If you remember the American variety TV show, Hee Haw, you may also recall one of its stars, Dallas native LuLu Roman. While some of the show’s original cast members have moved on to that Kornfield Kounty in the sky, LuLu is still performing and sharing her unique life story — which began in an orphanage in Texas.
Born May 6, 1946, “LuLu” rose to fame during Hee Haw’s run from 1968-1995 after being brought to the attention of the show’s producer by the soon-to-be show’s co-host, Buck Owens. Lulu recalled the audition trip to Los Angeles — and that comedy legend Carol Burnett was her first star encounter at CBS Studios. “The producers had told Buck they were looking for a cast that included one gorgeous blonde and brunette, one boy- and girl-next-door type and a fat dumb man and woman. Buck yelled, ‘I’ve got your fat girl! She’s a dancer in Dallas!’ And unbelievably, at the time, I was — all 300 lbs. of me!”
LuLu’s time on the show, and her life before it, were filled with highs and lows that began in Buckner Baptist Children’s Home in Dallas. Born with a thyroid dysfunction, LuLu expressed that her weight problem resulted in her being teased by her peers and prevented her from being adopted.
“In retrospect, there was nothing funny about being born in a home for unwed mothers, or at the age of 4 being deposited at the orphanage. And so, began the story of little Bertha Louise Hable, who would become famous for making people laugh,” LuLu explained.
Dallas resident Sue Hemric grew up in the children’s home with LuLu. “She lived in the same dormitory as my sister, and they pulled some funny pranks there,” Sue recalled. “I would see her sitting on the outdoor benches where she’d just be singing away. LuLu also brought a lot of laughter to campus.”
Graduating in 1964 from W.W. Samuell High School, LuLu quickly parlayed her humor into a career. Drug addiction in her early 20s, however, caused her to be fired from Hee Haw. But a chance encounter with a friend from Buckner’s helped LuLu find her faith. “She took me to Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Dallas. This was a spirit-filled church where everyone seemed to love and accept me. It was there in 1973 where I gave my heart to Jesus,” LuLu recalled.
As a result, LuLu began performing country gospel music and has been recording and touring for more than 40 years. “Years later, seeing her on TV, I was happy that a Buckner kid had made something of themselves,” Sue praised. “She deserved all that success!”
LuLu’s biography on IMDb — the online source for celebrity data — reports that LuLu agreed to return to Hee Haw only if one Christian song would be performed every episode. To fulfill her request, a Christian Barber Shop routine was created, featuring Archie Campbell, Grandpa Jones, Roy Clark and a rotating cast member.
After Hee Haw’s run ended, Roy reportedly called LuLu his favorite female cast member. LuLu remains grateful for the program that transformed her from orphan to stardom. “The show was a wonderful time in my life because I had no family to speak of, and we became kind of like a family. We went through marriages, divorces and deaths together — all the things life takes you through in a real family,” LuLu admitted. “Everyone involved was a great support to me when I most needed it.”
Today, Lulu performs gospel concerts, at women’s events and even does some stand-up comedy. Post Hee Haw life has found her receiving Christian music’s highest honor, the Dove Award, on her way to becoming a member of the Christian Music Gospel Hall of Fame.
In 2019, she joined tour mates Buck Trent, Jana Jae and Misty Rowe on a series of Kornfield Friends reunion concerts — celebrating Hee Haw’s 50th anniversary. Lulu also co-authored her biography, This Is My Story; This Is My Song.
Readers will find painstaking honesty on an early life marked with abandonment, broken relationships and even police encounters, until LuLu found direction. “Despite all I’ve experienced and all the bad personal choices I’ve made, I’m a living example of God’s grace,” she expressed.
At 75, LuLu resides in Tennessee with her three fur babies, where she enjoys ziplining, crafting jewelry and making homemade candy for friends. “Singing is still my favorite thing to do in life,” she noted. “What I get to do in continuing to sing and make people laugh is a privilege and a blessing.”
Sources:
1. http://www.luluroman.com.
2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0738714/.
3. @LuluRomanOfficial.
Written by Angel Morris
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