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USA Today
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lulu Roman, gospel singer and longtime 'Hee Haw' castmember, dead at 78
Lulu Roman, gospel singer and longtime 'Hee Haw' castmember, dead at 78 Lulu Roman, a gospel singer and longtime star of country music variety show "Hee Haw," has died, a close friend confirmed to USA TODAY on April 24. She was 78. Roman died April 23, in Bellingham, Washington, where she had moved last year to be closer to him. The cause of death was not shared. Getting her start as a scrappy comedian and Go-Go dancer in the Texas nightclub scene, Roman's fame grew exponentially when she became a regular on "Hee Haw" − the long-running comedy sketch show that offered country music stars guest spots to perform. From 1969 well into the 1990s, Roman delighted "Hee Haw" audiences with wry humor and later a knack for gospel vocals. A bout with drug addiction sidelined her from the show briefly in the 1970s, after which she discovered Christianity and went on to record a dozen albums, including duets with Dolly Parton and George Jones. Roman performed at the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in 1980 and was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in the late 1990s. "Lulu Roman was a dear friend of 40 years and she will always be remembered as one who made people laugh and smile. What better tribute is there?" country music singer T. Graham Brown said of her death in a release. "I talked to her a few days ago. We shared one last laugh and I told her that I loved her. I will really miss her. May God bless her soul." Equal parts singer and actress, Roman appeared on "Hee Haw Honeys," a spin-off of the original show, as well as the movie "Corky" and an episode of "The Love Boat." Born Bertha Louise Hable in 1946, she was placed in an orphanage at two and a half years old, where she would live until she graduated high school. Battling a thyroid issue and struggling with her weight throughout her life, Roman later discussed how growing up overweight led to bullying and how a dramatic slim-down in later years helped her to understand how sugar had been a coping mechanism during a tough childhood. Roman is survived by her eldest son, Damon. Her youngest son, Justin, died in 2017.
Metro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hee Haw star Lulu Roman, gospel singer with 'voice of an angel', dies aged 78
Comedian and gospel singer Lulu Roman has died aged 78, with tributes pouring in for the artist who had the 'voice of an angel'. The star died in Bellingham, Washington, where she moved several months ago to be closer to her son, on April 23, 2025. The cause of death has not been confirmed at the time of writing. Lulu, real name Bertha Louise Hable, made her name on the comedy-music show Hee Haw, which aired from 1969 to 1993. In the 70s, however, while recovering from a bout of drug addiction, she reinvented herself as a gospel singer, releasing several albums and even recording with country music icons like Dolly Parton. Lulu's road to fame was not a traditional one. Born in Dallas, Texas, she was placed in an orphanage soon after her birth and suffered from a thyroid condition that caused her to be overweight. After graduating from high school in 1964 she started working as a dancer at a local nightclub to pay the bills. She'd perform under the name 'Lulu Roman, the World's Biggest Go-Go Dancer', and it was during one of these performances that she first met the country singer Buck Owens, who took her under his wing. 'He liked my sense of humour,' she told Florida Weekly in 2020. 'He told me once that he'd just sit and observe me. I said, 'Lord, have mercy!' He said it was really interesting: 'You're a master at quick wit.' I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I got hold of it later.' Buck, who was set to star in Hee Haw, then introduced Lulu to the producers, and the rest is history. Sadly, in 1971, while performing on Hee Haw, Lulu was arrested for drug possession and was given a four-year prison sentence. After this, Lulu found religion, converting to Christianity, and became a gospel singer. When she came back to Hee Haw in 1973, she'd regularly sing on the show, and this led to her music career taking off. In 1999, Lulu was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and her autobiography, This is My Story; This Is My Song, was published in 2019. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Malcolm in the Middle fans 'crying' after Frankie Muniz reunites with 00s co-stars MORE: WWE star, 43, open to first match in 13 years after forced retirement MORE: Prison drama that's 'as good as the Godfather' has Netflix viewers hooked
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lulu Roman, beloved Hee Haw star and gospel singer, passes away at 78
Lulu Roman, the beloved comedian and gospel singer best known for her role on the long-running country music variety show Hee Haw, has passed away at the age of 78. Roman died on Wednesday in Bellingham, Washington, where she had relocated to live with her son, Damon Roman, seven months ago. Her son confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of her death has not yet been determined. Roman's career spanned decades, with her debut on Hee Haw in 1969, appearing in the first episode and continuing through its final syndicated run in 1993. While on the show, Roman transformed herself into a gospel singer, releasing over a dozen albums and performing alongside country music legends like Dolly Parton. Born Bertha Louise Hable on May 6, 1946, in a home for unwed mothers, Roman faced significant hardships early in life. After being placed in an orphanage in Dallas, she developed a thyroid condition that contributed to her being overweight. As a young woman, she struggled with drug addiction, which she later overcame after becoming a devout Christian in 1973. This transformation led to her return to Hee Haw after a period of absence due to a drug-related arrest. Roman's rise to fame was supported by country music icon Buck Owens, who recognized her quick wit and humor. Owens brought her to the attention of Hee Haw producers, and she became a central figure in several of the show's popular segments, including 'The Culhanes' and 'Truck Stop.' Beyond Hee Haw, Roman's career included acting roles in The Love Boat and Touched by an Angel, as well as music collaborations with artists like George Jones and Parton. In 1999, Roman was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in 2019, she published her autobiography, This Is My Story; This Is My Song. Roman is survived by her son Damon, and her legacy in both comedy and gospel music continues to inspire.
