Dick Gregory (born Richard Claxton Gregory on October 12, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American comedian, social activist, social critic, writer and entrepreneur.

Gregory is an influential American comic who has used his performance skills to convey to both white and black audiences his political message on civil rights. His social satire changed the way white Americans perceived African American comedians since he first performed in public.

Influenced to stand up for civil rights by his early surroundings of poverty and violence, Gregory became the first comedian to successfully perform for both black and white audiences.