DeWayne Jessie
DeWayne Jessie, popularly known as "Otis Day," was born on September 21, 1951. He is an American actor recognized primarily for his role as Otis Day in the classic film National Lampoon's Animal House. In this iconic comedy, Jessie lip-synced to the performances of Lloyd G. Williams, who sang memorable songs such as "Shama Lama Ding Dong" and "Shout."
In the 1980s, Jessie acquired the rights to the name Otis Day and The Knights from Universal Studios, leading him to assemble a real band that featured several of his family members. Embracing the persona of Otis Day, he toured extensively across the United States for several years. In 1987, the band released a concert video titled Otis My Man, showcasing their performances. Two years later, they recorded an album produced by the legendary George Clinton, entitled Shout. Although the album included fresh renditions of the popular tracks "Shout" and "Shama Lama Ding Dong," it did not achieve commercial success.
Through his endeavors, DeWayne Jessie's transformation from a character actor into a performing musician solidified his place in pop culture, allowing him to continue the legacy of Otis Day beyond the silver screen.