Dick Gregory
American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic (1932–2017) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Dick Gregory?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Richard Claxton Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic.[1][2] His writings were best sellers. 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]
Dick Gregory | |
---|---|
Born | Richard Claxton Gregory (1932-10-12)October 12, 1932 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Died | August 19, 2017(2017-08-19) (aged 84) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1954–2017 |
Spouse |
Lillian Smith (m. 1959) |
Children | 11 |
Comedy career | |
Medium |
|
Subject(s) |
|
Notable works and roles | In Living Black and White (1961) Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory (1964) Write Me In! (1968) |
Website | www |
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]