Autopsy performed on comic Jeni

Jeni (left) worked with Chris Rock on the 2005 Oscars

An autopsy has been performed on comedian Richard Jeni, but Los Angeles officials said the cause of his death would not be announced for some weeks.

The 49-year-old performer died from an apparent gunshot wound on Saturday.

Police found Jeni, who appeared in the film The Mask, gravely injured after responding to an emergency call from a woman. He died later in hospital.

Coroner's officials said the death was reported to them as a possible suicide, but that no suicide note was found.

Jeni was best known for his stand-up career, and was a regular on US TV's The Tonight Show. His film credits included The Aristocrats, National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off and Burn Hollywood Burn.

He also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Chris Rock.

"Richard Jeni was a friend, a mentor, and one of the best comedians I've ever seen," Rock said in a statement, adding: "I'm really gonna miss him."

Jeni's family said in a statement issued on Monday: "Richard brought us all a lifetime of laughter. Our hearts are broken."