Dick Gregory, Legendary Comedian & Civil Rights Activist, Dies at 84
Dick Gregory has died at 84.
His son, Christian Gregory, announced the news via Instagram this weekend, confirming Dick had been hospitalized for a week and passed in Washington D.C.
“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,” Christian said in a statement. “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time. More details will be released over the next few days.”
Dick became known in the 1960s for his jokes about racism in America, and became of the first black comedians to cross over and appeal to both white and black audiences. He was also the first black comedian to sit on the couch of Jack Paar’s Tonight Show.
Read more at People magazine.