Isaac Hayes was an American singer, songwriter, and actor, born on August 20, 1942, in Covington, Tennessee. He is best known for his deep, soulful voice and his influential work in the music genre of soul. Hayes gained fame in the 1970s with his groundbreaking album, Hot Buttered Soul, which featured extended tracks and rich orchestration. In addition to his music career, Hayes was also an accomplished actor, known for his role as Chef on the animated television show South Park. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Theme from Shaft," which became a classic hit. Hayes passed away on August 10, 2008.