In 1969, Dean founded the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in his hometown of Plainview, Texas. Millions will always remember him as the charming and mild-mannered spokesman of his own television commercials for Jimmy Dean Pork Sausages.

When Dean sold his company in 1984, he continued to build on his acting career, that earlier included a supporting role in the 1971 motion picture, "Diamonds Are Forever," part of the James Bond action series. One of Dean's starring roles came in the 1990 film, "Big Bad John," based on his Grammy-winning single. Dean was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year, and was scheduled to be inducted in October.