James Gregory Death: What happened to comedian and 1980s “The Funniest Man in America?

James Harold Gregory, Jr., a renowned comedian who gained fame in the 1980s as “The Funniest Man in America,” died today (May 9, 2024) due to cardiac issues. His age was 78. Real Country Q92.3 wrote on Facebook: “We are sad to announce the passing of James Gregory (far right). A very funny man & a friend of Real Country Q92.3. Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family, friends & fans of James Gregory.”

Who Was James Harold Gregory?

James was born in his parents’ house in the little town of Lithonia, Georgia on the afternoon of May 6, 1946. Despite being employed at a small grocery store from the age of 11, he took great pride in being the first member of his family to successfully complete high school. At the age of 18, he underwent a civil service examination to secure work with the United States Postal Service. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Marine Corps but was quickly forced to step back from active duty owing to health problems.

James subsequently transitioned into the sales department, where he quickly became exclusively compensated through commissions. “It was a pivotal moment in my life,” he stated. “I will never work as a full-time employee for anyone again.” At the age of 36 in 1981, James responded to an advertisement to take part in a comedy night held in the basement of Excelsior Mill, a restaurant located in the Atlanta area. With his talent for captivating audiences and his success as a salesman, he thought he had the potential to become a comic. Within a year, he became the inaugural performer at the newly established Punchline comedy club in Atlanta. During the 1980s comedy boom, James rapidly ascended to the position of headliner.

Despite being commonly associated with the South due to his distinct Georgia accent, this comedian never explicitly referenced the South or identified himself as a Southerner during his performances. Instead, he regularly performed his brand of humor, which he described as “down home, common sense,” throughout North America. In addition, he was dedicated to seeing humor as a professional commercial pursuit, which was an uncommon perspective during the initial stages of nightclub comedy.

In his upcoming book, he expressed his perspective that you are not only his audience. You are my customers. His pioneering endeavors in marketing, commerce, and merchandise established the blueprint that countless comedians would imitate in the subsequent decades. James gained significant popularity in the southeastern region of the United States, where he performed at comedy clubs and eventually transitioned to theaters. His performances were particularly well-received in smaller communities located near major cities.

He selected those locations based on his personal background: he believed that his fans, who were eager to watch his performances, were more likely to attend a local concert rather than travel to the city. He derived this technique from his observations in professional wrestling and decided to apply it to his own performances.

James was a prominent figure in the radio industry, making several appearances on local broadcasts as well as popular syndicated programs such as John Boy & Billy, Rick & Bubba, and Bob & Tom. He declined an invitation to appear on The Tonight Show because he refused to speak faster. Instead, he became a regular guest on The Nashville Network (TNN), where he was highly favored by radio and TV celebrity Ralph Emery on his nightly chat show Nashville Now. Despite his reluctance to discuss it publicly, James had established close friendships with some prominent figures in the country music industry, such as George Jones, “Whispering Bill” Anderson, and Ray Stevens, who greatly admired his comedic talent.

James Gregory, a fervent patriot, enthusiastically entertained our troops over multiple international deployments. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he provided entertainment to soldiers stationed aboard ships and aircraft carriers in Bahrain, as well as in Spain, Italy, and Germany. According to James, the most unforgettable moments in his professional life were when he entertained our military personnel and visited injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He had a deep sense of gratitude and modesty as a result of the encounters.

Prior to his death, he finished writing his inaugural and sole autobiography, titled “A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of ‘The Funniest Man in America,’ James Gregory” (Post Hill Press). This book is scheduled for publication in November 2024. James’ three nieces, Martha Anne, Mary Jane, and Candie, along with their families, played a crucial role in taking care of him during his final days and weeks. The family requests solitude during this period.

The family will release an obituary and the funeral services details.