Hollywood Mourns Death of Comedian and Activist Dick Gregory

"Dick Gregory lived an amazing, revolutionary life. A groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice."

Following the news that Dick Gregory, a pioneering comedian and social and political activist, died on Saturday at the age of 84, Hollywood icons and political activists took to Twitter to mourn.

"Dick Gregory, 84, comedian, activist, author, lecturer and world famous teacher, died tonight surrounded by the members of his family of heart failure," his publicist of 50 years, Steve Jaffe, told The Hollywood Reporter. Gregory's family has asked for privacy and said that a full statement and details of his funeral would be released Sunday.

"He was one of the sweetest, smartest, most loving people one could ever know," Jaffe told THR. "I just hope that God is ready for some outrageously funny times."

Ava DuVernay shared a quote of Gregory's and captioned it, "You taught us and loved us. Thank you, #DickGregory."

John Legend, who produced the off-Broadway play Turn Me Loose — in which Emmy-winning actor Joe Morton (Scandal) portrayed Gregory — tweeted, "Dick Gregory lived an amazing, revolutionary life. A groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice. RIP."

Bill Cosby fired off several tweets, praising Gregory's work, saying it showed "education, intelligence, and was inclusive of humanitarianism along with great timing."

His comedy showed his education, intelligence, and was inclusive of humanitarianism along with great timing. — Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 20, 2017

He was FEARLESS — Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 20, 2017

The man went off the stage into the arena of Civil Rights worldwide facing his enemies. — Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 20, 2017

Rest in Power Dick Gregory — Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 20, 2017

See more reactions below.

"They ask me why I travel so much & I tell em, the fight 4 justice is out there, it aint at my house"-Dick Gregory pic.twitter.com/1mkwZ63vNG — Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) August 20, 2017

RIP Dick Gregory pic.twitter.com/jsRNWcdYdT — Eddie Griffin (@EddieGriffinCom) August 20, 2017

#DickGregory as a civil rights icon, comic genius, & provocateur, challenged not only what we thought was funny but how we thought.@EBONYMag pic.twitter.com/rfbtPHhdrQ — Cornell Wm. Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) August 20, 2017

Farewell to a very brave man. Dick Gregory. RIP. — Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) August 20, 2017

Rest n Peace Dick Gregory. Warrior, soldier, revolutionary....Your voice will be missed in this troubled world. — David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) August 20, 2017

You taught us and loved us. Thank you, #DickGregory. pic.twitter.com/uYytZ3PIKy — Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 20, 2017

Dick Gregory lived an amazing, revolutionary life. A groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice. RIP — John Legend (@johnlegend) August 20, 2017

He taught us how to laugh. He taught us how to fight.He taught us how to live.Dick Gregory was committed to justice.I miss him already. #RIP pic.twitter.com/3CfpM2O17D — Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) August 20, 2017

Always thought of Dick Gregory as a family member, even though I’d never met him. https://t.co/qzo1nhGVxa — RuPaul (@RuPaul) August 20, 2017

Dick Gregory, God Bless your Soul and may Angels guide thee to thy rest! — LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 20, 2017

Sad news about Dick Gregory's passing. It's always such a gut punch to lose a comedian. He was so much more. Champion for civil rights. — Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 20, 2017

.Dick Gregory was a masterful activist with a wit to make us all stop, listen and laugh!!! He was a giant in our time. Thank you #sosayweall — Edward James Olmos (@edwardjolmos) August 20, 2017

RIP to a great. Dick Gregory Dead: Stand-Up Comedy Legend, Civil Rights Activist Was 84 https://t.co/UPBGzHjmHT — Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 20, 2017