A pioneer comedian Dick Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) passed away Saturday at the age of 84. An ardent civil rights activist as well as anti-war political activist, Gregory will be missed.

Democracy Now! has posted a video feature “Dick Gregory In His Own Words: Remembering the Pioneering Comedian and Civil Rights Activist” culled from appearances on the program. During the 2002 interview Amy Goodman thanks him for helping to get Democracy Now! on the air nationally, in his capacity as a new member of the Pacifica National board.

Here’s a video clip that’s featured in a Digby Hullabaloo post by Denis Hartley that is taken from a 2014 appearance on the Arsenio Hall show. In it, Dick tells his version of how he broke the color barrier of late night TV during an appearance on the Tonight Starring Jack Parr show.

 

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