Jimmy Dean

American singer (1928-2010)

Jimmy Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman. He created the Jimmy Dean sausage brand and was the spokesman for its TV commercials. He also had a successful acting career, appearing in shows like Daniel Boone and the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.

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About the Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Ray Deanwas an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. He was the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand as well as the spokesman for its TV commercials, and his likeness and voice continue to be used in advertisements after his death.

He became a national television personality starting on CBS in 1957. He rose to fame for his 1961 country music crossover hit into rock and roll with “Big Bad John” and his 1963 television series The Jimmy Dean Show gave puppeteer Jim Henson his first national exposure with his character, Rowlf.

His acting career included appearing in the early seasons in the Daniel Boone TV series as the sidekick of the famous frontiersman played by star Fess Parker. Later, he was on the big screen in a supporting role as billionaire Willard Whyte in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971), starring Sean Connery.

He lived near Richmond, Virginia, and was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, but died before his induction that year at the age of 81.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jimmy Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman. He was best known for creating the Jimmy Dean sausage brand and starring in its TV commercials.

Jimmy Dean’s biggest hit song was ,Big Bad John,, which was a crossover country and rock and roll hit in 1961.

Jimmy Dean’s 1963 television series The Jimmy Dean Show gave puppeteer Jim Henson his first national exposure with his character, Rowlf.

Jimmy Dean had a supporting role as billionaire Willard Whyte in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, starring Sean Connery.

Jimmy Dean was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, but he died later that year at the age of 81 before being inducted.

Jimmy Dean lived near Richmond, Virginia.

Jimmy Dean was the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand and served as the spokesman for its TV commercials, and his likeness and voice continue to be used in advertisements after his death.

9 Quotes by Jimmy Dean

  1. 1.

    I made more money yesterday than I ever thought I’d make in an entire lifetime. But it’s like somebody’s going to take it all away from me and I’ll be back in Texas, installing them damned irrigation wells. I didn’t like that when I was sixteen. And I know I wouldn’t like it when I’m eighty.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  2. 2.

    Poverty was the greatest motivating factor in my life.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  3. 3.

    I used to help my granddaddy make sausage. He would mix it up in a cleaned-out washtub with his hands, no gloves. Man, if we did anything like that today, they would jack the jail up and throw us under it.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  4. 4.

    I’ve seen so many people in this business that made a fortune. They get old and broke and can’t make any money. I tell you something… no one’s going to play a benefit for Jimmy Dean.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  5. 5.

    A lot of things I am, and a lot of things I am not. But I think I’m about as good an American as there is. I love this country. It’s been very, very good to me. And it will be good to anybody if they are willing to give of themselves.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  6. 6.

    You gotta try your luck at least once a day, because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  7. 7.

    I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  8. 8.

    God is bigger than people think.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)

  9. 9.

    Love is an ice cream sundae, with all the marvelous coverings. Sex is the cherry on top.

    Jimmy Dean

    American singer (1928-2010)