R.I.P. Dick Gregory

“I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that” - Dick Gregory

(Dick Gregory)

Dick Gregory was born as Richard Gregory on October 12th, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Gregory earned a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He set school records in track and field. In 1954 he was drafted into the US Army. While in the Army he got into comedy and entered several talent shows. In 1956 he returned to college. He then dropped out of college. He then moved to Chicago, IL and worked alongside other comics such as Nipsey Russell and Bill Cosby. Gregory spoke about social and racial issues in his comedy. In 1958 he opened a nightclub in Illinois. In 1959 Gregory landed a job as master of ceremonies at the Roberts Show Club. He worked in the US post office during the day and at night as a comedian.

(Gregory performing)

Also in 1959 he married Lillian Smith. He was then hired by Hugh Hefner at the Chicago Playboy Club. He then starred on the “Late Night Show Starring Jack Paar”. In the early 1960’s he became vegetarian. In 1963 he spoke in Selma, AL.

(Gregory in 1963)

In 1964 he protested against the Vietnam War and other social issues. In 1967 he ran for mayor of Chicago, IL.

(Gregory in 1967)

In 1968 he ran as a write in candidate for president of the US. In 1975 he appeared on “Goodnight America”.

(Gregory in 1975)

In 1978 he was apart of the National ERA March for Ratification and Extension. In 1979 he appeared at the Amandla Festival where Bob Marley, Patti LaBelle and others performed.

(Gregory (Left) and Bob Marley (Right))

In 1980 he traveled to Tehran, Iran to attempt to negotiate the US hostages' release. In 1984 he founded Health Enterprises, Inc.

(Gregory in 1984)

In 1985 he made a powdered diet mix. In 1998 Gregory spoke at the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with President Bill Clinton.

(Gregory (Left) with Richard Pryor (Right) in 1998)

In 1999 he was diagnosed with lymphoma. In 2003 Gregory and Cornel West wrote letters on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to Kentucky Fried Chicken's CEO, asking that the company improve their animal handling procedures.

(Gregory in 2003)

In 2006 he spoke at James Brown’s funeral. In 2010 he did a hunger strike against the official U.S. report about the attacks on September 11, 2001 and how they are false.

(Gregory in 2010)

In 2013 Gregory gave a speech at Bryn Mawr College. In 2016 a play was made about him.

(Gregory in 2016)

In 2017 he was hospitalized with a bacterial infection.

(Gregory in 2017)

On August 19th, 2017 Dick Gregory died due to heart failure. Take time to remember this great comedian today.

Albums by Dick Gregory

• “In Living Black and White” (1961)
• “East & West” (1961)
• “Dick Gregory Talks Turkey” (1962)
• “The Two Sides of Dick Gregory” (1963)
• “My Brother's Keeper” (1963)
• “Dick Gregory Running for President” (1964)
• “So You See... We All Have Problems” (1964)
• “Dick Gregory On:” (1969)
• “The Light Side: The Dark Side” (1969)
• “Dick Gregory's Frankenstein” (1970)
• “Live at the Village Gate” (1970)
• “At Kent State” (1971)
• “Caught in the Act” (1974)
• “The Best of Dick Gregory” (1997)
• “21st Century "State of the Union"” (2001)
• “You Don't Know Dick” (2016)

Books by Dick Gregory

• Nigger (1964)
• Write me in! (1968)

Films starring Dick Gregory

• Sweet Love, Bitter (1967) as Richie Stokes
• Panther (1995) as Rev. Slocum
• Children of the Struggle (1999) as Vernon Lee
• The Hot Chick (2002) as bathroom attendant

Videos of Dick Gregory

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkQ4OCNecXs  “Back in the Day/Dick Gregory 1962”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwKKHwrO3pM  “Dick Gregory reflects on the Civil Rights Movement”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej5FwzhUDcM  “Martin Lawrence 1st Amendment Stand Up: Dick Gregory”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M267xj8THk  “Dick Gregory At Comedy Arts Festival”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItJO7VOXe8w  “Dick Gregory - "They Killed Prince" (RBTV Exclusive)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpypmMXikZM  “Dick Gregory - On Michael Jackson and Tupac”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UofbZVTIYMU  “Dick Gregory presidential candidacy interview, 1968”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)