Mystery illness strikes comic, 84

Pioneering comedian Dick Gregory has been admitted to hospital with a ‘serious’ medical condition.

His son Christian broke the news on Facebook, but said: ‘His prognosis is excellent and he should be released within the next few days.’

However, he declined to go into details about the illness but added: ‘When it comes to sickness and disease one's age is highly significant. There is no such thing as a "simple" condition. In advanced age a simple cold or a simple infection could be catastrophic.

‘At soon to be chronologically 85, my father's true age far exceeds that. A life well-lived but heavily sacrificed, has definitively taken its toll.’

Gregory was taken to hospital after feeling ill last Wednesday and later released, with instructions to rest for a few days, but returned on Saturday.

He began his comedy career while serving in the military in the mid-1950s, then later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he became part of a new generation of black comedians that also included Bill Cosby that shunned stereotypical characters. 

Gregory drew on current events, especially racial issues, for much of his material, with jokes such as:  ‘Segregation is not all bad. Have you ever heard of a collision where the people in the back of the bus got hurt?’

In the 1960s he worked the Playboy circuit after being spotted by Hugh Hefner working a predominantly white crowd. He got a TV breakthrough on Tonight Starring Jack Paar – after turning down an invitation several times because black comics were never asked to stay after their set to sit on the famous couch and talk with the host. They broke that convention for Gregory.

He has continued to work to this day, and was forced to cancel a gig in San Jose last Wednesday when first admitted to hospital.

Gregory has also been an outspoken activist for civil rights. He campaigned against the Vietnam war, ran for President of the United States in 1968 as a write-in candidate of the Freedom and Peace Party, and traveled to Tehran during the US Embassy Hostage Crisis in Iran in 1980 to try to secure the hostages’ release.

He also claims President John Kennedy was not assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, that the moon landing was faked and the US government has hidden the truth about the 9/11 attacks.

Gregory was diagnosed with lymphoma in late 1999. He said he was treating the cancer with herbs, vitamins, and exercise, which he believes kept it in remission.

In his Facebook post, Christian Gregory said: ‘I've watched my father for a lifetime heal the world. Today he is in need of your healing. We are truly grateful for the phenomenal care he has been receiving. My family and I remain thankful for all of the prayers, positive thoughts, messages and good energy.’

Published: 17 Aug 2017