Dick gregory age
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Dick Gregory
American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic (1932–2017)
For persons of a similar name, see Richard Gregory (disambiguation).
Richard Claxton Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic.[1][2] His books were bestsellers. Gregory became popular among the African-American communities in the southern United States with his "no-holds-barred" sets, poking fun at the bigotry and racism in the United States. In 1961 he became a staple in the comedy clubs, appeared on television, and released comedy record albums.[3]
Gregory was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s, when he protested against the Vietnam War and racial injustice, and advocated for animal rights. He was arrested multiple times and went on many hunger strikes.[4] He later became a speaker and author.[3] Gregory died of heart failure, aged 84, at a Washington, D.C., hospital in August 2017.[3]
Early life
Gregory was born in St. Louis
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Dick Gregory
(1932-2017)
Who Was Dick Gregory?
Comedian Dick Gregory got his big break performing as a stand-up comedian at the Playboy Club in the early 1960s. Known for his sophisticated, layered humor that took on racial issues of the day, Gregory became a comedy headliner and a trailblazer for other African American comedians including Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby. He also participated as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement and eventually ran for political office. In his later years, he worked as a lecturer and pursued his interests in health and fitness.
Early Life
Richard Claxton Gregory was born the second of six children on October 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri. Gregory grew up in crippling poverty. His father abandoned the family, leaving his mother to work long hours as a maid to support the family. At an early age, Gregory found the power of comedy to defend himself against childhood bullies. “They were going to laugh anyway, but if I made the jokes they’d laugh with me instead of at me,” he wrote in his 1964 autobiography. “After a while, I could say a
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Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory
1964 autobiography by Dick Gregory
First hard cover edition | |
| Author | Dick Gregory, with Robert Lipsyte |
|---|---|
| Subject | African American culture, Asian American culture |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Publisher | E. P. Dutton h/b Pocket Books p/b |
Publication date | September 1964 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 209 |
| Followed by | Write Me In! (1968) |
The autobiography of comedian and social activist Dick Gregory, co-authored with Robert Lipsyte, nigger was originally published in September 1964 by E. P. Dutton, and has since 1965 been reprinted numerous times in an edition available through Pocket Books, altogether selling more than one million copies to date.[1] The book has never been out of print since its publication.[2] Gregory continued his life story in two subsequent books, Up From Nigger and Callus On My Soul. Gregory earned a $200,000 advance from the book.[3]
Origins
It was written during the American Civil Rights Movement. Gregory comments on his choice
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