Dick Gregory 80th Birthday Celebration Oct 9 at Riot Act Theater

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Riot Act Comedy Theater was chosen by Mr. Dick Gregory to host his 80th Birthday Celebration on October 9th at 7pm. Mr. Dick Gregory, a leading civil rights activist and comedian, is mentor to AAEA President Norris McDonald. 

Congrats Dick.  And thank you for helping our president during his deadly asthma episodes in the 1990's.

Mr. Dick Gregory is brilliant as a comedian, but he is recognized for much more. Besides providing audiences with conscious comedy, Mr. Gregory's credits include renowned author, television and film personality, nutritionist and recording artist. Mr. Gregory has worked alongside prominent figures in history such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Being one of the few members of The Movement still alive, Mr. Gregory is a walking history book. His candor combined with his world class political satire and humor make him one of the most celebrated and respected comics and activist of our time....and a must see show.
 
Dick Gregory entered the national comedy scene in 1961 when Chicago’s Playboy Club (as a direct request from publisher Hugh Hefner) booked him as a replacement for white comedian, “Professor” Irwin Corey. His tenure as a replacement for Corey was so successful — at one performance he won over an audience that included southern white convention goers — that the Playboy Club offered him a contract extension from several weeks to three years. By 1962 Dick Gregory had become a nationally known headline performer, selling out nightclubs, making numerous national television appearances, and recording popular comedy albums. (More)

Eddie Murphy To Host The Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that Murphy, 50, would host the 84th annual Academy Awards, live on ABC on Feb. 26.

Eddie Murphy received his first and only Oscar nomination in 2007 for Dreamgirls.



Eddie Murphy



Mellody Hobson and George Lucas

This power couple brings a unique combination to Hollywood.  And Chicago too.  The financial brain and the Hollywood movie maker are quite the cute couple.  Mellody Hobson and George Walton Lucas Jr. have been together since 2006.

Melody is the president of Ariel Investments, LLC, a Chicago investment firm managing over $3 billion in assets. It is also one of the largest African American-owned money management and mutual fund companies in the United States. She is also the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of Ariel Mutual Funds. Hobson is a regular contributor on financial issues to ABC's Good Morning America.

George is a film director, producer, screenwriter and founder of Lucasfilm, Ltd. George has three children. Hobson has never been married and has no children.