Lulu Roman, the beloved comedian and gospel singer who entertained audiences for decades on the country music variety show “Hee Haw,” has died at the age of 78. Roman passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Bellingham, Washington, according to her son, Damon Roman. She had relocated to Washington seven months ago to be near him. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Born Bertha Louise Hable on May 6, 1946, in a home for unwed mothers, Roman was left at a Baptist facility for orphans in Dallas, Texas. She developed a thyroid condition that contributed to weight issues throughout her life, and she was never adopted. After graduating from W.W. Samuell High School in 1964, she began performing in Dallas-area nightclubs owned by Jack Ruby as “Lulu Roman, the World’s Biggest Go-Go Dancer” to support herself.
Roman’s big break came when she became friends with country music star Buck Owens, who recognized her comedic talent. When Owens was set to star on “Hee Haw,” a country version of NBC’s “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” that was initially planned as a summer replacement for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” he recommended her to the producers.
In a 2024 interview, Roman recalled Owens telling her that he observed her and found her quick wit interesting. She initially didn’t understand what he meant but said she “got hold of it later.” Roman also shared that the producers were looking for specific character types: “They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman,” she said. “Buck said, ‘I got your girl! She’s in Dallas!'”
Roman joined the cast of “Hee Haw” for its first episode in June 1969, starting in background roles before advancing to speaking parts in popular segments like “The Culhanes,” “Truck Stop,” and “The Jug Band.” The show’s format had cast members gathering twice yearly to record 13 weeks’ worth of episodes each time.
Her tenure on the show was briefly interrupted when she was arrested for drug possession in March 1971. Roman later admitted to using marijuana, speed, LSD, and methamphetamine during this period. She received a four-year sentence in January 1972 but experienced a profound life change when she converted to Christianity in 1973.
“After I gave my heart to Jesus, the Lord started working on me and making me into quite a different person than when I started,” Roman said of her transformation.
The producers rehired her for “Hee Haw,” where she convinced them to allow her to sing. She remained with the show until its final episode in syndication in June 1993. During this period, Roman reinvented herself as a gospel singer and would go on to release more than a dozen albums throughout her career.
Roman’s music career flourished alongside her television work. She released her first album in 1974 and received a Dove Award in 1985 for her LP “You Were Loving Me.” In 2013, she recorded with country music luminaries including Dolly Parton and George Jones for an album of standards titled “At Last.” Her contributions to gospel music were recognized with her induction into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Beyond “Hee Haw,” Roman expanded her television presence by starring in the 1978-79 spinoff series “Hee Haw Honeys,” which also featured Misty Rowe and Kathie Lee Gifford. Her acting credits included a role in “Corky” (1972), a stock car racing film starring Robert Blake, and guest appearances on “The Love Boat” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Roman published her autobiography, “This is My Story; This Is My Song,” in 2019, chronicling her journey from abandoned orphan to beloved entertainer and person of faith. In the years following “Hee Haw,” Roman underwent significant weight loss, reportedly shedding 200 pounds through lap-band surgery and portion control, guided by her faith and discipline.
Throughout her personal struggles, Roman experienced both triumphs and tragedies. She was married three times and had two sons. Her youngest son, Justin, died in October 2017.
Following news of Roman’s death, tributes poured in from former colleagues and friends. Former “Hee Haw” cast member Misty Rowe remembered their unique relationship in a statement, saying they were “as different as night and day” but formed a lasting bond while working together since 1972. Rowe added that despite occasional disagreements, they would make up by expressing their love for one another, with Roman responding, “I love you too, Sugar.”
Rowe described Roman as “a gift in my life” and acknowledged their professional history as “the original Hee Haw Honeys and the original Kornfield Friends.” She concluded her tribute by saying, “I thank God for her time here on Earth, and I know we will all see her again in that big Kornfield in the sky someday.”
Roman’s legacy encompasses her comedic talents, musical gifts, and personal redemption story. She transformed from an abandoned child with addiction issues into a beloved entertainer who touched countless lives through laughter and music across multiple decades in the entertainment industry.
