The term “Black Sheep of the Family” comes from the culling of lambs with darker, undesirable coat colors: gray, brown, and particularly black. Non-white wool has traditionally been viewed as less commercially valuable because it cannot be dyed.
White fleece in sheep is the expression of a dominant gene, rather than albinism. Thus, in most breeds of sheep, black lambs are rare; they require that both parents carry the recessive gene for black coats. Dark wool is so undesirable that scientists are working to develop a genetic test to identify carriers of the gene for black coats.
Famous Black Sheep of the Family
Rare is the family that does not have a Black Sheep. From pop stars to Presidents to television preachers, even the famous must contend with a wayward lamb in the mix.
Here are few examples to remind us that no family is perfect — no matter how famous or rich:
♦ Alice Roosevelt – Alice was the eccentric oldest child of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. She smoked, partied until late at night, and kept a pet snake. (Go, Alice!) Once married, she had numerous affairs and a love child with a senator. Her exasperated father once remarked, “I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.”
♦ Al Gore III – The son of U.S. Vice President Al Gore underwent drug treatment in 2007 after he was pulled over in his Toyota Prius going 100 mph. The young man pled guilty to possession of marijuana and a variety of medications for which he did not have a prescription: Xanax, Valium, Vicodin, and Adderall.
♦ Billy Carter – The younger brother of U.S. President Jimmy Carter was known as a “country philosopher” who loved the spotlight. His outlandish public behavior embarrassed the White House. Billy once urinated on an airport runway in full view of the press corp and dignitaries. He also attempted to take advantage of his brush with fame, endorsing a beer called “Billy Beer” and appearing on late night talk shows. The President publicly distanced himself from his brother after Billy made Anti-Semitic comments and accepted an ethically questionable $220,000 “loan” from Libya to facilitate oil sales.
♦ Alison Carey – Alison, the older sister of pop diva Mariah Carey, is a recovering drug addict and former prostitute who contracted HIV in the mix. She once threatened publicly to write a tell-all book about her famous sister and remains estranged from the superstar.
♦ Vince Capone – How can you embarrass a crime family? Apparently, by playing it super straight. The oldest brother of Mafia godfather Al Capone tried hard to disown his Italian crime family identity. Vince moved to Nebraska, changed his name, and lost the Brooklyn accent. During the era of Prohibition that made Al Capone notorious and wealthy, Vince served as a successful federal Prohibition agent, working to shut down illegal distilleries. His service on the right side of the law humiliated his mobster brother.
♦ Noelle Bush – The niece of U.S. President George W. Bush (and daughter of former Governor Jeb Bush) was jailed for prescription fraud after she attempted to illegally acquire Xanax. Noelle was ordered by the court to undergo drug rehabilitation, but she violated the terms of the court order when crack cocaine was found in her shoe during drug treatment.
♦ Randy Potts – The grandson of evangelical preacher Oral Roberts is openly homosexual and seeks to change his family’s views on homosexuality. When Randy came out as homosexual, his parents changed the locks. He was also denied admittance to his grandmother’s graveside funeral service. Oral Roberts’ eldest son, Ronnie, was also homosexual but committed suicide in 1982.