‘Hee Haw’ Actor Gordie Tapp Dies at 94
The comedic actor is survived by his wife, Helen, and three children.
One of the major contributors to the Country Comedy sub-genre has passed away, with the death of Canadian comedian Gordie Tapp on Sunday at the age of 94.
Born in 1922, Tapp was a student at the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts. The native of London, Ontario put his education to use as host of the radio program Main Street Jamboree. He later brought his talents to television as host of Country Hoedown and The Performers, which made him one of Canada’s most popular entertainers.
He became known to American audiences in 1969, as a cast member of Hee Haw. The country version of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, the show became not only the primary showcase for musical talent in the genre, but also raised the profile of such veteran comedians as Tapp, Stringbean, and Junior Samples. Tapp also was one of the major contributors to the show’s writing team, along with fellow regulars Archie Campbell and Don Harron.
Tapp remained with the show until its’ end in 1992, and since has continued to host various television programs and had become a crowd pleaser on cruise ships over the years. The comedian is survived by his wife, Helen, and three children.
