Dick Gregory
Comedian and activist who challenged racism and injustice.
Richard Claxton Gregory, born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a house cleaner mother and father, first gained notice as a standout athlete. At Sumner High School, he won the state cross-country championship in 1950, and later earned a track scholarship to Southern Illinois University, where he set school records in the half-mile and mile and was named outstanding student athlete of the year in 1953. After being drafted into the Army in 1954, his commanding officer noticed his talent for joking and encouraged him to perform; Gregory entered and won several talent shows while stationed at bases in Texas, Virginia, and Arkansas. Discharged in 1956, he briefly returned to SIU but dropped out, feeling the university only wanted him to run, not study.
Moving to Chicago, Gregory joined a new wave of Black comedians—including Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and Godfrey Cambridge—who rejected the minstrel tradition of stereotypical portrayals. Instead, he drew on current events and racial issues for his material, famously quipping about segregation. He worked day jobs at the U.S. Postal Service while performing at small Black-owned nightclubs on the Chitlin' Circuit. In 1961, Hugh Hefner saw him at Chicago's Roberts Show Bar and hired him to replace comedian Irwin Corey at the Playboy Club. That same year, Gregory made his New York debut at The Blue Angel, recording a live album there. His big break came when a one-night booking at the Playboy Club stretched to six weeks, earning him a mention in *Time* magazine and a guest spot on Jack Paar's show.
His comedy stirred controversy; the University of Tennessee administration labeled him an "extreme racist" and revoked a student invitation for him to speak. Students sued, and a federal court ruled the university's policy too broad and vague, leading to an "open speaker" system; Gregory performed there in 1970. In 1964, his autobiography *Nigger* was published and has never gone out of print. Gregory ran for mayor of Chicago in 1967 and for president as a write-in candidate in 1968 after losing the Peace and Freedom Party nomination to Eldridge Cleaver. He was arrested multiple times and undertook hunger strikes while protesting the Vietnam War, racial injustice, and advocating for animal rights. He died of heart failure at age 84 in a Washington, D.C., hospital in August 2017.
- died
- August 19, 2017, Washington, D.C.
- field
- Comedian, actor, writer, activist, social critic
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- No-holds-barred comedy on race, political activism, presidential campaign
Verified Timeline
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- Richard Claxton Gregory
- Birth Date
- 1932-10-12
- Birth Place
- St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
- Death Date
- 2017-08-19
- Death Place
- Washington, D.C., U.S.
- Occupation
- Comedian · actor · writer · activist · social critic
- Education
- Southern Illinois University
- Years Active
- 1954–2017
- Spouse
- Lillian Smith · 1959
- Children
- 11
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Gregory was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lucille and Presley Gregory. His college career was interrupted in 1954 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. At the urging of his commanding officer, he began performing comedy in the Army, winning talent shows. After his discharge in 1956, he briefly returned to SIU but dropped out, feeling the university wanted him to run, not study. He moved to Chicago to become a professional comedian, joining a new generation of black comedians who broke with minstrel traditions. His material drew on current events and racial issues, as in his joke: 'Segregation is not all bad. That year, he made his New York debut at The Blue Angel nightclub and recorded a live set. Gregory's comedy caused controversy; the University of Tennessee administration branded him an 'extreme racist' and revoked his invitation to speak, but students sued and won a court order that the university's policy was 'too broad and vague.' Gregory performed there in April 1970. In 1964, his book 'Nigger' was published and has never been out of print.
Reader's Guide
Dick Gregory’s comedy was defined by a confrontational, no-holds-barred style that directly challenged the bigotry and racism prevalent in the United States, a sharp departure from the minstrel tradition that had previously limited black performers to stereotypical roles. He drew his material from current events, particularly racial issues, and became a staple in comedy clubs after being discovered by Hugh Hefner in 1961, which led to television appearances and comedy record albums. His activism was equally central to his career; during the 1960s, he protested the Vietnam War and racial injustice, advocated for animal rights, and was arrested multiple times, also undertaking several hunger strikes. Gregory’s political engagement included running for mayor of Chicago in 1967 and for president in 1968 as a write-in candidate. His autobiography sold over a million copies, and his legacy as both a groundbreaking comedian and committed activist influenced later generations. He was recognized on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups and received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Did You Know?
- Gregory won the state cross-country championship in 1950 and set school records as a half-miler and miler at Southern Illinois University.
- He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954 and began performing comedy at the urging of his commanding officer, winning talent shows.
- His 1964 autobiography 'Nigger' has never been out of print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dick Gregory?
Richard Claxton Gregory (1932–2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and activist best known for his confrontational stand-up comedy and his deep involvement in civil rights and anti-war movements.
What was Dick Gregory's comedy style?
His sets were unapologetically direct, using humor to expose racism and social hypocrisy, and he built a following among Black audiences in the South before breaking into mainstream comedy clubs and television in the early 1960s.
What political activism is Dick Gregory known for?
He protested the Vietnam War, marched against racial injustice, went on hunger strikes, and was arrested multiple times for his civil disobedience throughout the 1960s.
Did Dick Gregory run for president?
In 1968 he launched a satirical presidential campaign designed to mock the political establishment and spotlight civil rights issues rather than to seriously seek office.
Why is Dick Gregory significant in comedy history?
He demonstrated that stand-up could be a genuine tool for political change, merging sharp social satire with direct activist work in a way that influenced generations of comedians who followed.
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