About Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory (1932-2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic. He became popular among African-American communities in the southern United States with his no-holds-barred sets that poked fun at bigotry and racism. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he excelled at running and earned a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University, getting his start in comedy while serving in the United States Army. In 1961 he was spotted by Hugh Hefner at the black-owned Roberts Show Bar in Chicago and hired to work at the Chicago Playboy Club, a breakthrough that earned him coverage in Time and a guest spot on Jack Paar's show. His 1964 book Nigger has never been out of print. Gregory was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s, protesting the Vietnam War and racial injustice, and ran for Mayor of Chicago in 1967 and for president in 1968. He was ranked number 82 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all time.
Videos (15)
Videos 1 to 15 of 15.
9:22Bro Dick Gregory Unchained Alex Haley is a Fraud & 'Django' was BEtter than 'Roots'
577 views
13:09Dick Gregory 2017 ON Donald Trump & The Future Of Our Planet
505 views
1:24Dick Gregory On Slavery and Hurricanes
227 views
12:09Dick Gregory LESSONS FROM THE TRAYVON MARTIN TRAGEDY
124 views
11:25Dick Gregory On Michael Jackson and Tupac 2015
104 views
14:20Dick Gregory's Son Dr Christian On The Conspiracy Behind Dick Gregory's Death! 1
50 views
9:43Dick Gregory speaks at the Million Worker March 10 17 04
23 views
9:08Dick Gregory 20 days into his fast 1967 My Production
22 views
8:30Dick Gregory They Killed Prince 2016
18 views
12:29Dick Gregory I Am God You Are God Power in Fasting John Lennon 2016
12 views
14:06The Incomparable Dick Gregory
10 views
14:20Dick Gregory's Son Dr Christian On The Conspiracy Behind Dick Gregory's Death!
9 views
2:06Comedian, Activist Dick Gregory Talks Health
8 views
3:08Why We Fight How You Gonna Reform A Cop
7 views
12:02Dick Gregory @ Howard University 2012 Fundraising Event for Somalia PART 1
6 viewsGuest appearances (6)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring Dick Gregory.
Guest appearances 1 to 6 of 6.
1:00Performing with Dick Gregory
Steve Hofstetter
64.3K views
1:00Performing with Dick Gregory
Steve Hofstetter
7.1K views
0:36Imagine you just visiting a friend and Dick Gregory starts cooking you for no reason
Kevin Hart
1.9K views
0:48Inspired by the wisdom of legends like Dick Gregory and Paul Mooney
Marina Franklin
1.2K views
1:53Charlie Murphy, And Dick Gregory, We Honor You... We Miss You - DL Hughley
D.L. Hughley
524 views
1:16Ron Gregory Shares Story of Dick Gregory
Michael Colyar
265 viewsChannels on this page: Steve Hofstetter, Kevin Hart, Marina Franklin, D.L. Hughley, Michael Colyar
Frequently asked questions
Who was Dick Gregory?
Dick Gregory (1932-2017) was an American comedian, actor and writer who was also an activist and social critic.
What did Dick Gregory's comedy target?
His no-holds-barred sets poked fun at bigotry and racism, which made him popular with African-American communities in the southern United States.
How did Dick Gregory get his start in comedy?
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gregory was a gifted runner who went to Southern Illinois University on a track scholarship, and he first did comedy while serving in the United States Army.
What was Dick Gregory's big break?
In 1961 Hugh Hefner saw him at the Roberts Show Bar, a black-owned venue in Chicago, and hired him for the Chicago Playboy Club. That break was followed by coverage in Time and a guest spot on Jack Paar's show.
Did Dick Gregory run for office?
Yes. Alongside his protests against the Vietnam War and racial injustice, Gregory ran for Mayor of Chicago in 1967 and for president in 1968.
Where does Dick Gregory rank among stand-up comedians?
He appears at number 82 in the Comedy Central ranking of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of all time.
