Lulu Roman Death: ‘Hee Haw’ Star and Gospel Singer Passes Away at 78

Lulu Roman Death Announcement and Reaction

The entertainment world is mourning the Lulu Roman death news that was confirmed on April 18, 2025. The beloved comedian and gospel singer, best known for her memorable 24-year run on the country variety show “Hee Haw,” has passed away at the age of 78. The Lulu Roman death announcement came from her son, Damon Roman, who confirmed the sad news to The Hollywood Reporter. As of this writing, no specific cause of death has been determined or shared with the public.

News of Lulu Roman’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow entertainers alike. Throughout her lengthy career, Roman touched countless lives, both through her comedic performances and her inspiring personal journey of overcoming addiction and finding faith. The Lulu Roman death marks the end of an era for classic television fans and gospel music enthusiasts who followed her remarkable transformation from troubled orphan to beloved entertainment icon.

Lulu Roman’s Enduring Legacy on ‘Hee Haw’

Long before the Lulu Roman death news shocked fans, she had cemented her place in television history through her remarkable tenure on “Hee Haw.” Roman holds the distinction of appearing on both the very first episode of the pioneering sketch comedy show in June 1969 and its final broadcast in June 1993. This 24-year span made her one of the most recognizable and beloved figures of the groundbreaking country-themed variety program.

Throughout her decades on “Hee Haw,” Roman developed a massive following for her self-deprecating humor and authentic persona. Her willingness to be the subject of jokes about her weight demonstrated her good nature and became part of her signature appeal. Before the Lulu Roman death, she had often reflected on how the show provided not just a career opportunity but a family environment where she felt accepted despite her troubled past. Her comedy sketches with fellow cast members helped define the show’s folksy, down-home appeal that resonated with millions of viewers across America.

From Orphanage to Stardom: Lulu Roman’s Early Struggles

The path leading to fame and eventually to the Lulu Roman death news was anything but easy. Born Bertha Louise Hable in 1946 in a home for unwed mothers, Roman’s early life was marked by abandonment and hardship. She was left at an orphanage in Dallas, Texas, where she spent her formative years without ever being adopted. This difficult beginning would shape her perspective and later fuel both her comedy and her faith journey.

Even before the entertainment career that would make her famous, Roman faced significant challenges. She developed substance abuse issues while still in school, a struggle that would follow her into adulthood. After graduating, she supported her drug habit by dancing in nightclubs owned by Jack Ruby—a name that would later become infamous when he shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald after the assassination of President Kennedy. These early hardships created the foundation for the resilience that would later define her life story, making the Lulu Roman death all the more poignant for those who understood her journey.

Leroy Van Dyke and Lulu Roman attend the 2nd Annual Legendary Lunch presented by Webster Public Relations and CMA at The Palm Restaurant on February 8, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The Buck Owens Connection That Changed Her Life

The trajectory leading to stardom and away from the troubles that preceded the Lulu Roman death began with a fortuitous meeting with country music legend Buck Owens. It was Owens who saw something special in Roman—a natural comedic talent that would resonate with audiences. In a 2020 interview that now takes on added poignancy following the Lulu Roman death, she recalled Owens telling her, “He liked my sense of humor. He told me once that he’d just sit and observe me. I said, ‘Lord have mercy!’ He said it was real interesting: ‘You’re a master at quick wit.'”

When the time came to assemble a cast for the new country variety show “Hee Haw,” Owens remembered the witty woman from Dallas. As Roman later explained in one of her final interviews before the Lulu Roman death: “They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman. Buck said, ‘I got your girl! She’s in Dallas!'” This recommendation would change Roman’s life forever, setting her on a path to television stardom and eventually providing the platform for her second career as a gospel singer.

Drug Arrest and Career Setback

Despite her early success on “Hee Haw,” the demons that had plagued Roman since childhood continued to haunt her. In 1971, just two years after joining the show, Roman’s escalating substance abuse problems led to a dramatic career setback when she was arrested for drug possession. This incident forced her to step away from the television show that had given her fame and purpose. Before the Lulu Roman death decades later, this period would stand as the lowest point in her professional life.

The arrest and subsequent departure from “Hee Haw” could have been the end of Roman’s story in entertainment, a cautionary tale of talent derailed by addiction. However, what might have been a final chapter became instead a turning point that would define the remainder of her life leading up to the Lulu Roman death. This period of darkness would set the stage for what many fans consider the most inspiring aspect of her life story—her recovery and spiritual transformation.

George Lindsey and Lulu Roman attend Country’s Family Reunion Salute to the Kornfield on May 27, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dean Dixon via Getty Images)

Spiritual Transformation and Gospel Music Career

The most remarkable chapter in the story now punctuated by the Lulu Roman death began in 1973, when she experienced two life-changing developments: sobriety and conversion to Christianity. With her newfound faith and clean lifestyle, Roman was invited back to “Hee Haw,” but this time she returned as a changed woman. In what would become a defining career pivot before the Lulu Roman death, she convinced the show’s producers to allow her to showcase her singing talents in addition to her comedy.

“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 once reflected in a statement that gains additional resonance following the Lulu Roman death. This spiritual transformation became the foundation for her second career as a gospel singer, where she recorded multiple albums and performed with some of the biggest names in country and gospel music, including Dolly Parton. Her musical journey became a testament to redemption and second chances that inspired many fans who would later mourn the Lulu Roman death.

Final Years and Professional Legacy

In the years preceding the Lulu Roman death, she remained active in both entertainment and ministry. She continued to make appearances at country music events, “Hee Haw” reunions, and Christian gatherings where she shared her testimony of transformation. Her story of overcoming addiction through faith resonated with many who faced similar struggles, establishing her as not just an entertainer but as an inspiration to those battling their own demons.

The professional legacy left behind after the Lulu Roman death encompasses both her pioneering role as a female comedian who was unafraid to be vulnerable and her influential work as a gospel performer. She showed that reinvention was possible at any stage of life and that past mistakes need not define one’s future. For many fans, the Lulu Roman death marks the loss not just of a talented performer but of a symbol of hope and redemption.

Tributes and Remembrances

As news of the Lulu Roman death spreads throughout the entertainment world, tributes have begun pouring in from fellow performers, fans, and the Christian community. Many have highlighted her unique ability to make people laugh while also touching hearts through her music and testimony. The dual impact of her comedy and gospel careers has created a diverse group of mourners united in appreciation for her contributions to both fields.

While the entertainment industry processes the Lulu Roman death, her legacy will undoubtedly live on through both “Hee Haw” reruns that continue to introduce her comedy to new generations and through the gospel recordings that capture her spiritual journey. From abandoned orphan to beloved television star, from struggling addict to inspirational gospel singer, Roman’s life story remains a powerful reminder of resilience and redemption. As fans and colleagues alike mourn the Lulu Roman death, they also celebrate a remarkable life journey that touched and transformed countless lives along the way.