James Gregory, considered the “funniest man in America,” has died at age 78 – WSOC TV

“He brought laughter and joy to countless lives and left an indelible mark on the world of comedy and those who loved him,” the comedian’s Facebook page posted in a statement Thursday.

Although he had worked in a grocery store since the age of eleven, Gregory still managed to become the first in his family to graduate from high school.

After a brief stint in the Marines, Gregory went into sales and worked exclusively on commission.

“It was a turning point in my life,” he once said. “I would never be anyone’s full-time employee again.”

In 1981, Gregory, 36, answered an ad to participate in a comedy night show in the basement of the Excelsior Mill restaurant in the Atlanta area. Within a year, he was working at the Punchline comedy club in Atlanta and quickly became a headlining comedian.

Gregory’s down-to-earth, common sense humor struck a chord with audiences, particularly in the South, WSB-TV reported. He also performed for U.S. troops over the years.

Shortly before his death, Gregory completed an autobiography entitled “A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of ‘The Funniest Man in America,'” the press release states. The book is scheduled to be published by Post Hill Press in November.

“The way I see it, you’re not just my audience. They are my customers,” he wrote.

Gregory once turned down an appearance on “The Tonight Show” because he refused to “speed up” his speech, AL.com reported. He was a frequent guest on The Nashville Network, where he was a favorite of radio and television personality Ralph Emery on his nightly talk show “Nashville Now.”

According to Gregory’s website, he was scheduled to perform in Hoover, Alabama, on Friday and Saturday. His next show was May 19 in Decatur, Alabama.

Funeral services are still to be determined, according to his Facebook page.