Biz Brief: Sausage Entrepreneur Jimmy Dean Dies at 81

Jimmy Dean, the entrepreneur who brought a range of sausage products to millions of dining tables for decades has died. Dean died of natural causes Sunday in his home in Varina, Va. He was 81.

Sausages weren't Dean's only success. During the 1960's, Dean won over country music fans, crooning to songs like "Big Bad John." He also made his way to the big and small screens, with acting roles in the Fantasy Island television series and the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever. Dean additionallyhosted his own variety show, The Jimmy Dean Show.

The singer-turned-actor-turned-entrepreneur is survived by his second wife Donna.

Read more about Jimmy Dean and his widow Donna Meade Dean, also a singer.