CineScope
Donna Douglas picture

Donna Douglas

Acting
Known For

81 Years Old

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.

Born

Pride Louisiana USA on 26th September 1933

Died

2nd January 2015

All Credits

Love, American Style Image
Love, American Style
Annabelle
Love, American Style Image
Love, American Style
Gloria
The Jack Benny Program Image
The Jack Benny Program
The Nanny Image
The Nanny
Donna Douglas
Night Gallery Image
Night Gallery
Surfside 6 Image
Surfside 6
Amy Faris
Surfside 6 Image
Surfside 6
Pete and Gladys Image
Pete and Gladys
The Bob Hope Show Image
The Bob Hope Show
Self
Thriller Image
Thriller
Laura Bellman
The Twilight Zone Image
The Twilight Zone
Debutante
The Twilight Zone Image
The Twilight Zone
Janet Tyler
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Image
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
Ellie Mae
The Detectives Image
The Detectives
Sandra Hoyle
Route 66 Image
Route 66
Dana
Lock-Up Image
Lock-Up
Sam Benedict Image
Sam Benedict
Cain's Hundred Image
Cain's Hundred
Edie
The Aquanauts Image
The Aquanauts
Mister Ed Image
Mister Ed
McMillan & Wife Image
McMillan & Wife
Rita
The Beverly Hillbillies Image
The Beverly Hillbillies
Elly May Clampett
77 Sunset Strip Image
77 Sunset Strip
Adam-12 Image
Adam-12
Nina Draper
Project U.F.O. Image
Project U.F.O.
E! True Hollywood Story Image
E! True Hollywood Story
North by Northwest Image
North by Northwest
Woman on Sidewalk (uncredited)
Frankie and Johnny Image
Frankie and Johnny
Frankie
Lover Come Back Image
Lover Come Back
Deborah, Peter's Secretary
Li'l Abner Image
Li'l Abner
Dogpatch Girl
The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies Image
The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies
Elly May Clampett
Bells Are Ringing Image
Bells Are Ringing
Party Guest (uncredited)
Career Image
Career
Marjorie Burke
The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration Image
The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration
Janet Tyler (archive footage)
No Image
The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies
An Awesome Christmas Image
An Awesome Christmas