U.S. comedian Richard Pryor, fighting multiple sclerosis, has lost the use of his voice, his sister says.

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Pryor's sister Jennifer revealed on a U.S. TV appearance that her brother, who has been battling the debilitating ailment since 1986, can no longer speak, the World Entertainment Network said Thursday.

Pryor, 64, was forced to stop acting after appearing in 1997 movie "Lost Highway."

The comedian's sister also said she thinks her brother tried to kill himself in 1981 when he was thought to have set himself on fire accidentally.

But, Jennifer said, "No, no, it was not an accident. I think Richard wanted to take his life."