"Hot Dog"

We've certainly had our share of celebrity deaths lately, the Grim Reaper started making an appearance with the death of Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays and Fred Travalena. Not much press was given to the death of a very famous person by the name of Oscar Mayer.

Yes, the guy with the famous wieners. Oscar Mayer Jr. served as chairman of the company which bore his name until he retired in 1977.

Like many individuals in family businesses, Oscar worked his way through the ranks learning all aspects of the company's operations no matter how small they were.

During Mr. Mayer's reign the company introduced their famous Weinermobiles which traveled around the country promoting the company's famous product and handing out weiner shaped whistles to youngsters who would stop and marvel at the funky looking car that was driving through their neighborhood.

Seven of these icons exist today and is manned by two people called "hot doggers". If you're thinking this is a cool job and you want to apply, you're probably out of luck. The job is only open to college seniors who are about to graduate and it only lasts for a year.

One final note on Mr. Mayer, his retirement came at the time when his company reached its first billion dollars in annual sales, then it was sold to General Foods.

Old Oscar should be congratulated not only on the success of the business, but his success in attracting a wife at an old age. He last got married in 1999 at the age of 85. In many ways, Oscar Mayer's wieners are still going strong.

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• Oscar Mayer
• Michael Jackson
• Billy Mays
• Farrah Fawcett
• hot dog
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• celebrity deaths