Kimberly Hébert Gregory, best known for her starring role as Dr. Belinda Brown in HBO’s hit comedy series Vince Principals, has died at age 52.

Her ex-husband and fellow actor, Chester Gregory, confirmed the devastating news on Friday.  

“You were the embodiment of brilliance, a Black woman whose intellect illuminated every room, whose presence was both fiery and graceful,” Chester, 52, expressed on Instagram. “You imparted lessons in bravery, creativity, resilience, and in the art of perseverance, even when life demanded more than its fair share.”

Chester, who shares a son with Kimberley, continued to commend her as “so much more than” just his ex-wife, describing her as his “friend” and reflecting on the unbreakable bond they shared.

“Thank you, Kimberly, for every chapter of life we shared. Your story was never defined by the struggles but by the beauty you carried throughout,” he affirmed.

At this time, her cause of death has not been publicly revealed. 

Kimberly Hébert Gregory, best known for her starring role in HBO’s hit comedy series Vince Principals, has died at age 52; seen on January 7, 2018

Underneath his post, Yvette Nicole Brown wrote: ‘I don’t understand this. I’m so sorry for you and your son’s loss @chestergregory. And OUR loss as a community.’

Leslie Odom Jr. commented: ‘Beautiful tribute, bro. What a light she shared. I am so sorry to hear.’ 

Jason Ritter also reacted to the loss, writing: ‘I am so sorry… absolutely heartbreaking. She was so brilliant and so kind, she will be so so missed by all of us lucky enough to know her.’ 

Kimberly’s former Vince Principals costar, Walton Goggins, also paid tribute on Instagram. 

‘We lost one of the best yesterday… one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Kimberly Hebert Gregory,’ he began. 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. 

He concluded: ‘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 portrayed Gale Liptrapp on the show, wrote: ‘Oh my god I’m devastated to hear this. She was a light and a force. She will be missed.’  

Vice Principals, which ran on HBO for two seasons between 2016 and 2017, was co-created by Danny McBride and Jody Hill. 

Her ex-husband and fellow actor, Chester Gregory, confirmed the devastating news on Friday; seen in 2016

‘You were brilliance embodied, a Black woman whose mind lit every room, whose presence carried both fire and grace,’ Chester, 52, wrote on Instagram

She is best known for her role in Vice Principals, which ran on HBO for two seasons between 2016 and 2017

The dark comedy centers on two feuding assistant principals — played by McBride and Goggins — who form an uneasy alliance to oust their school’s new leader, Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly). 

Born in Houston on December 7, 1972, Kimberly Hébert Gregory discovered her love of performing early, attending the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before going on to earn an MFA from DePaul University’s Theatre School.

She launched her career on the Chicago stage in the late 1990s with the Chicago Theatre Company, where her breakout turn in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination.

Gregory later transitioned to film and television, appearing in features such as I Think I Love My Wife (2007), Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer (2012), Arizona (2018), Five Feet Apart (2019), Miss Virginia (2019), and John Henry (2020).

Her television work is equally expansive, with guest and recurring roles across hit series including Gossip Girl, Law & Order, Two and a Half Men, Shameless, The Big Bang Theory, Devious Maids, Grey’s Anatomy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Better Call Saul.