Kimberly Hébert Gregory, best known for playing Dr. Belinda Brown on the HBO series Vice Principals, died Friday. She was 52.
Gregory’s ex-husband, Chester Gregory, confirmed her death on Instagram. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available.
“Kimberly Hébert Gregory You Were Brilliance Embodied, A Black Woman Whose Mind Lit Every Room, Whose Presence Carried Both Fire And Grace. You Taught Us Lessons In Courage, In Artistry, In Resilience, And In How To Keep Showing Up, Even When Life Demanded More Than Its Share,” Chester Gregory wrote on Instagram. Thank You, Kimberly, For Every Chapter We Shared. Your Story Was Never Defined By The Battle, But By The Beauty You Carried Through It.”
Born on Dec. 7, 1972, in Houston, Gregory starred in dozens of projects throughout her career. One of her most notable roles was as the fiery principal of North Jackson High School in Vice Principals, starring Danny McBride and Walton Goggins.
Goggins, who starred as Lee Russell in Vice Principals, wrote in a tribute: “We lost one of the best yesterday… one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Kimberly Hebert Gregory. I had the honor… the good fortune of getting to know, getting to spend months working with this Queen on Vice Principals. She made me laugh like no other. A professionals professional. A gatdamn SOPRANO that never missed a note. You will be missed my friend. As much as you know.”
Busy Philipps, who played Gale Liptrapp on the dark comedy, also wrote: “Oh my god i’m devastated to hear this. she was a light and a force. she will be missed.”
Gregory’s other credits included Five Feet Apart, Barry, Genius, Future Man, John Henry, Medical Police, The Chi, The Act, Every Other Weekend, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, Better Call Saul, Red Hook Summer, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Devious Maids, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men and Private Practice, among others.
She also voiced characters in Craig of the Creek, Jessica’s Big Little World and No Activity.