Sid James attack while performing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre; he died in hospital an hour later. Some, including comedian Les Dawson, claim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre, and subsequently refused to appear at the theatre again. James was born Solomon Joel Cohen on 8 May 1913, to Jewish parents in South Africa, later changing his name to Sidney Joel Cohen, and then Sidney James. His family lived on Hancock Street in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Upon moving to the UK later in life, he claimed various previous occupations, including diamond cutter, dance tutor and boxer; in
James Gregory (comedian) James Gregory (comedian) James Gregory (born 1946) is an American stand-up comedian. He was born in Lithonia, Georgia on May 6, 1946, and he worked as a salesperson until he was 36 years old, when he first began introducing performers at The Punch Line comedy club in Atlanta. His first feature act at the Punch Line was February 17, 1982. Some of his most notable works include an album and a book titled "It Could Be A Law, I Don't Know" and a video called "Grease, Gravy & John Wayne's Momma". Gregory's style consists of storytelling and contains no vulgarity.