Comedian Vic Henley has died at the age of 57.
His niece confirmed the news this week, with the performer passing away on Monday with comedians paying tribute online.
According to a post on Facebook, Henley suffered a pulmonary embolism over the weekend.
His relative wrote: ‘This afternoon at 3:55pm EST, Uncle Vic went to be with the Lord.
‘We already miss him so much and feel the heavy weight of this loss. He was our best friend.
‘We love you more than you could ever know, Uncle Vic.’
She added that he ‘loved his life’ and that he ‘loved his work because it brought him so many of his friends’.
Over his career the comedian appeared on programs like Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, and Gotham Comedy Live.
He forged a successful career appearing on SiriusXM, while also pitching jokes for Sacha Baron Cohen’s film Bruno.
Adam Sandler led the celebrity tributes, as he shared an image of Henley on Twitter overnight.
He wrote: ‘RIP VIC HENLEY. Such a funny man. Loved him. Thoughts and prayers to his family.’
Saturday Night Live alum Leslie Jones added on Twitter: ‘Losing a lot of folks yo!
‘@VicHenley man was so f**king nice. Heart embolism. Today was a hard day. RIP my friend!! #hardyear.’
‘We lost a good friend today in the comedy world. The talented hilarious and one of the sweetest people in comedy Alabama’s own Vic Henley,’ Larry the Cable Guy tweeted after the news broke.
‘We loved Vic so much and for those of us that have known him since the late ’80s we are heartbroken for his family and friends. Salute.’
Fellow comedian Jim Gaffigan added: ‘Vic was such a warm special funny man.
‘I was always excited when Vic was on a show because he greeted everyone with a smile and kindness.’
Jim Norton chimed in and said Henley was ‘loved and universally respected by other comics’, while podcaster Marc Maron wrote: ‘Sweet guy. Funny guy.’
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