A Man Named Dick Gregory...

Gregory, Richard Claxton Dick (Born, October 12, 1932, St. Louis, Mo.), African American comedian and civil rights activist whose social satire changed the way white Americans perceived African American comedians since he first performed in public.Dick Gregory entered the national comedy scene in 1961 when Chicagos Playboy Club (as a direct request from publisher Hugh Hefner) booked him as a replacement for white comedian, Professor Irwin Corey. Until then Gregory had worked mostly at small clubs with predominantly black audiences (he met his wife, Lillian Smith, at one such club). Such clubs paid comedians an average of five dollars per night; thus Gregory also held a day job as a postal employee. His tenure as a replacement for Corey was so successful at one performance he won over an audience that included southern white convention goers that the Playboy Club offered him a contract extension from several weeks to three years. By 1962 Gregory had become a nationally known headline performer, selling out nightclubs, making numerous national television appearances, and recording popular comedy albums.Its important to note that no biography of Gregory would be complete without mentioning that he and his beloved wife, Lil, had ten kids who have become highly respected members of the national community in a variety of fields. They are: Michele, Lynne, Pamela, Paula, Stephanie (aka Xenobia), Gregory, Christian, Miss, Ayanna and Yohance. The Gregorys had one child who died at birth but they have shared 42 years of historic moments, selfless dedication and tremendous personal love. "http://www.africanamericans.com/DickGregory.htm"
I personally believe that Gregory was a wonderful man with a great open heart. He had a great sense of humor that would always make other people's day. He looked at life as a good thing, always thought about good things and how other people should considered themselves lucky if they are surrounded by love. If you are ever having a bad day, he is the person you would want to be with because your lonely day would turn into a laughter day!