HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — For University of Arkansas alumni of a certain age, Teddy Jack Eddy is a legendary memory.
They remember Teddy Jack Eddy as the co-conspirator and occasional foil of a comedian named Mazeppa who hosted The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting on Tulsa TV station KTUL, which was a primary source of TV entertainment in Fayetteville back in the day.
Academy Award-nominated actor Gary Busey was Teddy Jack Eddy. Gailard (Hee Haw) Sartain was Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoid.
Busey will be the official starter for the 2016 First Ever 13th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Hot Springs on March 17.
Actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael — The Bacon Brothers — will be the celebrity grand marshals, and their band will play the traditional post-parade free concert immediately afterward.
Busey, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of musician Buddy Holly in 1978’s “The Buddy Holly Story,” is well known as one of America’s most unusual stars.
His often-outrageous off-screen persona has kept him in the public eye for a generation.
Using his Teddy Jack Eddy nom de music, Busey played drums in the band of rock legend Leon Russell for a time.
Busey is celebrating his 45th anniversary in show business during 2015.. His other feature film credits include memorable roles in “The Firm,” “Under Siege,” “Point Break,” “Big Wednesday,” “Straight Time,” and “Lethal Weapon.”
He became a household name and ratings sensation with TV audiences, too, in Celebrity Wife Swap, Celebrity Apprentice, and All Star Celebrity Apprentice. Busey’s other memorable TV roles are his multiple appearances on HBO’s Entourage as well as a recurring role on the hit syndicated sit-com, Mr. Box Office. He also had a special guest-star role on “Two and a Half Men” when Busey played himself. Additionally, he is the first American to win Celebrity Big Brother U.K. (in 2014).
Busey can also be seen in his comical TV commercials for Amazon as well as “ENTOURAGE: The Movie” and in his starring role in the critically acclaimed feature film, “CANDiLAND.”
The World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade has brought worldwide attention to Hot Springs and helped expand the city’s reputation as a city that knows how to have fun.
It began in 2003 when some friends sharing an adult beverage came up with the idea of using nearby 98-foot-long Bridge Street as the location for some fun. Bridge Street was named by Ripley’s Believe It or Not as the world’s shortest street in everyday use. The Parade swiftly gained attention around the globe for the hilarious premise that gave birth to its annual aura of spectacular hilarity.
It annually features a parade of outrageous wackiness that includes a troupe of Marching Irish Elvis Impersonators, green Irish wolfhounds, zany floats and marching units, plus a surprise or two.
For more information contact Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.