Archie Campbell (comedian)
A master of cornpone comedy, his folksy wit and rubber-faced characters made him a beloved staple of American television for decades.
1914–1987 (age 73)·American comedian·Birthday: November 7·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Archie Campbell’s journey from a Knoxville barber to a national comedy star is a classic American tale. His big break came not from stand-up, but from radio, where his warm Tennessee drawl and knack for storytelling caught the ear of country music stars. This led him to Nashville and eventually to the creation of 'Hee Haw,' where for over twenty years he became a fixture in living rooms across the country. More than just a performer, Campbell was a sharp writer, co-creating the show's famous 'Pfft! You Was Gone!' sketch and the beloved 'That's Good, That's Bad' routine. His comedy, rooted in rural life and delivered with a twinkle in his eye, never mocked its subjects but celebrated them, making him an enduring figure in the fabric of 20th-century entertainment.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Archie was born in 1914, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Archie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1914
Archie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1914Born
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1919Started school
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1927Became a teenager
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1930Could drive
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1932Could vote
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1935Turned 21
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1944Turned 30
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1954Turned 40
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1964Turned 50
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 60
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 70
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Died at 73
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
Key Achievements
- Was a founding cast member and head writer for the long-running CBS and syndicated television show 'Hee Haw.'
- Co-wrote and performed the iconic 'Pfft! You Was Gone!' sketch, a cornerstone of the show's comedy.
- Recorded several hit comedy records for RCA Victor in the 1960s, including the popular 'Trouble in the Amen Corner.'
- Voiced the character of Mayor McUppity-Son in the animated television special 'The Year Without a Santa Claus.'
Did You Know?
He was a licensed barber and reportedly gave haircuts to fellow cast members backstage at 'Hee Haw.'
Campbell served as a tail gunner in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was a close friend and frequent collaborator of country singer Grandpa Jones.
His son, Phil Campbell, is a musician best known as the longtime guitarist for the rock band Motörhead.
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