Comedy legend James Gregory has passed away in his adopted hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee after suffering cardiac arrest at the age of 78.
Known to his many fans since the 1980s as ‘The Funniest Man in America’, his family confirmed his death on Thursday, May 9, in a post on his official Facebook page.
‘Today, with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of the Funniest Man in America, comedian James Gregory,’ the statement read. ‘He brought laughter and joy to countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the world of comedy and those who loved him.’
It continued: ‘James’ three nieces who referred to him as ‘Uncle Bubba,’ Martha Anne, Mary Jane, and Candie, along with their families, were instrumental in caring for him through his last days and weeks
The family’s message concluded with a request for ‘privacy at this time.’
Comedy legend James Gregory has passed away in his adopted hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee after suffering cardiac arrest at the age of 78; seen in 2014
After years of working as a salesman, Gregory didn’t get his start in comedy until he was 36, when he began introducing performers at The Punch Line comedy club in Atlanta in 1981.
In fact, Gregory has the distinction of being the first comedian to take the stage at the legendary Punchline club.
While he was known as a Southern comedian, he traveled all across the country performing his stand-up comedy routine for the next four decades.
Before the end of the 1980s the funnyman would not only dubbed himself ‘The Funniest Man in America’ he also took the URL domain ‘funniestman.com.’
According to his obituary on Facebook, Gregory was born in his parents’ kitchen in the tiny Georgia town of Lithonia, Georgia in the afternoon of May 6, 1946.
He would eventually have the proud distinction of being the first member of his family to graduate from high school, which he diid all while working in a small grocery store since he was 11.
After a short stint in the Marines, which ended within weeks due to health issues, he began his career as a salesman that went from 18 until he was 36.
He got inspired to start a career as a comedian when he answered an to participate in a comedy night in the basement of the Atlanta-area restaurant, Excelsior Mill.
After using his knack for making people laugh as a salesman, Gregory began believing he could make the transition and deliver his comedy from a stage.
Known to his many fans since the 1980s as ‘The Funniest Man in America’, his family confirmed his death on Thursday, May 9, in a post on his official Facebook page
The Georgia native worked as a salesman from 18 to 36, before he transitioned to a career in comedy in 1981; before the end of the 1980s the funnyman would not only dubbed himself ‘The Funniest Man in America’ he also took the URL domain ‘funniestman.com’
His talents began to take shape as the comedy boom of the 1980s expanded, ultimately growing his star power until he worked his way to becoming a headliner at clubs.
Gregory was especially popular in the southeastern United States, working comedy clubs and, later, theaters, especially in smaller towns near major cities.
‘The way I see it, you’re not just my audience. You’re my customers,’ Gregory was quoted as saying in his upcoming autobiography.
During his lifetime, the self-proclaimed patriot proudly performed for the U.S. troops during several overseas tours, including Operation Enduring Freedom, where he entertained soldiers on ships and aircraft carriers in Bahrain, and throughout Spain, Italy and Germany.
He was also honored and humbled to have performed for the troops and visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
Just before his passing, Gregory completed work on his first and only autobiography, A Bushel Of Beans And A Peck Of Tomatoes: The Life And Times Of ‘The Funniest Man in America,’ James Gregory (Post Hill Press), which will be published in November 2024.
Funeral services are still ongoing. When the details of his memorial are confirmed the information will be posted on James Gregory’s official Facebook page.