Kimberly Hébert Gregory, the actress celebrated for her role as Dr. Belinda Brown in HBO's comedy series Vice Principals, has died at the age of 52. Her former husband, Chester Gregory, also an actor, shared the news of her passing on Friday, October 3rd, in an emotional tribute posted to Instagram. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born Kimberly Rochelle Hébert on December 7, 1972, in Houston, Texas, Gregory began her career in theater before transitioning to film and television. She graduated from Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and went on to earn a BA in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College in 1994. She furthered her education with a master's degree in social work from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago in 2002.
Gregory's acting career spanned both stage and screen. She garnered early recognition in theater, with roles in plays such as Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brother/Sister Plays at New York's The Public Theater in 2009. Her theater work also included productions with the Chicago Theatre Company, Writer's Theatre, and the Goodman Theatre. She received a Jeff nomination for her performance in Chicago Theatre Company's Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery. Additionally, Gregory earned Drama Desk and Lortel nominations for her role in Lynn Nottage's By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
Her breakthrough role came in 2016 with the HBO comedy series Vice Principals, where she played Dr. Belinda Brown, the newly appointed principal who clashes with the show's titular characters. The series, which ran for two seasons, showcased Gregory's comedic talent and established her as a memorable presence on television.
Beyond Vice Principals, Gregory built a steady television resume with appearances in numerous popular shows. These included Law & Order, Grey's Anatomy, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Better Call Saul. She also held recurring roles in Kevin (Probably) Saves the World and voiced Nicole Williams in Craig of the Creek. In 2019, she portrayed talent agent Ruth Jean Baskerville Bowen in Genius: Aretha. Most recently, in 2023, she voiced a character in the Netflix animated series Carol & the End of the World.
Gregory's former husband, Chester Gregory, expressed his grief and admiration in his Instagram post, writing, "You Were Brilliance Embodied, A Black Woman Whose Mind Lit Every Room, Whose Presence Carried Both Fire And Grace… So Much More Than Ex-Wife, You Were My Friend. Our Son, The Song We Wrote Together, Is The Living Echo Of Your Light". Vice Principals co-star Walton Goggins also shared a tribute, calling her "one of the best" he had ever worked with.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory is survived by her son, Chester Gregory III. Her contributions to the entertainment industry, both on stage and screen, and her dedication to social work will be remembered by her colleagues, friends, and fans.
