Comedian James Gregory has died at the age of 78

His family shared a statement on his official Facebook page which read: "Today, with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of the Funniest Man in America, comedian James Gregory.

"He brought laughter and joy to countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on the world of comedy and those who loved him...

"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."

James joined the Marines as a teenager but was "sidelined within weeks" due to health issues, working in sales until his late 30s, when he made his first steps into comedy, after answering an ad to participate in a comedy night in the basement of a restaurant in Atlanta.

His obituary stated: "Within a year, he was the first performer to take the stage at the new Punchline comedy club in Atlanta. As the comedy boom of the 1980s expanded, James quickly worked his way to headliner status...

"He was also committed to treating comedy as a professional business endeavor, a rare approach in the early days of nightclub comedy...

"James was especially popular in the southeastern United States, working comedy clubs and, later, theaters, especially in smaller towns near major cities. He chose those venues from experience growing up: he believed that the people who wanted to see him perform often didn't care to drive into the city but would come out for a local show, a strategy he first observed in professional wrestling and adopted for his own.

"James was also a radio icon with thousands of appearances on local broadcasts and hundreds more on popular syndicated programs. He turned down an appearance on The Tonight Show when he refused to "speed up" his delivery, and instead found a home as one of the most frequent guests ever on the Nashville Network, where he was a favorite of radio and TV personality Ralph Emery on his nightly talk show Nashville Now.

"Though he did not talk much about it in public, James was a friend and comedy favorite of some of the biggest names in the country music industry including George Jones, "Whispering Bill" Anderson, and Ray Stevens.

"James Gregory was a patriot who proudly performed for our troops on several overseas tours. During Operation Enduring Freedom, he entertained soldiers on ships and aircraft carriers in Bahrain, and throughout Spain, Italy and Germany. James often said the most memorable times in his career were those spent performing for our troops and visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He was both honored and humbled by the experiences."

The tribute also noted James had completed work on his "first and only autobiography" shortly before he died and ' A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of "The Funniest Man in America," James Gregory' will be published in November 2024.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.