The Beverly Hillbillies was a sitcom that aired from 1962 to 1971, following the Clampett family, a group of country folk who strike it rich when patriarch Jed Clampett discovers oil on his land. Moving from the backwoods of Tennessee to a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills, the simple yet good-natured family—Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro—struggles to fit into high society while retaining their down-home values.
The show was a massive hit, known for its fish-out-of-water humor, eccentric characters, and comedic misunderstandings. It remains a beloved classic of early television.
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The main cast of The Beverly Hillbillies included:
Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett – The kind-hearted but unsophisticated patriarch who strikes oil and moves his family to Beverly Hills.
Irene Ryan as Granny (Daisy Moses) – Jed’s feisty, old-fashioned mother-in-law who believes in folk remedies and is fiercely protective of her family.
Donna Douglas as Elly May Clampett – Jed’s beautiful, tomboyish daughter who loves animals and is oblivious to her attractiveness.
Max Baer Jr. as Jethro Bodine – Jed’s dim-witted but ambitious nephew, constantly dreaming of new careers despite his lack of intelligence.
Raymond Bailey as Milburn Drysdale – The greedy banker who eagerly manages the Clampetts' fortune and tries to keep them happy in Beverly Hills.
Nancy Kulp as Jane Hathaway – Mr. Drysdale’s loyal and intelligent secretary, who often helps the Clampetts navigate their new world.
The show also featured various recurring characters, including John Brewster (the oil executive), Dash Riprock (a Hollywood actor), and Shorty Kellems (Jed’s old friend from back home).
Here are five little-known facts about The Beverly Hillbillies:
Critics Hated It, But Audiences Loved It – When the show premiered in 1962, critics dismissed it as lowbrow and ridiculous. However, it quickly became one of the highest-rated series on television, even ranking #1 in its first two seasons.
Buddy Ebsen’s Near Miss with The Wizard of Oz – Buddy Ebsen, who played Jed Clampett, was originally cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939) but had to leave the role due to a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust in the makeup.
Irene Ryan Almost Didn’t Get the Role of Granny – At 60 years old, Irene Ryan was considered too young to play Granny. However, she won over the producers with her audition, proving she could play the feisty old woman convincingly.
Max Baer Jr. Struggled to Find Work After the Show – Despite playing the lovable but dimwitted Jethro, Max Baer Jr. had difficulty finding other roles because he was so strongly associated with the character. He later turned to producing and directing films.
Elly May’s Love for Animals Was Real – Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, was a true animal lover in real life. Many of the animals seen on the show, including the chimpanzee “Cousin Bessie,” were real, and Douglas often spent time with them off-set.