In The News

Country singer Jimmy Dean dies

Country singer Jimmy Dean dies

The country singer Jimmy Dean, who was famous for his hit Big Bad John, has died. He was 81.

Mr. Dean won a Grammy for the hit single, which soared to Number 1 in 1961 in both the country and pop charts in the US. He got to No 2 in the UK’s top 40 in the same year.

He enjoyed other hits with Dear Ivan, PT 109 and Little Black Book.

Mr. Dean also enjoyed success in the fields of acting and business.

His best-known acting role was as the reclusive billionaire Willard Whyte in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever (1971).

In the business field Mr. Dean started the highly successful Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1969, which produced sausages. He sold the business in the 1980s.

Mr. Dean passed away at his home in Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Donna Meade Dean, and his three children.

 

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