Jon Hager of 'Hee-Haw' Comedy Duo Dies

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 10) - Jon Hager, half of the musical comedy duo The Hagers made famous on 'Hee-Haw,' was found dead in his apartment in Nashville Friday morning. A producer from the goofy variety show, which satirized country life, said Hager had been depressed since his identical twin, Jim, died last May. He was 67.

Sam Lovullo, the producers and also a friend of Hager's, said the singer-comedian was found in bed and apparently died in his sleep.

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The twins were in the original cast of the syndicated TV show,which debuted in 1969 satirizing country life with a mixture ofmusic and comedy. Both were guitarists and drummers.

The Hagers had worked with country star Buck Owens and joined"Hee Haw" when Owens signed as the show's co-host with Roy Clark.

Lovullo said they were originally hired for their musicaltalent, but as the show went on they incorporated more comedy intotheir act.

"They had a fun personality," Lovullo said. "They were alsothe answer to the Hee-Haw Honeys. We were always looking for theother side of the gender - for good looking hunks. They fit thebill very nicely."

The Hagers left the program in the mid-80s and continued toperform together.

The twins were born in the Chicago area and lived in Los Angelesbefore "Hee Haw." They said in 1998 that they had been togetherall their lives except for three and a half years, after Jon leftLos Angles and moved to Nashville. Jim remained on the West Coast,but eventually followed.

"They were always contributing their talents to whatever wasneeded, not for money but just so they could help out. They did alot of fund raisers and were supportive of young people who wereill," Lovullo said.

2009-01-10 03:40:15

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