Junior Samples was a comedian and actor who rose to fame as a cast member of the popular television show Hee Haw. He was known for his bumbling persona, his hilarious stories, and his iconic phone number, BR-549. But what was the cause of his death, and how did he impact the world of comedy and country music? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Junior Samples, and the circumstances of his untimely demise.
Contents
Early Years and Discovery
Junior Samples was born Alvin Samples Jr. on April 10, 1926, in Cumming, Georgia. He was a sixth-grade dropout who worked as a carpenter and a stock car racing driver. He loved fishing and telling tall tales about his adventures. One of his stories, about catching the largest fish ever seen in his hometown, was recorded for a radio program and became a best-selling novelty record, titled “World’s Biggest Whopper”. The record caught the attention of country music legend Chet Atkins, who introduced him to comedian Archie Campbell. The two men collaborated on another record, “Bull Session at Bull’s Gap”, which paved the way for their involvement in Hee Haw.
Hee Haw and BR-549
Hee Haw was a variety show that featured country music and comedy sketches. It debuted in 1969 and ran for 25 seasons, becoming one of the longest-running shows in television history. Junior Samples was part of the original cast and remained on the show until his death. He created a memorable character, often stumbling or slow-talking his way through jokes and lines, and messing up the delivery. He appeared in several recurring sketches, such as “The Culhanes of Cornfield County”, “The Schoolhouse”, and “The Haystack”.
His most famous bit was as a used car salesman, inviting callers to dial an old-fashioned five-digit phone number, BR-549, to buy his vehicles. The number was later changed to BR-1Z1Z, and became a national phenomenon. It was also adopted by a country music band in 1993, as a tribute to the skit. According to Wikipedia, the BR stands for Brenda Reece, a friend of several actors on Hee Haw, who suggested her initials for the number.
Politics and Personal Life
In 1974, Junior Samples announced that he was “seriously considering” running for lieutenant governor of Georgia on a Republican Party ticket with then-Macon mayor Ronnie Thompson, who was seeking the party’s gubernatorial nomination. The media initially presented Samples’ announcement as a political story, but it turned out to be a practical joke for publicity purposes. Thompson remained in the race and was defeated in the general election by the Democrat George D. Busbee.
Junior Samples was married to Grace Carrie Bolton, and they had five children together. Grace occasionally used Bolden as her maiden name and it was an official alias in legal documents. His children also appeared on Hee Haw, playing the roles of students and themselves. Junior was a devout Christian and a close friend of Rev. Douglas Collins, who officiated his funeral.
Junior Samples Cause of Death
Junior Samples, whose weight sometimes neared 400 pounds, suffered from health problems related to his obesity. He had a heart attack in 1983, at the age of 57, and died in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was buried in Cumming, Georgia, his hometown. His death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who mourned the loss of a beloved entertainer. Hee Haw paid tribute to him in a special episode, featuring clips of his best moments on the show.
Legacy and Influence
Junior Samples was one of the most unlikely TV stars in history, who used his natural talent and humor to make millions of people laugh. He was a pioneer of country comedy, and an inspiration for many comedians and musicians who followed him. He left behind a legacy of laughter and joy, and a phone number that will never be forgotten. He was a true original, and a legend of Hee Haw.
