Grady Nutt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grady Nutt |
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| Birth name | Grady Lee Nutt |
| Born | September 2, 1934 Amarillo, Texas |
| Died | November 23, 1982 (aged 48) Vinemont, Alabama |
| Medium | Television Recordings Books Speaking engagements |
| Nationality | American |
| Subject(s) | Christian comedy |
| Spouse | Eleanor Wilson (1957-1982; by his death) |
Grady Lee Nutt (born September 2, 1934 – died November 23, 1982) was a funny speaker, TV star, and writer. He was also a Southern Baptist minister. People called him "The Prime Minister of Humor" because his jokes were often about life in the American South and its churches.
Early Life and Education
Grady Lee Nutt was born in Amarillo, Texas. He was the oldest of four children. His family was very religious, and Grady became a minister when he was only 13 years old! He was also the uncle of actress and director Joey Lauren Adams.
Grady went to Baylor University. After he graduated, he married Eleanor Wilson. He worked as a youth minister at churches in Waco, Texas and Dallas.
In 1960, Grady moved to Louisville, Kentucky. He studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to become a better minister. While studying, he also led churches in the Louisville area. After finishing his studies in 1964, he worked for the seminary, helping with alumni and assisting the president.
Becoming a TV Star
While working as a minister and at the seminary, Grady Nutt started giving speeches. His speeches were always full of humor. Soon, a famous TV producer named Ralph Edwards noticed him. Ralph Edwards produced popular shows like Truth or Consequences.
Grady quickly became a regular guest on The Mike Douglas Show, a popular talk show. This helped him become well-known across the country.
In 1979, Grady joined the cast of Hee Haw. This was a very popular TV show with country music and comedy sketches. On Hee Haw, Grady had a special part where he would tell jokes and stories without a script. He was on the show until he passed away.
In 1981, Grady Nutt even starred in a TV show pilot for NBC. It was a comedy called The Grady Nutt Show. He played a character named Rev. Grady Williams. The show was about a minister dealing with funny situations, like preaching a funeral for someone nobody liked, and his teenage daughter's dating life. The pilot episode was shown on TV, but it wasn't made into a full series before his death.
Grady also wrote several books, including The Gospel According to Norton and his autobiography, So Good, So Far. He released funny records and even a gospel music album called Give the World A Smile.
His Final Years and Legacy
On November 23, 1982, Grady Nutt was in Cullman, Alabama for a speaking event. After his event, he got on a small plane. Sadly, the plane crashed right after taking off. Grady, the pilot, and the co-pilot all passed away. Bad weather, like fog and rain, might have caused the accident. He was buried in Tennessee.
After Grady Nutt passed away, the Gospel Music Association created an award in his honor. It's called the Grady Nutt Humor award, and it celebrates great Christian comedy.
His wife, Eleanor, also started the Grady Nutt Endowment Fund at the University of Louisville. This fund gives money to students for creative arts projects. A special collection of his work was also created at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.
Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Kentucky named its athletic center the Grady Nutt Athletic Center to remember him.
