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Vale: Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas, best known as Ellie-May Clampett from The Beverly Hillbillies, has died.

2015-01-03_1620US actress Donna Douglas, best known as Ellie-May Clampett from The Beverly Hillbillies, has died, aged 82.

She died in hospital following pancreatic cancer.

While she played the role of the gorgeous critter-lovin’ tomboy for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971, it was a role that stayed with her for life, making public appearances in costume, singing gospel, writing children’s books and supporting animal welfare.

She won the role when, during her audition, she was asked to milk a goat.

“I had milked cows before,” she told The Associated Press in 2009. “I figured they were equipped the same, so I just went on over and did it.”

The show went on to become the number one program in the US during its first 2 seasons with Douglas as the first of two recipients to win the Miss Golden Globe award. She even sued Mattel alleging that they had used her likeness without her permission for a Barbie doll.

But Douglas had earlier film credits including Lover Come Back starring Rock Hudson, and Frankie and Johnny in which she performed alongside Elvis Presley.

Other TV credits included The Twilight Zone, Route 66, Dr. Kildare, Surfside 6, Mister Ed, Adam-12, The Nanny and once appeared at the Logie Awards.

“So many kinds of people relate to Elly May,” she said. “So many people love her, and that means a lot to me.”

Max Baer Jr. aka ‘Jethro’ is now the last surviving principal from The Beverly Hillbillies.

Source: NY Times

3 Responses

  1. She was such a stunningly beautiful young woman.The show was just huge! My favourite was Miss Hathaway.(Nancy Culp). Donna never really shed the Ellie May character.

  2. Yes, i was wondering if Jethro was still alive. Gosh it’s getting so that you can count our old sitcom stars of childhood on one hand now. RIP Donna.

  3. Ah yes a funny US sitcom when US sitcoms use to be funny, Buddy Ebsen was aged 93+/- years when he tap danced off to heaven and Donna now at 82. Valè to to all those on Beverley Hillbillies now deceased and thanks for the memories

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