Dick is a gay former figure skater and now sports commentator. He won a silver medal at the 1947 World Championships, followed by gold medals each of the next five years. Button won a gold medal at the 1948 Winter Olympics, and again at the 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics, becoming the first skater to perform a triple jump, toe loop, and double axel. He also invented the flying camel spin. Button is probably best known today as an Emmy award-winning sports commentator.

On July 5, 1978, Button and five other victims were attacked with baseball bats by a gang of teenagers in New York's Central Park. The gay-bashing left all six victims with skull fractures; Button also suffered serious nerve damage and permanent hearing loss in one ear. In 1996, Button was named to the 100 Golden Olympians (a USOC program to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games and honor America's best Olympic athletes).