Image of Vaughn Meader

Vaughn Meader

Abbott Vaughn Meader (March 20, 1936 – October 29, 2004) was an American comedian, impersonator, musician, and film actor. Meader began his career as a musician but later found fame in the early 1960s after the release of the 1962 comedy record The First Family, written and produced by Bob Booker and Earle Doud. The album spoofed President John F. Kennedy – who was played by Meader – and became the fastest selling "pre-Beatles" album in history and went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1963. At the peak of his popularity, he performed his Kennedy impersonation on television variety shows and in nightclubs around the country and was profiled in several magazines and newspapers. Meader's career success came to an abrupt end after President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963. Meader's TV and nightclub bookings were all canceled. Producer Bob Booker quickly pulled The First Family records from stores so as not to appear to be profiting from the deceased President. Meader attempted to take his career in a different direction by performing non-Kennedy-related comedy and released a new comedy album, Have Some Nuts!!!, in early 1964. However, sales for the album were low as public interest in Meader had waned. His career never rebounded as he was too closely associated with President Kennedy. Meader eventually returned to his native Maine where he resumed performing music and managed a pub.


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Born:
Mar 20, 1936
Movie/TV Credits:
5
First Appeared:
In the series What's My Line? 1950-02-02
Latest Project:
Movie First Impersonator 2006-11-18
Known For
Poster of First Impersonator
Poster of Jack Paar: Smart Television
Poster of Dick Clark's Good Old Days Part II
Poster of What's My Line?
Filmography
Movie First Impersonator Self (archive footage) 2006-11-18
Movie Jack Paar: Smart Television Self 2003-11-29
Movie Dick Clark's Good Old Days Part II 1978-11-25
Movie Lepke Walter Winchell 1975-05-23
Series What's My Line? Self - Mystery Guest 1950-02-02