As an identical twin, Jonathan Hager attained celebrity as one half of a country music singing/performing duo opposite his brother Jim. Their fame arrived courtesy of the country & western variety show Hee Haw, on which they became veritable fixtures.
Adopted by a pastor and his wife during infancy, the Hagers grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, IL, and acquired a deep-seated love of country & western tunes from their foster mother and father. They began performing together during adolescence, with prominent gigs in Vietnam, at Chicago-area venues, and in the City of Angels. A chance encounter with superstar Alvis Edgar "Buck" Owens (during a performance at Disneyland) prompted Owens to sign on as their manager and incorporate them into his touring show, which led, in turn, to a 17-year stint on Hee Haw from 1969 until Owens' departure in 1986. In the beginning, the Hagers' act emphasized music over comedy, though over time humor began to seep into the material, and the boys eventually developed a reputation for schtick-filled blackouts.
Tragically, after Jim Hager died of undisclosed causes at age 66 in May 2008, Jon reportedly grew extremely distraught and depressed by his brother's passing, and his health began to fail as a result. Jon Hager died around eight months later, in January 2009.
| Title | Year | Editors' Rating | User Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Twin Detectives
Actor |
1976 |
