Image of Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American actress and singer, known for her role as Elly May Clampett in CBS's The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Following her acting career, Douglas became a real estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author of books for children and adults. Although Douglas was an active actress in the 1960s, she was still relatively unknown when selected from among 500 young actresses to work alongside veteran actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen on The Beverly Hillbillies. This series ran for nine consecutive seasons, beginning in 1962 and ending in 1971. Continually typecast as a result of her Hillbillies role, Douglas decided to focus on her career as a gospel singer. During the 1966 summer hiatus of The Beverly Hillbillies, Douglas made her only starring feature film appearance, cast as Frankie in Fred de Cordova's Frankie and Johnny (1966) alongside Elvis Presley. The film proved popular but it did little to advance Douglas' big-screen career. With the 1973 death of Hillbillies co-star Irene Ryan, and Max Baer Jr.'s refusal to participate, Douglas joined Nancy Kulp and Buddy Ebsen in 1981 as the only original cast members to appear in the reunion movie, Return of the Beverly Hillbillies. Douglas was a guest star on a number of other television programs and the subject of paper dolls, dolls, coloring books, and various toys during the height of the show's popularity. In a 2003 interview with "Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict", she summed up her views on the role: "Elly May was like a slice out of my life. She is a wonderful little door opener for me because people love her, and they love the Hillbillies. Even to this day it's shown every day somewhere. But, as with any abilities, she may open a door for you, but you have to have substance or integrity to advance you through that door." In 1992, Douglas and Baer attended Buddy Ebsen's 84th birthday celebration in Beverly Hills, California. In 1993, Douglas, Ebsen, and Baer reunited on The Jerry Springer Show, and for a final time in a CBS-TV television special, The Legend of The Beverly Hillbillies. In December 2010, Mattel released a new collection of three Barbies called the Classic TV Collection. These dolls were Samantha Stephens (from Bewitched, played by Elizabeth Montgomery), Jeannie (from I Dream of Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden) and Elly May Clampett.


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Born:
Sep 26, 1933 In Pride Louisiana USA
Movie/TV Credits:
25
First Appeared:
In the series 77 Sunset Strip 1958-10-10
Latest Project:
Series E! True Hollywood Story 1996-08-21
Known For
Poster of The Nanny
Poster of The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies
Poster of Project U.F.O.
Poster of Career
Filmography
Series E! True Hollywood Story Unknown 1996-08-21
Series The Nanny Unknown 1993-11-03
Series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Unknown 1989-09-04
Movie The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies Elly May Clampett 1981-10-06
Series Project U.F.O. Unknown 1978-02-19
Series McMillan and Wife Unknown 1971-09-29
Series Night Gallery Unknown 1970-12-16
Movie Frankie and Johnny Frankie 1966-03-31
Series Sam Benedict Unknown 1962-09-15
Series The Beverly Hillbillies Elly May Clampett 1962-09-26
Series Cain's Hundred Unknown 1961-09-19
Series Mister Ed Unknown 1961-01-05
Movie Lover Come Back Deborah, Peter's Secretary 1961-12-20
Series Thriller Unknown 1960-09-13
Series The Aquanauts Unknown 1960-09-14
Movie Bells Are Ringing Party guest 1960-06-23
Series Pete and Gladys Unknown 1960-09-19
Series Route 66 Unknown 1960-10-07
Series Surfside 6 Unknown 1960-10-06
Series Lock Up Unknown 1959-09-28
Series The Twilight Zone Janet Tyler (revealed) 1959-10-02
Series The Detectives Unknown 1959-10-16
Movie Career Marjorie Burke 1959-10-08
Movie Li'l Abner Dogpatch Girl 1959-12-11
Series 77 Sunset Strip Unknown 1958-10-10