Dick Gregory Dead At Age 84

RIP Dick Gregory

Born Richard Claxton Gregory on October 12, 1932 in St. Louis, he transitioned today at the age of 84. There is no list that can pay due honor to his accomplishments and inspirations.

As a teenager, Dick Gregory earned a track scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale but his education was cut short when he was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1954. His commanding officer noticed that Dick had a knack for joking, and Dick entered and won several military talent shows. In 1956 after his discharge, Dick returned to the University but then dropped out saying that the university “didn’t want me to study, they wanted me to run.”

As a young man, Dick moved to Chicago and became part of a new generation of Black comedians along with Nipsey Russel. They broke with stereotypical Black entertainers by drawing on current events, including racial issues. As…

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