Showtime Acquires The One and Only Dick Gregory Documentary

The One and Only Dick Gregory documentary premieres this Juneteenth at the Tribeca Film Festival. The world premiere’s already sold out.

But you can watch it starting July 4, 2021, thanks to the good folks at Showtime.

Showtime has acquired this doc from Andre Gaines that unpacks the career of Gregory, the activist, pop-culture icon and thought leader who changed the lives of millions across the world through constant disruption and awareness.

“There is no more important time than now to revisit the life of Dick Gregory,” said Vinnie Malhotra, Executive Vice President, Nonfiction Programming, Showtime Networks Inc.. “His fearless voice rose to the challenges of his time, calling upon Americans to question their beliefs, in an era where you risked your livelihood – maybe even your life – to speak out. Though a comedic genius of his generation, comedy turned out just to be the beginning of one of the most unique and impactful journeys of any person we’ve seen. Andre and team have done a remarkable job in showing just how Gregory walked the walk and talked the talk in a way we have rarely seen anyone else do.”

Gregory inspired a generation through on-the-ground activism, an untiring desire to help and his influential comedy. Featuring archival footage of his early career as a comedian, the film is bookended with Gregory’s own voice just before his death in 2017, reflecting on the impact of his life on the world as a self-described “agitator.” Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Wanda Sykes, W. Kamau Bell and others discuss Gregory’s paradigm-shifting significance on the art of comedy and culture.

“Dick Gregory is as present to me now as he was when I first started filming him six years ago – a trivial length of time when compared to the nearly six decades that this one man so greatly influenced American history, comedy, activism, and nutrition,” said Gaines. “He emptied himself completely for the movement, and while the enormity of his sacrifices are rarely acknowledged, he gave every artist a master class for what it truly means to both entertain and educate. Knowing Dick Gregory was a transformative experience that not only influenced the making of this film, but me as a man. Vinnie and the team at SHOWTIME have been incredible partners to help bring this timely story to the world, and I cannot wait for Dick Gregory to finally get his due.” 

Here’s a sneak peek at the doc:

And if you want to hear more of Dick Gregory, please listen to my 2016 podcast with the late legend.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →