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Civil Rights Activist & Comedian Dick Gregory Dead At 84, Celebs React With Emotional Tributes

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In very sad news, comedian/civil rights activist Dick Gregory has passed away. He was 84. Celebs are reacting, pouring out their love and gratitude. More inside…

Hearts are extremely heavy with sadness.

Comedian/civil rights activist Dick Gregory has passed away, confirmed by his family. He was 84. It’s reported the stand up comic died of heart failure on Saturday.

"It is with enormous sadness that the Gregory family confirms that their father, comedic legend and civil rights activist Mr. Dick Gregory departed this earth tonight in Washington, D.C.," Gregory's son, Christian, said in a statement. "The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

Earlier this week, Mr. Gregory had been hospitalized for what his son described “a serious but stable medical condition. He had to reschedule in an event in Atlanta due to his hospitalization.

He leaves behind his wife, Lillian, and their 10 children.

Dick Gregory broke barriers as one of the first African-Americans to perform at white clubs. He was also a pioneer for the civil rights movement where he was arrested several times for joining different rallies. He was able to find laughter during the civil rights movement, during a trouble time for African-Americans.

Throughout the years, he has mentored several celebrities as they built their careers in the entertainment business. Celebs are pouring their hearts out with emotional tributes to the legendary star on social media. See their reactions below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got us from here OG.....

A post shared by lilduval (@lilduval) on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read this inspirational message Dick posted on his birthday this year:

 

 

As I approach my 85th revolution around the sun this year, I wonder why has it been so difficult for humankind to be kind. So difficult to be loving and lovable. For my militant brothers and sisters, please don't misconstrue loving and lovable to be weak or submissive. Love will always be triumphant over hate. I know I will not be here forever, nor do I desire to be. I have seen progress like most cannot appreciate because they were not there to bear witness. I dedicated my life to the movement. By doing so, I never thought I'd still be here. So many of my friends are not here. They were cut down by a system of hatred and evil. If they were here, they'd see the progress that I see. The reality is far from perfect, but profoundly better than what daily reality was for my generation. Young folks if you are wise you would talk less and spend more time listening to the elders who saw evil up front and personal everyday. #howlong I've been asking this question for over 40 years! How long before we realize our Universal God given potential? We have made immeasurable progress that cannot be debated. That said, we still have a long way to go. I have no desire to see this all the way through, the dreams I dreamed about 60 years ago have definitively been realized. To the young folks of all ethnicities I say #staywoke not as a catchphrase but as a lifestyle. Most of the things that are killing us are in our minds and our daily routines. The way we think, the "food" we eat and the water we drink or so often don't drink. While so many go out and protest the small evils, the big evils are ever present and welcomed into our homes. From the top to bottom of my heart I say #staywoke Love you to life, DIck Gregory

A post shared by Dick Gregory (@therealdickgregory) on

 

May he rest in peace.

Photo: Getty


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