Dick Gregory Performs at Comedy Castle in Royal Oak

Civil Rights activist, author and comedian Dick Gregory, 81, will perform at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in April to raise money for Notre Dame Affordable Housing and Supportive services for veterans. 

Gregory uses social satire to discuss issues ranging from race relations and women’s rights in the U.S., to violence, world hunger, capital punishment, drug abuse and health care. His long career in comedy spans half a century.

Listed on Comedy Central’s Top 100 Stand-Up Comedians of All-Time, Gregory is credited with helping bridge African-American comedy to caucasian audiences.

Comedian said no to 'Tonight Show'

Early in his career, Gregory turned down a gig on the Tonight Show the because they wouldn't let black comics sit on a couch.

"It was Tonight Starring Jack Paar before Johnny Carson got the gig. I wanted to be on it so bad. Everyone did. It would make you a star overnight," Gregory told Bryn Mawr Patch. "When Time magazine did a big story on me, Jack Paar's bookers called me. But I said 'no' because black comics would perform their routines on the show, but after they were done, that was it. They were never invited to sit on the couch and talk with Jack Paar. When I turned it down, I hung up the phone and started crying. I wanted it so bad, but I just couldn't do it under those conditions."

If you go

• When: Wednesday, Apr. 4 at 8 p.m. 
• Where: Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St.
• Ticket price: $20
• Show type: 18 & over
• Door time: 7 p.m.