‘Hee Haw’ star Lulu Roman dies at 78

(Gray News) – Lulu Roman, an actress and singer on the sketch comedy show “Hee Haw,” died Wednesday at age 78, according to reports.

Variety reports that no cause of death was immediately given.

Roman performed on “Hee Haw” from 1969 until 1993. She also recorded a series of Southern gospel country albums and was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Roman – who was born Bertha Louise Hable in 1946 – was dropped off at an orphan facility in Dallas. A thyroid condition caused her to be overweight, and she was never adopted. When she turned 18, she was released from the orphanage into the world as an adult.

“Hee Haw” was looking for a plus-sized comedian to become a member of the ensemble cast when they discovered Roman. She became a household favorite on the show.

Roman was open about her battle with various drugs, including when she was arrested for drug possession in March 1971 and received a four-year sentence.

She also was open about her health struggles with her weight, including having lap-band surgery in 2005 that resulted in dramatic weight loss.

Roman credited her Christian faith for being the guiding light in her life.

Her autobiography “This is My Story; This Is My Song” was published in 2019.