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Dick GregoryAmerican comedian, actor, writer
Date of Birth: 12.10.1932
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life
- Career Beginnings
- Rise to Stardom
- Political Activism
- Civil Rights Movement
- Personal Life
- Health and Death
Early Life
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Richard Pryor was the son of Lucille, a maid, and Presley Pryor. At Sumner High School, he excelled in running, winning the state cross-country championship in 1950.
Career Beginnings
In 1953, Pryor received a scholarship to Southern Illinois University (SIU), where he set school records in the half-mile and mile. He was named the university's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year in 1954.
After being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954, Pryor began his comedy career, winning talent contests while serving. Upon his discharge in 1956, he briefly returned to SIU but dropped out, believing that the university was more interested in his athleticism than his academic pursuits.
Rise to Stardom
Pryor moved to Chicago in hopes of becoming a professional comedian. He became part of a new generation of black comics that included Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and Godfrey Cambridge. His material often drew from current events and racial issues, earning him popularity among African American audiences in the southern U.S.
Political Activism
Pryor was an outspoken activist for various causes. He protested against apartheid, the Vietnam War, and racial injustice. He participated in hunger strikes and campaigns both in the U.S. and abroad.
Civil Rights Movement
In 1963, Pryor traveled to Selma, Alabama, to support the voting rights campaign. He played a key role in finding three missing civil rights workers in 1964.
Personal Life
Pryor married Lillian Smith in 1959. They had 11 children, including Richard Jr., who died shortly after birth.
Health and Death
Pryor was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1999. He believed that alternative therapies kept his cancer in remission. He passed away from heart failure in 2017 at the age of 84.
