Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Wondering What Happened To “Hee Haw” Cast? Here’s What We Found Out!

Here’s What 8 Members Of The “Hee Haw” Cast Did After The Show Ended
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

CBS’ Hee Haw made its prime-time debut a little over five decades ago. The comedy-variety show featured country music and humor set on the fictitious Kornfield Kounty.

Eventually, it became one of the most beloved television shows running for two decades – from 1969 until 1989. Although it has been years since it came down to the final curtain, many fans are still wondering what happened to its incredible cast members after the show ended. 

Here’s what we found out!

Bucks Owens

From 1969 to 1986, Buck Owens co-hosted the popular variety show – at the same time, he was the frontman for the American band Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. The band recorded eight albums from 1967 to 1970, all of which were top sellers. In the 1970s, the popularity of Hee Haw helped the band further enjoy huge crowds at concert halls.

However, in 1986, Owens left Hee Haw and was no longer recording. He instead devoted his time managing his business empire from Bakersfield. Unfortunately, Owens suffered from various health problems many years later. He died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack in 2006 – just a few hours after performing at his club.

Roy Clark

His stint at Hee Haw propelled Roy Clark to stardom that he became one of the highest-paid country music stars in the early 1970s. He was even hailed Entertainment of the Year – not only once, but three times – by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

Since then, the American singer made a significant impact on the industry. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Fiddlers Hall of Fame. He was also one of Virginia Musical Museum & Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s founding inductees.

He died in 2018 due to complications of pneumonia.

Junior Samples

Samples was famous for being the show’s comedian as he made a bumbling personality who often stumbled, forgot his lines, and messed up jokes.

Although he was known for his television appearances, Samples recorded several comedy albums throughout the years too. As a result, he earned the Comedian of the Year Awards nomination from the Country Music Awards.

Samples were on Hee Haw for fourteen years until he died in 1983.

David “Stringbean” Akeman

One of David Akeman‘s usual acts was to read a “letter from home” to his friends. Then, whenever he’s asked about the most recent letter, he would pull it out, telling them he’s been carrying it “right next to my heart.” 

He also often reprised his role as the beloved Scarecrow character who would say one-liners, only to be shouted down by the crow on his shoulder. Unfortunately, in 1973, Akeman’s time on the show ended after he and his wife were shot dead shortly after returning home following his performance at the Grand Ole Opry. 

Grandpa Jones

Grandpa Jones has been known for reacting to the show’s sketches with his iconic phrase “Outrageous.” He would also often play banjo by himself or with fellow banjo player Akeman.

In 1998, Jones – who was a Country Music Hall of Famer – suffered two strokes and passed away a month later.

Minnie Pearl

Minnie Pearl, whose real name is Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, significantly influenced younger female country music singers. In fact, she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry for more than five decades.

In 1991, she suffered a devastating stroke, bringing her career as a performer to an end. She died five years later, for which reasons were attributed to complications from another stroke.

Archie Campbell

When Archie Campbell is not busy with the show, he would be recording comedy-music albums with Bull Session at Bull’s Creek – which he recorded with Junior Samples – being the most popular one.

When Hee Haw ended, Campbell focused more on golfing and being an avid painter. He even opened his own gallery in Knoxville. Campbell died in 1987.

Lulu Roman

Hee Haw has helped launch Lulu Roman’s career as a singer-comedian. Later, she started singing Southern Gospel music and has since recorded countless albums. Today, she continues to perform as well as do stand-up comedy.

So, which among these members of Hee Haw are your favorites?

Latest Stories

Dolly Parton looks down emotionally while speaking into a rhinestone-covered microphone during a candid moment on stage.

Dolly Parton Was So Broke When She First Moved to Nashville She Ate Leftover Room Service to Survive

Some people chase dreams. Dolly Parton chased survival. Long before the wigs, the theme park, and the billion-dollar legacy, Dolly was just a teenage girl in cheap shoes with a ...

Kelly Clarkson closes her eyes while singing into a microphone during her raw performance of Cody Johnson’s “When It Comes To You.”

Kelly Clarkson’s Cody Johnson Cover Reminded Folks What Country’s Supposed to Feel Like

Kelly Clarkson’s voice could melt asphalt in the middle of a Texas summer, and when she turned her sights on Cody Johnson‘s “When It Comes To You,” it wasn’t just ...

Connie Francis smiles with hands clasped in front of a pink backdrop and orchids, remembered for her timeless hit “Pretty Little Baby.”

Connie Francis, the Original Pop Icon Behind “Pretty Little Baby,” Dies at 87

She ruled the airwaves before most of us were born, and somehow, against all odds, Connie Francis was going viral on TikTok at 87. The pop powerhouse behind hits like ...

Luke Bryan performs with high energy on stage in a plaid shirt and cap, dividing fans over whether he's saving or ruining country music.

Why Some Country Fans Can’t Stand Luke Bryan and Others Say He Saved the Genre

Country fans don’t just listen, they debate. And if there’s one name that’s kept the whiskey flowing and keyboards clacking over the last decade, it’s Luke Bryan. Depending on who ...

Luke Bryan looks emotional during a heartfelt interview as he reflects on the personal tragedies of losing his brother and sister years apart.

Luke Bryan’s Brother and Sister Died Years Apart and He’s Still Carrying That Pain Today

Country music’s known for telling stories, but Luke Bryan’s life reads more like a ballad you never want to live through. Before the chart-toppers, before the sold-out stadium tours, before ...

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert perform together in cowboy hats as their new duet “A Song to Sing” sparks mixed reactions from critics and fans.

Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert’s New Duet Slammed by Critics but Loved by Listeners

You’d think pairing two of the biggest voices in country music would set the world on fire. Instead, some critics are out here pouring cold water on what was supposed ...

More than 50 country legends and stars join together onstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th celebration for a surprise performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Opry 100 Crowd Thought It Was Over Then 50 Country Legends Sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”

Thought the show was over? Not even close. The Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration already had fans floating on a high of nostalgia, surprise collaborations, and once-in-a-lifetime performances. But ...

Chris Stapleton performing onstage in a cowboy hat and black suit while playing guitar, tied to his big $1 million donation to help Texas families after devastating floods.

Chris Stapleton Steps Up to Help Texas Families After Devastating Floods With Big Donation

When the waters rise, real country shows up. Texas got hit with a storm over Fourth of July weekend that nobody saw coming, a wall of rain that turned the ...

Beyoncé performing in a white rhinestone outfit and cowboy hat during her Cowboy Carter Tour, amid news her unreleased music and setlists were stolen from a car in Atlanta.

Beyoncé’s Unreleased Music Stolen From Car in Atlanta Along With Cowboy Carter Tour Plans and Setlists

Well, here we go. Beyoncé might want to saddle up that golden horse of hers because this Cowboy Carter circus just keeps getting wilder, and not in a way that’ll ...

Darius Rucker passionately singing on stage before walking off after four songs and refunding fans when he lost his voice in Atlantic City.

Darius Rucker Walks Off Stage After 4 Songs Says “I Can’t Sing Anymore” and Refunds Fans

Sometimes the road just knocks the wind right out of you, or in Darius Rucker‘s case, it takes your voice and leaves you standing there, hat in hand, with nothing ...