Kimberly Hébert Gregory, the actress best known for her commanding portrayal of Dr. Belinda Brown in HBO’s “Vice Principals,” died on Friday, October 3, at age 52. The Houston-born performer’s death was confirmed by her ex-husband and fellow actor Chester Gregory through a heartfelt Instagram post over the weekend.
Chester Gregory described his former wife as brilliance embodied, noting she was a Black woman whose mind lit every room and whose presence carried both fire and grace. He emphasized that she was much more than an ex-wife, calling her a friend whose story was never defined by battle but by the beauty she carried through it. The former couple shared a son together, whom Chester Gregory referred to as the living echo of her light.
No cause of death has been disclosed by family members or representatives. Medical and personal details surrounding her passing remain private at this time.
Gregory’s breakout television role came in 2016 when she joined the cast of HBO’s dark comedy series “Vice Principals,” starring alongside Danny McBride and Walton Goggins. Her character, Dr. Belinda Brown, served as the incoming principal at North Jackson High School who frequently clashed with the scheming vice principals played by McBride and Goggins. The series ran for two seasons through 2017.
Walton Goggins paid tribute to his former co-star on social media, calling Gregory one of the best actors he had ever worked with. Goggins described her as “a gatdamn SOPRANO that never missed a note.” He recalled having the honor and good fortune of spending months working with Gregory on “Vice Principals,” noting she made him laugh like no other and was a professional’s professional.
Busy Philipps, who played Gale Liptrapp on “Vice Principals,” expressed devastation upon learning of Gregory’s death. Philipps remembered her former co-star as a light and a force who would be deeply missed. Other entertainment industry figures who paid tribute included Kym Whitley, Leslie Odom Jr., Jason Ritter, and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Born on December 7, 1972, in Houston, Gregory graduated from The High School for Performing and Visual Arts before attending Mount Holyoke College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She later pursued a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. While living in Chicago, Gregory appeared in multiple Chicago Theatre Company productions and earned a nomination for best supporting actress in a play at the 1998 Joseph Jefferson Awards Equity Branch for her performance in “Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery.”
Gregory made her film debut in the 2007 Chris Rock comedy “I Think I Love My Wife,” which also starred Kerry Washington. Throughout her career, she built an extensive television resume with guest appearances and recurring roles on popular series including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Gossip Girl,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Law & Order,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Better Call Saul,” and “Shameless.”
Following “Vice Principals,” Gregory continued to work steadily in television. She appeared in “Kevin (Probably) Saves the World,” an ABC series that ran from 2017 to 2018, starring alongside Jason Ritter. Her other notable television credits included “The Chi,” “All Rise,” “Genius: Aretha,” “Future Man,” “Medical Police,” “The Act,” “Dollface,” and “Barry.”
Gregory also lent her voice to animated projects, including Cartoon Network’s “Craig of the Creek” as Nicole Williams and its spinoff “Jessica’s Big Little World.” She appeared in the 2023 Netflix animated series “Carol & the End of the World.” Her film work included appearances in Spike Lee’s “Red Hook Summer,” the 2019 drama “Five Feet Apart,” and the films “Arizona” and “Miss Virginia.”
In his review of “Vice Principals,” Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd noted that Gregory’s character served as an invitation to political incorrectness, but observed that such attitudes were more a side dish than an entree in the series. He described the characters as lunkheads at worst despite their conniving nature.
Gregory had a recurring role on “Devious Maids” before joining “Vice Principals.” Her career spanned nearly two decades, during which she established herself as a versatile performer capable of handling both dramatic and comedic roles across television, film, and voice acting.
The actress is survived by her ex-husband Chester Gregory and their son. Her former husband emphasized in his tribute that through their son, her brilliance would never fade and her laughter would always resound. He thanked Gregory for every chapter they shared, noting she taught lessons in courage, artistry, resilience, and how to keep showing up even when life demanded more than its share.
