“Heart problems” struck the comedian who dubbed himself “the funniest man in America.”

His family announced his passing on May 9, stating he “brought laughter and joy to countless lives.”

“Today, with heavy hearts, we make the sad announcement that the Funniest Man in America, comedian James Gregory, has died,” they shared. “He made many people laugh and smile, leaving an indelible mark on the comedy world and those who loved him.”

James, born in 1946 in Lithonia, Georgia, began his career at age 11 in the family grocery store. He later worked as a postman and briefly served in the US Marines before transitioning to comedy at 36.

Ascending quickly, he became a favorite in the southeastern United States. Over his 41-year career, he entertained US troops worldwide, performing on aircraft carriers and in military hospitals.

His life story, titled A Bushel of Beans and a Peck of Tomatoes: The Life and Times of “The Funniest Man in America,” is set for release in November.