WebProNews

Tag: Irene Ryan

  • Elly May Clampett: Actress Donna Douglas Dies at 81

    Elly May Clampett was one of the main characters on the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies, which ran from 1962 to 1971. Donna Douglas, the actress who played Elly May, died on New Year’s Day at the age of 81.

    According to a report from TMZ, Douglas died at her home in Louisiana with her family members and close friends by her side.

    Douglas’s granddaughter confirmed her passing.

    In addition to her role as Elly May Clampett, Douglas appeared in several other TV series, including Mr. Ed, The Twilight Zone, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Adam 12, and Route 66. She starred alongside Elvis Presley in Frankie and Johnny.

    Still it was The Beverly Hillbillies for which she remained the most famous. Elly May Clampett was constantly bringing home her ‘critters,’ much to the ire of Granny (played by the late Irene Ryan). She was good at convincing her Pa, Jed Clampett (played by the late Buddy Ebsen) to go along with just about all of her crazy shenanigans. She and her cousin Jethro Bodine (played by Max Baer, Jr.) managed to drive poor Granny to drink from her ‘special bottle of medicine.’ Max Baer, Jr. is the only regular cast member of The Beverly Hillbillies who is still living.

    Donna Douglas was involved in two rather high-profile lawsuits throughout the years. The first–in the 1990s–was filed stating Disney stole the idea for the film Sister Act from her. She lost the case. And in 2011, she sued Mattel for creating a Barbie doll with the likeness of Elly May Clampett without her permission. That case was settled out of court.

    Were you a fan of The Beverly Hillbillies? Was Elly May Clampett your favorite character? She is now likely resting in the big Beverly Hills mansion in the sky, along with Jed Clampett, Granny Clampett, and even their friends from the bank, (Jed was, after all, a millionaire) Mr. Drysdale and Miss Jane.

  • Max Baer, Jr. of ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Suing CBS

    Max Baer, Jr. is the former actor best known as Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies–a popular TV show that ran from 1962 to 1971. Jethro–or Max–claims CBS is undermining his plan to create a ‘restaurant empire,’ and it’s all because of one rib joint in Des Moines, Iowa.

    TMZ reports that Max Baer, Jr. previously made a deal with CBS that allowed him to develop a chain of Beverly Hillbillies themed restaurants, casinos and hotels. He claims he had the exclusive right to use the ‘Jethro’ character, as well as other themes from the show that featured a family of hillbillies who moved into a Beverly Hills mansion.

    Who doesn’t remember Granny Clampett (played by the late Irene Ryan), Jed Clampett (played by the late Buddy Ebsen), and rest of the Beverly Hillbillies characters–most especially the antics that took place throughout their mansion and in their cement (pronounced see-ment) pool? Baby boomers would no doubt love to see such a chain of restaurants serving Granny’s famous possum stew.

    Alas, CBS has thrown a wrench into Max Baer, Jr.’s plans to do just that. It seems they also cut another deal with the owners of Jethro’s–that aforementioned rib joint in Des Moines. They allegedly allowed the owner of that restaurant to use the ‘Jethro’ character. Baer says the character is ‘his and his alone’ to use.

    Bruce Gerleman owns the Jethro’s chain of restaurants. He said during a recent interview that the company isn’t named as a defendant in the lawsuit, and that his loyal customers have nothing to worry about.

    “We own the name, we own the trademark, it will always be Jethro’s BBQ in Des Moines, Iowa,” he said.

    Under the agreement between Max Baer, Jr. Baer and CBS, the actor has spent up to $1 million in efforts to develop his business, according to the lawsuit. Baer also has paid royalties to CBS for merchandise, including revenue from themed slot machines at and even a brand of BBQ sauce.

    A CBS spokeswoman told Philly.com that the network has made great efforts over the years to try to amicably resolve the issue with Baer and will continue to do so.

    If you ask fans of The Beverly Hillbillies, all would no doubt say they’d love to see Jethro Bodine succeed in this business. His character on the show never succeeded at much of anything, aside from irritating his Granny and his Uncle Jed. Yes, Jethro deserves his time to shine.

    Maybe a new Beverly Hillbillies theme song will be created about the present situation.

    “Come and listen to a story ’bout a man named Max…”

    Do you think Max Baer, Jr. stands a chance against CBS in his lawsuit?