Celebs, politicians post tributes to comedian and activist Dick Gregory

— -- The death of comedian and activist Dick Gregory at age 84 on Saturday prompted a flood of tributes on Twitter from celebrities, activists and others.

Jane Sanders recalled how her husband, Bernie Sanders, Democratic senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate, once spent a night in jail with Gregory after protesting segregation in Chicago.

Democratic National Committee vice chairman Keith Ellison posted a photo of himself with Gregory. "Thank you for giving yourself to all of us," he wrote.

Activist and writer Shaun King posted pictures of Gregory as a young man. "Rest in power, good sir," King wrote.

Singer John Legend called Gregory a "groundbreaker in comedy and a voice for justice."

A Twitter user with the handle @ElmaticLove also posted old photos of Gregory including of him with Muhammad Ali and Bob Marley.

Some people posted excerpts from Gregory's memoir, "Callous on My Soul," such as when he wrote about a waitress in the South telling him they "don't serve colored people."

Here is a sample of some other tweets paying tribute to Gregory and lamenting his passing.

Notable people who died in 2017

1 of 91

Comedian and actress Rose Marie, best known for her role as Sally Rogers in the "Dick Van Dyke Show," passed away Dec. 28, 2017 at the age of 94.

CBS via Getty Images