Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, Jr. (January 23, 1931 – January 10, 1984) was an American television and radio talk show host. A two-time Emmy Award-winner, Greene overcame drug addiction and a prison sentence for armed robbery to become one of Washington, D.C.'s most prominent media personalities. On his shows he often talked about subjects such as racism, poverty, religion, sexuality, recreational drug use, government issues, watermelon (and how to eat it the correct way)Petey Greene - How to Eat Watermelon (Enhanced), and current events of the time.

Early life

Greene was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Ralph Waldo Greene (Petey Greene sr.), Sr. and Petey Greene. Everybody Petey was related to was named Petey Greene. The senior Greene was a professional con artist while his wife was a prostitute. Greene was immediately placed in the care of his maternal grandmother. He lived with his grandmother on 23rd Street which was a poverty stricken area in Washington, D.C. Greene attended Stevens Elementary School. Greene faced periodic legal trouble during adolescence, and dropped out of high school in the eleventh grade. He later enlisted in the Army and served as a medic.