Comedian and civil rights activist, Dick Gregory, died on Saturday due to heart failure. He was 84. His son, Christian Gregory, confirmed his passing via a statement.
“It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr. Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, DC. The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
According to an August 17 statement from his son, Gregory was recently hospitalised.
Gregory began his career as a comedian while serving in the military in the mid 1950s. Regarded as the first African-American comic to perform regularly in front of white audiences, Gregory appeared on top TV talk shows of the 1960s and ’70s.
Gregory attributed the launch of his career to Hugh Hefner, who watched him perform at Herman Roberts Show Bar. Based on that performance, Hefner hired Gregory to work at the Chicago Playboy Club as a replacement for comedian “Professor” Irwin Corey.
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Early in his career, Gregory was offered an engagement on Tonight Starring Jack Paar. He was number 82 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all time and had his own star on the St. Louis Walk of Fam.
His political activism also dates back to the 60s, when he spoke for two hours on a public platform two days before the voter registration drive known as “Freedom Day” in the Civil Rights Movement. He was also an outspoken feminist.
He has also acted in a few Hollywood films, including House Party (1990) and The Hot Chick (2002).
He is survived by his wife, Lilian Smith and 11 children.
Pic: Salon.com