangrove (2020) • [#215] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#216] Red, White and Blue (2020) • [#217] Alex Wheatle (2020) • [#486] Eight Hours Don’t Make a Day (1972) • [#647] Dekalog (1989) • [#944] World on a Wire (1973) • [#1187] Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) • [#1338] Fanny and Alexander (1984) • [#1341] Tanner '88 (1988) • [#1371] Scenes from a Marriage (1973) *注：以下影片因 TMDB 尚未收录，暂不在此片单中展示：* • [#531] First (2012) • [#1699] Ulysse (1983) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-11 07:39:08 UTC+8)*
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling about?
Although Jo Jo Dancer has achieved success as a stand-up comedian, he hasn't found happiness. After receiving severe burns in a narcotics-related incident, Jo Jo remains in a coma, and, while in this state, he looks back on his life. Drifting off into memories of his troubled childhood, Jo Jo revisits his youth, recalling his eventual rise to fame and the decadence that followed. As he considers his existence, he must decide if he wants to go on living or not.
Who directed Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling?
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling was directed by Richard Pryor.
Who stars in Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling?
The principal cast of Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling includes Richard Pryor, Debbie Allen, Art Evans, Fay Hauser, Barbara Williams.
When was Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling released and how long is it?
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling was released in 1986 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
What was the box office and production budget of Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling?
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling had a reported production budget of $20M and grossed $18M at the worldwide box office (0.9 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling was composed by Herbie Hancock.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling?
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling holds official age classifications: US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).