34 replies to this topic

[Arbogast777]

"His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said her husband had some health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock. She said he was eating in front of the television. She left the room for a time and came back and he was unresponsive. She said he was pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m.

"He was amazing," she said. "He had a lot of talents."

LINK

[Righty007]

[Single-O-Seven]

RIP, JD. One of the better elements of DAF.

[Forward Look]

Rest well, Jimmy, you've earned it, because you were the real star of DAF outside of Sir Sean.


http://news.yahoo.co...obit_jimmy_dean

[jaguar007]

RIP

[Solex Agitator]

Aw. He was so uniquely and genuinely american. If only he could have played Felix Leiter...

[Wade]

Aw. He was so uniquely and genuinely american. If only he could have played Felix Leiter...

True dat, Solex.

"BAJA?!?!? I haven't got anything in Baja!"

[sharpshooter]

One of the better elements of DAF.

Agreed.

RIP.

[ChandlerBing]

Saxby???? Tell him he's fired!

[Gobi-1]

Never occurred to me but Jimmy Dean would have made an excellent Felix. I agree that he was one of the best parts of DAF.

"Tell'em he's fired!"

[Guy Haines]

Very sad news. Best known over here for the song "Big Bad John" - they played it on breakfast TV this morning during the report of his death.

Farewell then, Jimmy Dean, who as Willard Whyte had some of DAF's best lines - not only "Tell him he's fired", but also "If you're havin' a good time, let the captain know, and I'll have him steam around in circles!"

His character was central in one of my favourite scenes in DAF - the space laser weapon sequence - and he delivered another good line in that: "One of our missiles just 'accidentally' blew up in North Dakota. Whatever's happening, Mr. Bond, has started!"

Good point made on this thread about Felix Leiter - it would have been interesting to see Jimmy Dean in that role.

Edited by Guy Haines, 14 June 2010 - 08:08 PM.

[Brian Flagg]

Dean's Willard Whyte was yet another amusing character in a Bond movie that lampooned Americans to great effect. What could have been a huge casting mistake turned into one of the better aspects of DAF...

[O.H.M.S.S.]

Rest in peace WW, you will be missed.

[Double-Oh Agent]

RIP Jimmy. Loved your Willard Whyte and your "Big Bad John."

[Zorin Industries]

He was also a great supporter and nurturer of the talents of Jim Henson.

[TheSaint]

"A committed idealist to peace, and how in the hell Blofeld got his hands on him I will never know!"

Would've loved to have met him at a con.

[Aris007]

I guess he's the one who's fired now.(joking)

RIP WW! Truly without you DAF would have been a lot worse!

[Bryce (003)]

Damn...

RIP.

A few years back when some friends got married they took their honeymoon on a 14 day cruise to Hawaii. As they left for the ship I shouted "If you're having a good time let the captain know and I'll have him steam around in circles for ya!"

You'll be missed JD.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

A wonderfully funny man and I really enjoyed his portrayal of Willard Whyte.

R.I.P.

[hilly]

"I'll catch it in the john!"
Farewell to the person who Sean Connery called "The Noisy American"
An inspired bit of casting(rather like Lotte Lenya in FRWL)where the most unlikely choice turns out to be one of the highlights of the film.

[DamnCoffee]

This is very sad news indeed.

Dean was one of the best parts of Diamonds Are Forever. He will be missed.



RIP.

[Dr. Tynan]

RIP

[The Dove]

RIP Jimmy "Willard Whyte" Dean... Your friends Bambi and Thumper will miss you dearly! He also made some damn fine breakfast sausage too!

[Napoleon Solo]

This is very sad news indeed.

Dean was one of the best parts of Diamonds Are Forever. He will be missed.



RIP.

Sara Lee (which bought Jimmy Dean Sausage from Dean, then later discontinued using him as a spokesman) put out a press release today saluting Dean.

Another amusing moment from DAF, not so much for the line but the way JD delivered it: "Baja?! I haven't got anything in Baja!"

[Zorin Industries]

Now, we are sure it is Jimmy Dean who has sadly passed away and not Charles Gray pretending to be Jimmy Dean, yes? No?

(yes, I am aware Mr Gray has already gone to that great Whyte House Penthouse in the sky...)

[Mr. Blofeld]

Now, we are sure it is Jimmy Dean who has sadly passed away and not Charles Gray pretending to be Jimmy Dean, yes? No?

"Dammit, get me those diamonds, Burt!"

Rest in peace, Jimmy Dean; the Five and Dime'll miss ya.

[Goldengun007]

"A committed idealist to peace, and how in the hell Blofeld got his hands on him I will never know!"

Would've loved to have met him at a con.

Saint, I did get a chance to meet Jimmy Dean. My neighbor worked for him as a food broker when it was still Jimmy Dean Meats, and they remained good friends after the sale to Sara Lee Corporation. Several years ago, he arranged for us to travel to Williamsburg, Virginia to meet Jimmy and his wife for lunch. His home is on the James River just outside Williamsburg. While I must say his gruff reputation seemed to be well-deserved, he also had a warm side that came through. He was very generous with his time (about 2 hours), his autographs, and his stories. I must tell you, though, that if you have read his autobiography, you have met the essence of the gentleman. It was quite an experience, though.

[A Kristatos]

"One of our missles just ACCIDENTALLY blew up!"

RIP Jimmy! Thanks for your great contribution to the James Bond movies and for your great breakfast sausage!

[elizabeth]

RIP Mr. Whyte. Kind of ironic he died while eating in front of the TV, isn't it?

[darthbond]

Rest in peace.

darthbond