Dick Gregory

American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

Dick Gregory was an influential American comedian, activist, and social critic who used his platform to speak out against racism, injustice, and other social issues. He became a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and continued to advocate for various causes throughout his life.

About the Dick Gregory

Richard Claxton Gregorywas an American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic. His books were bestsellers. 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.

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. He later became a speaker and author. Gregory died of heart failure, aged 84, at a Washington, D.C., hospital in August 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dick Gregory was an American comedian, actor, writer, activist, and social critic who was known for his ,no-holds-barred, comedy that often tackled issues of racism and social injustice in the United States.

Dick Gregory was at the forefront of political activism in the 1960s, protesting against the Vietnam War, racial injustice, and advocating for animal rights. He was arrested multiple times and went on many hunger strikes to bring attention to these issues.

Dick Gregory’s comedy style was known for its ,no-holds-barred, approach, where he would poke fun at the bigotry and racism prevalent in the United States. This made him popular among the African-American communities in the southern United States.

Dick Gregory died of heart failure at the age of 84 in a Washington, D.C. hospital in August 2017.

Dick Gregory’s writings were best sellers, and he became a popular speaker and author later in his life, continuing to advocate for various causes.

In 1961, Dick Gregory became a staple in the comedy clubs, appeared on television, and released comedy record albums. He later became a speaker and author, using his platform to speak out against social and political issues.

Dick Gregory used his comedy platform to poke fun at the bigotry and racism in the United States, making him popular among African-American communities. He then leveraged his fame to become a prominent activist, protesting against the Vietnam War and racial injustice.

19 Quotes by Dick Gregory

  1. 1.

    We thought I was going to be a great athlete, and we were wrong, and I thought I was going to be a great entertainer, and that wasn’t it either. I’m going to be an American Citizen. First class.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  2. 2.

    I am really enjoying the new Martin Luther King Jr stamp – just think about all those white bigots, licking the backside of a black man.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  3. 3.

    I’m not a comic. I’m a humorist.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  4. 4.

    Political promises are much like marriage vows. They are made at the beginning of the relationship between candidate and voter, but are quickly forgotten.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  5. 5.

    And we love to dance, especially that new one called the Civil War Twist. The Northern part of you stands still while the Southern part tries to secede.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  6. 6.

    I never believed in Santa Claus because I knew no white dude would come into my neighborhood after dark.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  7. 7.

    You know why Madison Avenue advertising has never done well in Harlem? We’re the only ones who know what it means to be Brand X.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  8. 8.

    If it wasn’t for Abe Lincoln, I’d still be on the open market.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  9. 9.

    If they took all the drugs, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine off the market for six days, they’d have to bring out the tanks to control you.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  10. 10.

    In most places in the country, voting is looked upon as a right and a duty, but in Chicago it’s a sport.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  11. 11.

    Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  12. 12.

    In America, with all of its evils and faults, you can still reach through the forest and see the sun. But we don’t know yet whether that sun is rising or setting for our country.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  13. 13.

    When I lost my rifle, the Army charged me 85 dollars. That is why in the Navy the Captain goes down with the ship.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  14. 14.

    Riches do not delight us so much with their possession, as torment us with their loss.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  15. 15.

    Just being a Negro doesn’t qualify you to understand the race situation any more than being sick makes you an expert on medicine.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  16. 16.

    I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  17. 17.

    When you have a good mother and no father, God kind of sits in. It’s not enough, but it helps.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  18. 18.

    I wouldn’t mind paying taxes – if I knew they were going to a friendly country.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)

  19. 19.

    We used to root for the Indians against the cavalry, because we didn’t think it was fair in the history books that when the cavalry won it was a great victory, and when the Indians won it was a massacre.

    Dick Gregory

    American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur (1932-2017)