Radio and television talk show host, stand-up comic and community activist. Critically acclaimed as America's first "Shock Jock," Petey Greene transitioned from a life of drug addiction and imprisonment into a career as a controversial media personality in the Washington DC-Maryland-and Virginia region, which spanned from the late 1960s through the mid 1980s as a national personality on Black Entertainment Television (BET). Following his prison release (where he was an in-house DJ), Greene began his career as a morning disc jockey WOL 1450-AM by Dewey Hughes (who later co-founded Radio One network) and years later hosted his own talk show "Rappin With Petey Greene," which later became "Petey Greene's Washington" on WDCA-TV 20. Greene won two local Emmy Awards, and eventually broadcasted nationally on Black Entertainment Television. Greene was once guest at the White House guest of then-President Jimmy Carter, and was founder of "Efforts for Ex-Convicts" to help former inmates transition into society as productive citizens with work and shelter. In 1984, more than 20,000 people attended Greene's funeral in 1984, which was regarded by many as the largest funeral for a non-elected individual in the history of Washington. Petey Greene's life was featured in the 2007 motion picture "Talk to Me" starring Oscar nominee Don Cheadle. His autobiography "Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny" was published posthumously 20 years after his death by collaborator Lurma Rackley.
Radio and television talk show host, stand-up comic and community activist. Critically acclaimed as America's first "Shock Jock," Petey Greene transitioned from a life of drug addiction and imprisonment into a career as a controversial media personality in the Washington DC-Maryland-and Virginia region, which spanned from the late 1960s through the mid 1980s as a national personality on Black Entertainment Television (BET). Following his prison release (where he was an in-house DJ), Greene began his career as a morning disc jockey WOL 1450-AM by Dewey Hughes (who later co-founded Radio One network) and years later hosted his own talk show "Rappin With Petey Greene," which later became "Petey Greene's Washington" on WDCA-TV 20. Greene won two local Emmy Awards, and eventually broadcasted nationally on Black Entertainment Television. Greene was once guest at the White House guest of then-President Jimmy Carter, and was founder of "Efforts for Ex-Convicts" to help former inmates transition into society as productive citizens with work and shelter. In 1984, more than 20,000 people attended Greene's funeral in 1984, which was regarded by many as the largest funeral for a non-elected individual in the history of Washington. Petey Greene's life was featured in the 2007 motion picture "Talk to Me" starring Oscar nominee Don Cheadle. His autobiography "Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny" was published posthumously 20 years after his death by collaborator Lurma Rackley.
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