Jimmy Ray Dean (August 10, 1928 – June 13, 2010) was an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman, best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand. He became a national television personality starting on CBS in 1957. He rose to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit Big Bad John and his 1963 ABC television series, The Jimmy Dean Show, which also gave puppeteer Jim Henson his first national media exposure. His acting career included a supporting role as Willard Whyte in the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever.