Dick Gregory

Richard (Dick) Claxton Gregory was born October 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the second of six children. Dick Gregory is known as a comedian and activist. He grew up poor, with his father leaving his mother to raise the children alone. She worked long hours as a maid to make ends meet. Gregory was often teased by bullies which is where his comedy came from. Instead of allowing the bullies to crack jokes on him, he’d crack on himself until he received the reputation as the funny man. In high school Gregory ran track in high school, where he won a state championship in cross country. He also showed his first glimpse of activism by protesting segregated schools.

After high school Gregory attended Southern Illinois University (SIU). There he excelled in track as well. He set school records for the half mile and mile run. He was member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. In 1953 Gregory was named the most outstanding student athlete of the year. In 1954 Gregory was drafted to the U.S Army, where he started comedy and won multiple talent shows. Gregory was discharged after two years and returned to SIU. Eventually, he dropped out, feeling like the school only wanted him to run and not learn. Gregory relocated to Chicago to pursue his comedy career.

Gregory’s comedy material was based on current events, racial issues, segregation, and topics of that matter. During the day Gregory worked for the U.S Post Office and comedy clubs at night. In 1961 Gregory got his first break in Chicago, working at the Roberts Show Bar Club. There he performed in front of Hugh Hefner who then hired Gregory to work at the Playboy Club in place of another comedian. Not only was Gregory a comedian but an author and activist. In 1964 Gregory published his first book titled “Nigger” which was an autobiography. Some of his other books include No More Lies: The Myth and the Reality of American History (1971), Dick Gregory’s Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin’ With Nature (1973), the memoir Callus on My Soul (2000), and Defining Moments in Black History; Reading Between The Lies (2017).

In 1963 Gregory spoke in Selma Alabama for two hours, a couple of days before the voter registration drive known as “Freedom Day.” Gregory also spoke against the Vietnam War in 1964, also speaking on economic reform, and anti-drug use. Gregory also played a huge role in the search for the three boys that were a part of C.O.R. E, murdered in Mississippi. He used $25,000 of Hugh Hefner’s money to put a reward out for anyone that had information. The FBI then followed suit, as they were shamed by the people for not searching for the boys. 44 days later, the FBI found the missing boys. People often consider Gregory a conspiracy theorist although he was around for the events he has “conspiracies” about.

Gregory was diagnosed with lymphoma but denied chemotherapy and chose a natural treatment. He changed his diet but later the cancer went into remission and transitioned August 19, 2017.

Thank you, Richard “Dick” Gregory for your contributions to the culture!