(in?) Famous Mullets

When most people think of the word "mullet", the image of a redneck loser comes to mind.  But in another time--the 1980s, for example--this simply wasn't the case.  Mullets have adorned the heads of many of our most revered celebrities.  Let's take a look at the most famous mullets of decades past.

Tracking down the very first modern celebrity mullet is tricky, but David Bowie may well hold that title.  The mysterious musician grew this mullet for his "Ziggy Stardust" alter ego, and also wore a mullet for his starring role in the classic film Labyrinth.  

Many tennis fans still remember the glory days of Andre Agassi's blond, flowing mullet contained in a headband. But his gorgeous mullet was, in fact, a fake! Agassi later revealed that in the 90s he began to weave a toupee into his mullet to disguise his hairloss. While warming up for his first Grand Slam final in Paris, Agassi says he "prayed. Not for victory, but that my hairpiece would not fall off. With each leap, I imagine it falling into the sand. I imagine millions of spectators move closer to their TV sets, their eyes widening and, in dozens of dialects and languages, ask how Andre Agassi's hair has fallen from his head." After stress like that, it's little wonder Agassi was happy to rid himself of that mullet not long afterwards.

MacGyver is the quintessential action hero.  Having a mullet never got in the way of concocting ingenious solutions to every problem.  Check out this episode, if only to enjoy the catchy theme song.

Billy Ray Cyrus is a well-known country musician who produced hits like "Achy Breaky Heart." Billy Ray Cyrus also gives us a window into the mourning many celebrities feel once they visit the barber and say good-bye to their mullet for good. Although Billy has expanded into many new arenas, including Christian music and the TV show "Dancing with the Stars," the country star never quite recovered from losing his mullet. The end of the mullet perhaps reflects the end of an era: one in which ordinary people could keep their business in the front and the party in the back. In an age when employers keep taps on you through cell phones, blackberries and facebook, we must always be all business. No party. Not even a rattail in the back.

One man who seems to hold no regrets about his mullet is wrestling great Hulk Hogan.  In his prime, The Hulk wrapped a doo-rag around his head, leaving some party peeking out of the pack.  He also sported a very odd mustache that clamped around his mouth like a square bracket.  These days, Hulk Hogan's gone bald; his mullet has become a skullet.  That doesn't make him any less fearsome, though.