Jimmy Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman born in Olton, Texas.  He rose to fame for his country hit “Big Bad John” and his television series, The Jimmy Dean Show.  He also played a supporting role in the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds are Forever, as the character of Willard Whyte.

On this day, December 14, in 1961, Jimmy Dean received a gold record for “Big Bad John.”  The song reached number one on the Billboard pop chart and number two in the UK Singles Chart.  Many imitations and parodies arose as a result.  Over one million copies were sold and in 1962, Dean was awarded with the Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording. In 2010, he was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame and was inducted posthumously.

Today, he may be best known as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, which he founded in 1969, with his brother, Don.