Jimmy Dean

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Jimmy Ray Dean (August 10, 1928 – June 13, 2010) was an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman.

He was both the designer of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand and the company's spokesperson for its television advertisements. In 1957, he became a national television star on CBS.

With "Big Bad John" and his 1963 television series The Jimmy Dean Show, puppeteer Jim Henson's first national television exposure, he burst into rock and roll. He appeared in the early seasons of the Daniel Boone TV series as the sidekick of the infamous frontiersman played by actor Fess Parker.

In the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Willard Whyte appeared on the big screen in a supporting role. He lived near Richmond, Virginia, and was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, but died before his induction in 1981 at the age of 81.

Early life

Dean was born in Seth Ward, Texas, on August 10, 1928, and raised in nearby Plainview, Texas, the son of George Otto Dean and his second wife, the former Ruth Taylor. At the age of ten, Ruth taught Jimmy how to play piano. He owed his fascination with music to the Seth Ward Baptist Church. After serving in the United States Air Force in the late 1940s, he dropped out of high school and became a professional entertainer. When Dean married Mary Sue, his first wife, in 1950, he was 22 and just starting in show business.

On the Quality label, Dean had his first hit, "Bumming Around," on the 4 Star label in 1953 (written by Pete Graves). Dean debuted with Columbia Records in 1957.

He had minor pop hits, including "Little Sandy Sleighfoot" (a Christmas novelty song) and "Sing Along" (a television show host Mitch Miller) later this year.

Dean hosted WARL-AM's most popular Washington, D.C. radio show Town and Country Time in 1954, and his Texas Wildcats made their way into the Mid-Atlantic region. Patsy Cline and Roy Clark got off to a good start on the show. Although Cline and Dean became good friends, Clark (Dean's lead guitarist) was fired by the musician for what was explained as his continuing tardiness. Clark was replaced by Dean Clark with Billy Grammer. On weekday afternoons, Town and Country Time, 2005, became WMAL-TV (now WJLA-TV). On Saturday, Dean and the Texas Wildcats appeared on Town and Country Jamboree, which was also carried on regional television stations in Maryland and Virginia on a regional network.

During 1957, Dean hosted Country Style on WTOP-TV (now WUSA-TV). The Morning Show on CBS carried the program nationally from Washington for eight months in 1957. On weekday and Saturday afternoons, CBS carried the Jimmy Dean Show from September 14, 1958, to June 1959.

Dean was best known for his 1961 recitation song about a hero miner. The record, which was shot in Nashville, climbed to number one on the Billboard pop charts and spawned several variations and parodies. It was released in over one million copies and was coveted with a gold disc. In the UK Singles Chart, the track reached No. 2nd place. The song received the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1962. With "PT-109," a song in honor of President John F. Kennedy's bravery in World War II, he had several other top-ten hits, including a top ten in 1962.

He hosted The Tonight Show on occasion (he was the first guest host during Johnny Carson's tenure, hosting for the first time on January 14, 1963) and one night introduced country singer Roy Clark, who had remained friendly. With his 1963–66 variety series The Jimmy Dean Show, Dean helped bring country music into the mainstream in the 1960s. It featured country music entertainers, including Roger Miller, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Buck Owens, and others (such as Joe Maphis) who never had network exposure. In 1964, Hank Williams Jr. appeared in Williams' first television appearance at the age of 14. Hank Williams, his father, performed several songs with him. Dean's sketches with Rowlf the Dog, one of Jim Henson's Muppets, were also included on the show, as well as comedy and a number of well-known musicians. Henson was so thankful for this opportunity that he gave Dean a 40% interest in his production company, but Dean declined because he had done nothing to truly earn it, and Henson deserved all the honors for his own hard work. Dean made it clear that he never regretted this decision for the remainder of his life.

Dean appeared on many television talk shows and game shows in the 1960s and appeared on a variety of television shows and game shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, and The Hollywood Palace. After his television show "British" ended in 1966, Dean returned to acting. Willard Whyte, a reclusive Las Vegas billionaire who was inspired by Howard Hughes, appeared in James Bond's Diamonds Are Forever (1971), with Sean Connery as Bond. He appeared in 14 episodes of Daniel Boone (1967–1988) (one episode as "Delo Jones," two as "Jeremiah," and 11 as "Josh Clements); and in two other television series, including a semi-regular role as Charlie Rowlands (1987–1988).

Dean's singing career continued well into the 1960s; in 1965, he achieved his second number one country hit with the ballad "The First Thing Ev'ry Morning (And the Last Thing Ev'ry Night)" in the United States, and he reached his second top 40 hit with "Harvest of Sunshine," his second best-ever hit. Dean joined RCA Victor in 1966 and immediately had a top-ten hit with "Stand Beside Me." "Sweet Misery" (1967) and "A Thing Called Love" (1968) were two of his other big hits during this period. With his major hits, including "Slowly" (1971), a duet with Dottie West, and "The One You Say Good Morning To" (1972), he continued charting into the early 1970s.

Dean's "I.O.U." album sold well in 1976, becoming a billion-seller. "As a tribute to his mother and mothers everywhere." The album was released a few weeks before Mother's Day and became a top ten country hit, his first in ten years, and the first in 14 years. In 1977, 1983, 1984, and 1984, the album was re-released, but with little success each time.

Dean hosted "Big Bad John" and "Peace in the Valley" in January 1978, a celebrity tribute to Elvis Presley.

Don's uncle Don and he founded the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company in 1969. In part due to Dean's own extemporized, amusing advertisements.

The company's growth led to its acquisition by Consolidated Foods in 1984, which later became the Sara Lee Corporation. Dean remained active as a spokesperson for the company, but the company's new corporate parent started phasing him out of any managerial roles as soon as he was hired. Dean said Sara Lee had fired him as the brand's spokeswoman because he was too old. Dean revealed that he had sold all but one of his Sara Lee stocks in March 2004. The sausage company began re-airing some classic commercials starring Dean introducing himself and praising the product in 2018, several years after his death.

He and his wife and family were residents of Tenafly, New Jersey, in the 1980s.

Dean, a resident of Virginia, was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Jim Gilmore, the governor of Virginia, has named Dean to the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, which oversees the state's wildlife protection and boating laws. Big Bad John, Dean's 110-foot yacht on which he hosted President George Bush on several occasions, was on display. Both were first seen on Dean's cable television show in Nashville, where Bush gave the appearance of Dean selling sausages.

He began writing his straightforward autobiography 30 Years of Sausage, 50 Years of Ham, in the fall of 2004. Dean died in semi-retirement with his second wife, Donna Meade Dean, a singer, songwriter, and recording artist who aided him in writing his book. The couple lived on their property at Chaffin's Bluff, overlooking the James River in Henrico County, Virginia, on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. The main house was largely destroyed by a fire on April 20, 2009, although the Deans recovered from injury. The Deans reconstructed their house on the same foundation and returned early in 2010.

Dean, who dropped out of high school in 1946 in order to work and assist his mother, announced a $1 million donation to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview on May 20, 2008, the largest gift ever from one individual to the school. "I've been so blessed, and it makes me proud to give back, especially to my hometown," Dean said. The Dean and his wife have also contributed generously to Varina High School to honor academic scholars.

Dean was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame on February 23, 2010, but it was postponed until his death.

Garry, Connie, and Robert had three children with his first wife Mary Sue (Sue Wittauer) Dean, Caroline Taylor (Connie's niece) and Brianna Dean (Robert's daughter). He married his first wife in 1950; she divorced him in 1990 due to his affair with country singer Donna Meade, who became his second wife. Two years after Dean's death, Donna Dean married Jason Stevens, her childhood sweetheart.

Dean died in Varina, Virginia, at the age of 81. Donna, his second wife, was able to care for him. She told the Associated Press that she was doing well health, so her death came unexpectedly. She recalls that she was eating while watching television, she departed the room, and when she returned home, he was unresponsive. At 7:54 p.m., he was declared dead. His estate was estimated to be worth more than $50 million.

He was entombed in a 9-foot-tall (2.7 m) piano-shaped mausoleum overlooking the James River on the grounds of his estate. "Here Lies One Hell of a Man," a lyric from his uncensored version of his song "Big Bad John," is his epitaph.

A groundbreaking was held on June 24, 2014 in Plainview, Texas, where he began two years later on the grounds of Wayland Baptist University. Donna Dean Stevens, Dean Stevens' widow, was on hand for the service. The museum features a large bronze created by Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale and sponsored by Hillshire Brands, the owner of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, as well as a larger-than-life bronze created by Jimmy Dean's memorabilia. The museum is supported by the Dean Family Foundation through a gift.

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Entertainment career

On the Quality label, Dean had his first hit, "Bumming Around," on the 4 Star label in 1953 (written by Pete Graves and credited to "C. Graves" on the Quality label). In 1957, Dean signed with Columbia Records.

He had minor pop hits, including "Little Sandy Sleighfoot" (a Christmas novelty song) and "Sing Along" (a TV show hosted by chorus leader Mitch Miller).

Dean hosted the popular Washington, D.C., radio show Town and Country Time on WARL-AM in 1954, and his Texas Wildcats made their way into the Mid-Atlantic region. Patsy Cline and Roy Clark got off the show to a good start. Although Cline and Dean became good friends, Clark (Dean's lead guitarist) was fired by the artist for what was explained as his persistent tardiness. Clark was replaced by Dean by Billy Grammer after he had ruled Clark. On weekday afternoons, Town and Country Time, which has been shortened to WJLA-TV, became Town and Country Time. On Saturday, Dean and the Texas Wildcats appeared on Town and Country Jamboree, which was also carried by television stations in neighboring Maryland and Virginia on a regional network.

Dean hosted Country Style on WTOP-TV (now WUSA-TV), as he lived in Arlington, Virginia, during 1957. The show was broadcast nationally from Washington for eight months in 1957, under the name The Morning Show. CBS carried The Jimmy Dean Show on weekday and Saturday afternoons, from September 14, 1958, to June 1959.

Dean became best known for his 1961 recitation song about a heroic miner, "Big Bad John." The record, which was shot in Nashville, climbed to number one on the Billboard pop chart and spawned a number of parodies and parodies. A gold disc was awarded to it for over one million copies and was honoured with a gold medal. In the UK Singles Chart, the track reached the top of the charts at number two. The album was nominated for the Best Country & Western Recording award in 1962 by Dean. He had several other top-ten hits, including a top ten in 1962 with "PT-109," a song in honor of President John F. Kennedy's bravery in World War II, with his PT-boat sinking in the South Pacific Ocean by the Japanese.

He hosted The Tonight Show on occasion (he was the first guest host during Johnny Carson's tenure), and one night introduced country singer Roy Clark, who had remained friendly. With his 1963-66 variety series The Jimmy Dean Show, Dean helped bring country music into the mainstream in the 1960s. It showcased country music entertainers, including Roger Miller, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Buck Owens, and others (such as Joe Maphis) who had no television exposure. Hank Williams Jr. appeared in Williams' first television appearance at the age of 14. Hank Williams, his father, performed many songs with him. In addition, the program included comedy and a number of well-known musicians, as well as Dean's sketches with Rowlf the Dog, one of Jim Henson's Muppets. Henson was so thankful for this opportunity that he gave Dean a 40% interest in his production company, but Dean turned down the offer because he had done nothing to properly earn it, and Henson deserved all the praise for his own work. Dean made it abundantly that he regretted his decision for the remainder of his life.

Dean appeared on several television talk shows and game shows in the 1960s and appeared on various television shows and game shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, and The Hollywood Palace. After his television show ended in 1966, Dean turned to acting. Willard Whyte, a reclusive Las Vegas billionaire whose Howard Hughes was inspired by Howard Hughes, appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Sean Connery as Bond, his best-known part. He appeared in 14 episodes of Daniel Boone (1967–1988) (one episode as "Delo Jones," two as "Jeremiah," and 11 as "Josh Clements); and in two other television shows including a semi-regular role as Charlie Rowlands (1988-1988).

Dean's singing career continued well into the 1960s; with the ballad "The First Thing Ev'ry Morning" (and the Last Thing Ev'ry Night), he reached his second top-one country hit in 1965, and he had a top 40 hit in that year, "Harvest of Sunshine" was his second best-ever success. Dean began working with RCA Victor in 1966 and received a top-ten hit with "Stand Beside Me" right away. "Sweet Misery" (1967) and "A Thing Called Love" (1968) were two of his other big hits during this period. With his major hits, including "Slowly" (1971), a duet with Dottie West, and "The One You Say Good Morning To" (1972), he continued charting into the early 1970s.

Dean's first recitation song, "I.O.U.", made him a million-seller in 1976. "A salute to his mother and mothers everywhere." The album was released a few weeks before Mother's Day and debuted as a top ten country hit, his first in ten years, as well as a first in 14 years. The song was re-released in 1977, 1983, and 1984, but with modest success each time.

Dean hosted "Remember Elvis on His Birthday," a tribute to Elvis Presley that included reminisce and performed his own hits "Big Bad John" and "Peace in the Valley" in January 1978.

Don Jimmy Dean Sausage Company formed Jimmy Dean Sausage Company in 1969 with his brother Don. The company prospered in part thanks to Dean's own extemporized, amusing advertisements.

Consolidated Foods' acquisition in 1984 brought Consolidated Foods' acquisition, later renamed Sara Lee Corporation. Dean remained as a spokesperson for the company, but the new corporate parent began phasing him out of any management positions straight away. Sara Lee had fired him as the spokesman for the sausage company because he was too old to be able to help. Dean revealed in March 2004 that he had sold all but one of his Sara Lee shares. The sausage company started re-airing some classic commercials starring Dean's voice and praiseing the product in 2018, many years after his death.

He and his wife and family were residents of Tenafly, New Jersey, in the 1980s.

Dean, a Virginia resident from 1990, was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Jim Gilmore, the governor of Virginia, has appointed Dean to the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, which oversees the state's wildlife policy and boating laws. Dean owned a 110-foot yacht, Big Bad John, on which he hosted President George Bush on several occasions. Both were first on Dean's cable television show in Nashville, where Bush made an appearance of Dean selling sausage.

He published his blunt, straight-talking autobiography in the fall of 2004. 50 Years of Ham, Irma Sausage. Dean and his second wife, Donna Meade Dean, a guitarist, singer, and recording artist who married in 1991, who helped him write his book, died in semi-retirement. The couple lived on their property in Chaffin's Bluff overlooking the James River in Henrico County, Virginia, on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. The main house was largely devastated by a fire on April 20, 2009, although the Deans recovered from injury. The Deans rebuilt their house on the same foundation and returned early in 2010.

Dean, who dropped out of high school in 1946 to work and help his mother, was announced on May 20, 2008, the largest gift ever from a single individual to the school. "I've been so blessed, and it makes me proud to give back, particularly to my hometown." Academic scholars are also lauded by the Dean and his wife generously to Varina High School.

Dean was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in February 23, 2010, but it was postponed until his death.

Garry, Connie, and Robert Dean and his first wife Mary Sue (Sue Wittauer) Dean, Deborah Taylor (Connie's daughter) and Brianna Dean (Robert's daughter) all lived in the same household. He married his first wife in 1950; she divorced him in 1990 due to his affair with country singer Donna Meade, who became his second wife. Two years after Dean's death, Donna Dean married Jason Stevens, her childhood sweetheart.

Dean died in Varina, Virginia, on June 13, 2010, at the age of 81. He was survived by his second wife Donna. She told the Associated Press that she was doing well physically, so his death came unexpectedly. She recalls that she was eating while watching television, that she left the room, and when she returned home, he was unresponsive. At 7:54 p.m., he was declared dead. His estate was estimated to be worth more than $60 million.

He was entombed in a 9-foot (2.7 m) piano-shaped mausoleum overlooking the James River on the grounds of his estate. "Here Lies One Hell of a Man" is a lyric from the uncensored version of his song "Big Bad John."

On June 24, 2014, a groundbreaking was held in Plainview, Texas, where the Jimmy Dean Museum, which opened two years later on the grounds of Wayland Baptist University. Donna Dean Stevens, Dean Stevens' widow, was at the funeral. The museum holds a large part of Jimmy Dean's memorabilia as well as a larger-than-life bronze created by Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale and sponsored by Hillshire Brands, the maker of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. The Dean Family Foundation funded the museum with a gift.

Business career

Don Jimmy Dean Sausage Company was founded by Don in 1969 alongside his brother Don. Parts of the company's success were due to Dean's own extemporized, amusing advertisements.

The company's success led to its acquisition by Consolidated Foods in 1984, which later became the Sara Lee Corporation. Dean was still active as a spokesperson for the company, but the company's new corporate parent phasing him out of any management roles straight away. Sara Lee had fired him as the spokesman for the sausage company in January 2004, according to Dean, who was too old. Dean revealed in March 2004 that he had sold all but one of his Sara Lee shares. The sausage company began re-airing some classic commercials starring Dean introducing himself and praising the product a few years after his death in 2018.

He and his wife and his family were residents of Tenafly, New Jersey, in the 1980s.

Dean, a Virginia resident who was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Jim Gilmore, the governor of Virginia, has named Dean to the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries, which controls the state's wildlife policy and boating regulations. Dean owned a 110-foot yacht, Big Bad John, on which he hosted President George Bush on several occasions. The two were first seen on Dean's cable television show in Nashville, where Bush made an appearance of Dean selling sausages.

He published his succinct, straight-talking autobiography 30 Years of Sausage, 50 Years of Ham, in the fall of 2004. Dean spent his second wife, Donna Meade Dean, a singer, songwriter, and recording artist who aided him in writing his book in 1991. The couple lived on their property in Chaffin's Bluff overlooking the James River in Henrico County, Virginia, on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. The main house had been largely gutted by a fire on April 20, 2009, though the Deans escaped injury. The Deans rebuilt their house on the same foundation and returned early in 2010.

Dean, who dropped out of high school in 1946 to work and assist his mother, revealed a $1 million donation to Wayland Baptist University in Plainview on May 20, 2008. It was the first gift ever from a single individual to the school. "I've been so blessed, and it makes me proud to give back, especially to my hometown," Dean said. Academic scholars were also lauded by the Dean and his wife generously to Varina High School.

Dean was selected for the Country Music Hall of Fame on February 23, 2010; he was supposed to be inducted in October 2010, but it was postponed due to his death.

Garry, Connie, Robert, and his first wife Mary Sue (Sue) Dean, Mary Sue (Sue) Dean, and two grandchildren, Caroline Taylor (Connie's daughter) and Brianna Dean were among his three children (Robert's daughter). He married his first wife in 1950; he divorced him in 1990 due to his affair with country-singer Donna Meade, who became his second wife. Donna Dean married Jason Stevens, her childhood sweetheart, two years after Dean's death.

Dean died in Varina, Virginia, on June 13, 2010, at the age of 81. Donna, his second wife, had him survive. He was doing fine health-wise, so his death came unexpectedly. She recalls that she ate while watching television, she walked out, and when she returned home, he was unresponsive. At 7:54 p.m., he was declared dead. His estate was estimated to be worth more than $50 million.

He was entombed in a 9-foot (2.7 million) piano-shaped mausoleum overlooking the James River on the grounds of his estate. "Here Lies One Hell of a Man" is a lyric from his uncensored version of his song "Big Bad John" in his epitaph.

A groundbreaking was held on June 24, 2014, in Plainview, Texas, where he first opened two years later. Donna Dean Stevens, Dean's widow, was on hand for the funeral. Much of Jimmy Dean's memorabilia are on display, as well as a larger-than-life bronze created by Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale and sponsored by Hillshire Brands, owner of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. The museum is funded by the Dean Family Foundation's gift to the museum.

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