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| (c) The Undefeated |
Richard Claxton Gregory was born on October 12, 1937 to Presley and Lucille Gregory in St. Louis, Missouri.
The famed comedian was known for his social and political activism which began in the 1960's. He ran for Mayor of Chicago in 1967, and ran for President of the United States a year later under the Freedom and Peace Party.
Gregory was also a great athlete in his youth as he earned a track scholarship to the University of Southern Illnois, Carbondale. His collegiate athletic days were limited due to him being drafted into the army.
Nutritional eating was also a vital lifestyle for Gregory. After weighing 350 pounds, drinking alcohol and smoking everyday, he made a drastic change in his lifestyle. In 1981, he took on the challenge called the "Dick Gregory Zero Nutrition Fasting Experiment" where he drank a gallon of water daily and engaged prayer while fasting for 70 days straight.
Dick Gregory was married to Lillian Smith for over 50 years and they had 10 children together.
The human, animals, civil and feminist activist passed away on this day in 2017. He was 84 years old.
