Biografía

Became Elvis Presley's manager in 1956, shortly after having managed to sell his Sun Records contract to RCA for a then unheard $35,000. He got a 25% share of Elvis' paycheck. That share was raised to 50% in 1967 (the normal share for managers at the time was about 15%). Because he also had shares in a number of activities centered on Elvis' image (memorabilia, souvenirs, song publishing), he actually made more money out of Elvis than Elvis himself did.

Is portrayed by Pat Hingle in Elvis (1979), Randy Quaid in Elvis (2005) and Tom Hanks in Elvis (2022).

Elvis Presley tried to fire Colonel Parker on at least one occasion. When he told an associate to "tell Parker he's fired," the associate conveyed the message to Parker who, knowing Elvis' fear of direct confrontation, told the aide that he would go only if Elvis told him to in person. Needless to say, Presley never did, and Parker continued to get a sizable share of Presley royalties until his death in 1997.

Got George Strait to star in the movie Pure Country (1992).

The stage musical "My Boy Elvis" written and directed by George Twamley relates the relationship between Parker and Elvis Presley.