Dick Gregory, Activist, Comedian, and Icon Passes at 84

Dick Gregory, one of the nation’s comedic treasures who combined civil rights with humor and social commentary, has died at the age of 84 in Washington D.C. In the late 50s, Dick Gregory was an up and coming comedian who had made a name for himself working the small town circuit, noticed by Hugh Hefner and others for his biting humor and social commentary.

His big break came in the early 60s as he received a call from the Tonight Show starring Jack Paar. When the booking coordinator called Dick, he hung up on the executive. A few minutes later Jack Paar himself called asking why he didn’t want to take the call. Dick told Jack that black guests were never invited to sit on the couch after they performed; Jack promised if he’d appear on the show, he’d sit. The rest is television history. Dick paved the way for other African American comedians, often times Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor would credit Dick for opening the doors for black entertainers.

Dick Gregory was a civil rights activist, one-time presidential candidate (he received over 50,000 write in votes) and ardent protestor of the Vietnam War. There may never another Dick Gregory, gone at the age of 84.