RANDOM FACT #13 - DICK ASSMAN, Who Was Discovered by David Letterman, Became Famous Because of his Name

Richard "Dick" Assman (born ca. 1934 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) was an employee at Petro-Canada outlet at Victoria Square Mall in Regina, and was discovered by David Letterman, who was amused by his name. Assman was introduced on July 24, 1995, on the Late Show with David Letterman, where he was a nightly feature for about a month. During this time, he was known as "Assman the Gasman"

Over the weeks, Joe Namath declared himself an "Ass-maniac", while Assman received a musical tribute from Tony Orlando on Letterman:

"Northgate Petro-Canada
Oh, they're relocating
Their new office at Victoria Square
They're celebrating
Oh vaya con dios, Dick Assman
Vaya con dios, my love"

Dick's popularity grew so much that he received a number of contracts to appear in commercials, was asked to run for public office and even received many marriage proposals!

As his fame grew, Vancouver polling company Angus Reid Public Opinion reported that 49 percent of surveyed Canadians in September 1995 had heard of his name. He received a request to judge a bikini contest in August 1995 for the Janetville Jamboree and Truck Pull in Janetville, Ontario. "Assmania" came to a close in August when Assman visited the Ed Sullivan Theater and was presented with a bouquet of roses by Letterman.

In October 1995, James Blanchard, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, paid a visit to Assman at his petrol station, citing his status as "an international celebrity." The Regina petrol station closed in August 2003, but Assman moved to another Petro-Canada station.

Assman or Assmann is a German language surname derived from the name Erasmus. As for Dick Assman himself, he took the whole thing lightheartedly who, by the way, pronounces his name "uzman".

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