I think he just didn't agree with her politics. He spent his free time on the set learning about filmmaking. Despite pointing out more than 100 points of similarity between the two, the courts sided with the defendants. "The Beverly Hillbillies" ran on CBS for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971 and was one of the most popular shows of the 1960s, topping the ratings its first two seasons. She is best known for her role as Elly May Clampett. Alan Jay Lerner. Her childhood in Pride, Louisiana, came in handy when she was asked during her audition to milk a goat. Max Baer Jr., who co-starred with Donna Douglas on The Beverly Hillbillies, tells RumorFix, "I loved her.". Buddy Ebsen, the loose-limbed dancer turned Hollywood actor who achieved stardom and riches in the television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Barnaby Jones . American viewers had plenty of bombshells with comedic chops to choose from on 1960s sitcoms -- one of the national favorites was without a doubt Donna Douglas. Here's the true story: . She . Granny was most concerned with the fact that Ellie Mae wasn't married. The particular role made her a national star. But I never heard that true story about Irene Ryan's death. She was just having a good time, and everyone loved her. click ACCEPT. However, outside of The Beverly Hillbillies, she also known for her Broadway and vaudeville performances, as well as work in film, television, and radio. The Beverly Hillbillies was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on CBS in 1962 and ran for nine seasons until its eventual end in 1971. Half the cast had to be replaced because the actors were dead (or refused to return - Max Baer Jr.) The rest of the cast looked like they'd rather be anywhere else. Some features on this site require a subscription. Chosen from more than 500 other actresses, Douglas said she felt at ease playing the role because, like her character, she grew up a poor Southern tomboy. R18, R19, I suspect you are both right. Incidentally, Buddy Ebsen didn't hate Nancy Kulp, he simply disagreed with her politics. Like Buddy, she too is a successful singer (of gospel), is also a character actress, and is also a Republican. J.D. But, trouper that she was, she never missed a performance. Torrey was bigger than Baer but much less adept at comedy. It's very different today. If memory serves me correct, Irene Ryan was up for the Eileen Brennan part in Scarecrow, not the Ann Wedgeworth part, but I could be wrongI know Gene Hackman was a big fan of hers and I think they had done some off-Broadway stuff together in the late 50s. Douglas only appeared in one film: In 1966, the star acted in Frankie and Johnny, an Elvis Presley film.. 2. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. And naturally, none of these hilarious performances possible without the shows stellar cast. Producer Henning had a devil of a time finding a "Li'l Abner" type who could play comedy. After Hillbillies ended, Douglas worked in real estate, recorded country and gospel music albums and wrote a book for children that drew on biblical themes. The show followed widowed aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas and his three sons. Douglas' niece . He also starred in Baraby Jones, and even acted in the film Breakfast At Tiffanys. In addition to The Beverly Hillbillies soundtrack, Douglas released four Christian albums: Donna Douglas Sings Gospel and Donna Douglas Sings Gospel II, Here Come the Critters (an album of childrens religious tunes) and Back on the Mountain, her final record in 1989. Agree with R162 -- needed more Mrs. Drysdale. Douglas died at Baton Rouge General Hospital in 2015 from pancreatic cancer, aged 82. There was nothing "shitty" about Buddy Ebsen supporting another political candidate. She really was the original trouper. Kirk Douglas celebrated his 103rd birthday in 2019 and has never been charged with a crime. Irene was a maternal figure, who had been through Vaudeville and all the horrible places show business could take a woman trying to make a career during that time. Michael Landon. Press Esc to cancel. Max Baer Jr may have had a decent build but he also had an unattractive moon face. I thought Roger Torrey, who played the frogman (as well as the character's brother) looked rather fine, but I need to watch his episodes again to confirm. Market data provided by Factset. Just before filming was to begin on The Beverly Hillbillies in 1962, she sustained a severe whiplash injury to her neck when a vehicle rear-ended her car, which was stopped at a traffic light. She got freaked out when an Elvis impersonator showed up and gave her flowers and wanted to take a picture with her, she did it, but she didn't say two words to the man.it was creepy. Facts Verse Still at the bank, huh?". More: Theres a very sad reason to binge-watch Gilmour Girls this weekend. Facts Verse She seems to have worked a lot in very small roles- often uncredited. Audience members roared with laughter as they watched the backwoods family try to get used to a wealthy lifestyle. While the country bumpkin type are typically looked down upon by the wealthier members of society, the show taught many Americans to appreciate the simpler things in life. Douglas died of cancer a little after 9 . American Actress Donna Douglas was born Dorothy Smith on 26th September, 1933 in Pride, Louisiana, USA and passed away on 1st Jan 2015 Zachary, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA . They gave me a lot of laughs when I was a kid. But I guess it's as good a song as any actress could hope to go out on: "Here is a secret I never have told Maybe you'll understand why I believe if I refuse to grow old I can stay young till I die.". With his final acting appearance being in the show King of the Hill as the character Chet Elderson. That's when Jack Haley replaced him. Baer Jr. is the last remaining original cast member from "The Beverly Hillbillies" to be alive. What was Jed's full name? "I had milked cows before," she recalled in a 2009 interview with The Associated Press. Nancy appeared in over 90 films and TV titles during her career, all of which steadily increased her wealth. Thanks for posting r75. Sez who? Wholesome blonde actress Donna Douglas, who played pretty tomboy Elly May Clampett on the hit 1960s sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies . They always called him "J.D. I would hardly blame Max for being discontent playing as one dimensional a character as Jethro year after year but I wonder how hard he tried getting other roles to prove his range. It consistently ranked in the top most-watched programs on TV during its run, even though critics didn't care for it. When she died, didn't her estate fund theater scholarships? 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In the early 60s, Nancys name became more popular, and it was in 1962 that she secured her career role, as Jane Hathaway in the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971). She was quite well known. Douglas was also . She secured a couple of minor roles in such films as The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951), then The Marrying Kind (1952), and Steel Town, also in 1952. Made appearances at conventions that celebrated "The Beverly Hillbillies" series. When it comes to Nancys private life, she liked to keep it that way, private. Her mother, Elma Robinson, died on December 31, 2003, at age 93. The hit show The Beverly Hillbillies was the top show in America for two years and hugely popular for all nine . Indeed, when Douglas gave her autograph, she included a biblical verse ("Trust in the Lord with all your heart"), according to New Orleans TV station WAFB. She was 92. In 1971, Donna Douglas married Robert M. Leeds, who was the director of the show. Donna Douglas was previously married to Robert Leeds (1971 - 1980) and Roland Bourgeois (1949 - 1954).. Donna Douglas was in a relationship with Max Baer Jr. About. or redistributed. His paternal grandfather was of German Jewish descent, and his mother and paternal grandmother were both of Scots-Irish descent. Where are the NYC theater queens when you need them? I was in "Home Town USA" (not telling which role). She was a recurring character on Beverly Hillbillies and she was the lead on Petticoat Junction in a role that I think might has been said to be written with her in mind. She kept using the execrable and rotten-souled Buddy Ebsen's brass spittoon as a chamberpot. In 2010 she sued CBS and toymaker Mattel seeking some of the proceeds from sales of a Barbie doll that used Elly May's name and likeness. "So many kinds of people relate to Elly May," Douglas said, according to the Associated Press. I knew Nancy Kulp when she was older and moved back to PA semi-retired. Here are 7 things you may not have known about the beautiful blonde. And Douglas came through it. Thanks for finding John Rubinstein's remembrance of Irene Ryan! Max Baer was written out of a lot of shows because he thought Jethro was beneath him. Donna Douglas, who played voluptuous tomboy daughter Elly May Clampett on the 1960s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies," has died. "The Beverly Hillbillies" cast (l-r): Irene Ryan, Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer, Nancy Kulp, Raymond Bailey and Donna Douglas, Ed Sheerans wife diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy: Spiraling through depression, Prince Harry describes the rest of his life in five words amid 'Spare' fallout: 'Freedom', Chris Rock plans to address Will Smith Oscar slap in live Netflix special, Prince Harry apology 'demands' from King Charles, Prince William before coronation are 'delusional': experts, Brendan Fraser recalls near-death experience filming 'The Mummy' scene: 'I was choked out', Morgan Evans' dad recalls 'everything' being 'destroyed' in singer's life after Kelsea Ballerini divorce. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Prior to joining BiographyPedia in July 2019, he was a Bizarre TV reporter and theatre critic at TheSun. Net Who is Cody Martin Linley? Later, Paul Henning created Petticoat Junction for her. Ratings aside - how would not Petticoat Junction not been a promotion for her? She also was very honest and up-front about herself, even the fact that she was a hermaphrodite (functionally a woman but with vestigial testicles by her clitoris, known because she had no qualms about using her status as a morale booster when others were whining about their problems). 1. ", My God, that was DECADES after the Wizard of Oz. "Oh. I have read that Roger Torrey was originally casting for the Jethro role. Did the actress, Donna Douglas die? The Beverly Hillbillies wasnt the only show Buddy Ebsen known for, though. But did you know that he originally didnt even want to play the role in the first place? BUDDY EBSEN was a real shit for doing that and frankly I'm surprised at how KULP eventually forgave him. She died of pancreatic cancer on January 1, 2015 at the age of 82. Check out our donna douglas nudes selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. This was after Douglas' death in January. The albums were Back on the Mountain, Here Come the Critters, Donna Douglas Sings Gospel, and Donna Douglas Sings Gospel II.. 3. But after taking on Hillbillies, she would only take on 8 unrelated jobs. Max Baer Jr. once said he and Irene spent a lot of time together off the set in cocktail bars knockin' 'em back. Jethrene was a funny character, but Max didn't like acting in drag, and when Bea left for Petticoat Junction, they were phased out. She was a sweet soul.". When she died during the run of Pippin, the cast celebrated. She signed all of her pictures with a Bible verse. He said she could drink like a sailor. In their own way, the Clampetts were a forerunner of the `60s counterculture. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. IE 11 is not supported. Ebsen was the only person who disliked her, for being a "lesberal.". He felt that her celebrity might give her an unfair advantage over her opponent in the Congressional race. From left, Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Max Baer, and Donna Douglas, stars of the television series "The Beverly Hillbillies," are shown in a scene from the show, Oct. 8, 1965. After meeting the sister, he said to her, "oh that explains it, you aren't one of the girls, you're the madam." County fairs, parades, etc. Douglas, along with Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer Jr., attended the memorial of Irene Ryan, when the actress passed away in 1973. February 19, 2023, 6:17 am, by Max plays his supporting role as big dumb Confederate army Sargent "Jethro" with the twist the war has warped his mind until he has become a total kill-crazy psycho. Of the main cast only Donna Douglas was ever grateful for the role. January, 2015. The Jethro becomes a Hippy or Jethro joins the Army kind of stuff hasn't aged well. What was the location of death? She considered it an embarrassment. [quote] My God, that was DECADES after the Wizard of Oz. Leeds died in 2000. The particular role made her a national star. I won one, and I never understood why Granny Clampett's award was so prestigious. In the 1970s and 1980s, she recorded a few minor country music records and several gospel albums. Donna Douglas is well known for playing the role of Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies. As Elly May Clampett, a blonde country girl in the suddenly-rich family at the center of The Beverly Hillbillies, Douglas was the object of many a teenage crush -- alongside competition like Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie), Elizabeth . Was proud of her role as Elly May Clampett in. Due to Nancys secretive ways and her single-life, she sparked rumors about her sexuality; she remained silent for years, but two years before her death, she came out and said that she was a lesbian, but never stated whether she was in a relationship with another woman or not. 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