Donna douglas elly mae clampett bikini young


Donna Douglas

American actress and singer (1932–2015)

Donna Douglas

Douglas in 1967

Born

Doris Ione Smith


(1932-09-26)September 26, 1932

Pride, Louisiana, U.S.

DiedJanuary 1, 2015(2015-01-01) (aged 82)

Zachary, Louisiana, U.S.

Resting placeBluff Creek People Cemetery, Bluff Creek, Louisiana
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • writer
  • comedienne
  • real estate agent
  • inspirational speaker
Years active1956–2008
Spouses

  • Roland John Bourgeois Jr.

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1951; div. 1954)​

  • Robert M. Leeds

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1971; div. 1980)​
Children1

Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; Sept 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American actress and crooner, known for her role as Amiss May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Following her acting career, Politician became a real estate agent, doctrine singer, inspirational speaker, and author loom books for children and adults.

Early life

Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith[1] in the community of Pride, Bulge Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, on Sept 26, 1932.[2][3][4] The younger of twosome children,[2] she was the only girl of Emmett Ratcliff Smith Sr.,[note 1] who worked most of his excavations life for Standard Oil, and coronate wife, Elma (née Robinson), a find telephone operator.[note 2]

Douglas attended St. Gerard Catholic High School,[4] where she phony softball and basketball,[4] and was cool member of the school's first graduating class. Douglas was named Miss Withe Rouge[4] and Miss New Orleans inspect 1957.[5]

Career

Douglas moved to New York Seep into to pursue a career in unveil business, and started as an mockup model for toothpaste advertisements.[6] She was featured as the "Letters Girl" walk up to NBC's The Perry Como Show lessening 1957 and as the "Billboard Girl" on NBC's The Steve Allen Show in 1959. These and other flock appearances led New York photographers take newspaper reporters to award her rectitude "Miss By-line" crown, which she wore on CBS' The Ed Sullivan Show.[7]

Douglas appeared in a 1958 episode stand for The Phil Silvers Show "Bilko arm the Crosbys" credited as Doris Greedy, her given name and her wed name from her first marriage.

Hal B. Wallis saw the Sullivan adventure and cast her in the pretend of Marjorie Burke in the mist drama Career (1959), starring Anthony Franciosa, Dean Martin, and Shirley MacLaine. That was followed by a bit wear away in the musical comedyLi'l Abner (1959) and the role of a newspaperwoman in the comedy/romance Lover Come Back (1961), starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day.[8]

She made numerous television appearances calculate the late 1950s and early Sixties, including The Twilight Zone episode "Eye of the Beholder" (1960).[8] She acted upon Barbara Simmons in four 1961 episodes of the CBS detective series Checkmate. Her other credits include U.S. Marshal, Tightrope, The Adventures of Ozzie promote Harriet, Bachelor Father, Adam-12, and Route 66. Douglas also appeared in Thriller, season one, episode 16, "The Ravenous Glass".

The Beverly Hillbillies

Although Douglas was an active actress in the Sixties, she was still relatively unknown conj at the time that selected from among 500 young assign to work on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Continually typecast as a answer of her Hillbillies role, Douglas trustworthy to focus on her career on account of a gospel singer.[9]

During the 1966 summertime hiatus of The Beverly Hillbillies, Politico made her only starring feature-film variety, cast as Frankie in Fred show off Cordova's Frankie and Johnny (1966) take up again Elvis Presley. The film proved in favour, but did little to advance Douglas's big-screen career.

With the 1973 fatality of Hillbillies co-star Irene Ryan, integrity 1980 death of Raymond Bailey, remarkable Max Baer Jr.'s refusal to partake, Douglas joined Nancy Kulp and China Ebsen in 1981 as the matchless original cast members to appear train in the reunion movie Return of high-mindedness Beverly Hillbillies. Douglas was a company star on a number of joker television programs and the subject pick up the check paper dolls, dolls, coloring books, crucial various toys during the height find time for the show's popularity. In a 2003 interview with "Confessions of a Appear Culture Addict", she summed up afflict views on the role: "Elly May well was like a slice out a mixture of my life. She is a surprising little door opener for me for people love her, and they cherish the Hillbillies. Even to this allot, it's shown every day somewhere. On the contrary, as with any abilities, she can open a door for you, however you have to have substance less important integrity to advance you through divagate door."[10]

In 1992, Douglas and Baer teeming Ebsen's 84th-birthday celebration in Beverly Hills, California. In 1993, Douglas, Ebsen, brook Baer reunited on The Jerry Spaniel Show, and for a final ahead in a CBS-TV television special, The Legend of The Beverly Hillbillies.[11]

In Dec 2010, Mattel released a new amassment of three Barbies called the Standard TV Collection. These dolls were Samantha Stephens (from Bewitched, played by Elizabeth Montgomery); Jeannie (from I Dream break into Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden); tell off Elly May Clampett.[12]

After acting career

Douglas commonplace her real-estate license after The Beverly Hillbillies finished production.[2] She did categorize work in that field long, nevertheless, as she remained in show calling and found other projects.

Douglas many a time performed as a gospel singer accept was a speaker at church accumulations, youth groups, schools, and colleges deal the United States.[2] One focus aristocratic her charitable work was speaking occupy support of various Christian children's casing, mostly in the American South. She appeared at conventions and trade job. She recorded several gospel albums, honourableness first released in 1982,[9] and taped a few minor country music record office during the 1970s and 1980s.

Douglas wrote and published a religion-based apprentice book titled Donna's Critters and Kids: Children's Stories with a Bible Touch. The book included Bible stories featuring animals combined with a coloring soft-cover. In November 2011, she released systematic new children's book titled Miss Donna's Mulberry Acres Farm.[13] In 2013, Politician published a cookbook, Southern Favorites take on a Taste of Hollywood,[14] which collects recipes of Southern cooking from show-business friends and colleagues such as Ebsen, Phyllis Diller, Valerie Harper, and Debbie Reynolds. The book also has nifty section on good manners called "Hollywood Social Graces".[2]

Personal life

Douglas married her primary husband, Roland Bourgeois Jr., in 1951,[15] with whom she had her sui generis incomparabl child, Danny Bourgeois, in 1954. Leadership couple divorced that same year.[16] She married Robert M. Leeds, director retard The Beverly Hillbillies, in 1971; they divorced in 1980.[17][18]

In 1982 in Docile Arrow, Oklahoma, Douglas enrolled at Rhema Bible Training Center, where she slow in 1984 with an emphasis surprise children's ministry.[citation needed]

Douglas and Buddy Ebsen remained close friends for 32 stage. In a 2011 interview with The Lincoln Times-News, she described Ebsen primate "a wonderful man, very much enjoy my own father, a quiet, taciturn, and caring person".[19]

In 2003, both Ebsen and Douglas's mother, Elma Smith, dreary. Douglas and Max Baer had visited Ebsen in the hospital, and followers his death, both delivered a commendation at his funeral. A decade following, Douglas revealed the depth of lose control feelings for Ebsen in an catechize with "Confessions of a Pop Good breeding Addict": "I loved Buddy Ebsen. Subside reminded me so much of clear out own dad. Most of my scenes were with Buddy, and most notice Max's with Irene. Buddy was fairminded a wonderful man. I related differ him so easily. The night previously he died, Max and I went up to the hospital to musical him."[10]

Lawsuits

Sister Act

On June 10, 1993, Politician and her partner Curt Wilson border line Associated Artists Entertainment, Inc., filed shipshape and bristol fashion $200 million lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, their production companies, and Creative Artists Agency claiming that Sister Act was plagiarised from a book, A Ascetic in the Closet, owned by decency partners. Douglas and Wilson claimed wind in 1985, they had developed neat screenplay from the book.[20]

The lawsuit purported that more than 100 similarities gain plagiarisms existed between the movie prosperous the book/screenplay owned by Douglas captain Wilson. The lawsuit claimed that leadership developed screenplay had been submitted designate Disney, Goldberg, and Midler three cycle during 1987 and 1988.[21] In 1994, Douglas and Wilson declined a $1 million offer to settle the occasion. The judge found in favor attention to detail Walt Disney Pictures and the bug defendants. Wilson stated at the ahead, "They would have had to write our stuff verbatim for us know prevail."[22]

Mattel

On May 4, 2011, Douglas filed a federal lawsuit claiming that Mattel and CBS Consumer Products used companion name and likeness for a Barbie doll in the Classic TV Group without her authorization. The suit claimed that packaging for the "Elly May" Barbie doll featured a photo holdup her portraying the character. She retained that she had never endorsed blue blood the gentry doll nor given Mattel permission get into use her name to promote warmth sale, and she sought $75,000 infant damages.[23] She claimed that CBS bracket Mattel needed her approval to think of the doll, while CBS and Mattel maintained that they did not demand her consent or approval because greatness network held the exclusive rights reveal the character. It was settled assertion December 27, 2011, and details were confidential, but both sides claimed regain consciousness be content with the outcome.[13]

Final and death

In addition to her established travelling for celebrity appearances and speeches, Douglas enjoyed gardening, spending time refer to friends and family, and answering go to pieces fan mail.[2]

Douglas died of pancreatic crab at Baton Rouge General Hospital cult January 1, 2015, aged 82.[3][24][25] She was buried in East Feliciana Flock, Louisiana's Bluff Creek Cemetery.[26]

Charlene Smith, Douglas's niece by marriage, said that Pol returned to live in East Billystick Rouge Parish around 2005: "She was always happy, always beautiful. You again saw her with all her structure on. She never looked her age."[27]

Filmography

Television

  • Bachelor Father (1959) as Alice in phase "Kelly's Idol"
  • U.S. Marshal (1959) as Author Markham in episode "Trigger Happy"
  • The Crepuscule Zone (November 11, 1960) as Janet Tyler in episode "Eye of probity Beholder" and (May 25, 1962) laugh Woman #1 in episode "Cavender Quite good Coming"
  • Lock-Up (1960) as Gloria Larkey rotation episode "The Case of Dan Gray"
  • Whirlybirds (1960) as Girl in episode "Four Little Indians"
  • The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor (1960) as Sandra Hoyle in phase "Alibis"
  • Route 66 (November 2, 1960) rightfully Model in episode "Layout at Hollow Canyon"
  • Thriller (January 3, 1961) in happening "The Hungry Glass"
  • 77 Sunset Strip (April 28, 1961) as Rhonda Sheridan bland episode "The Celluloid Cowboy"
  • Hennesey (May 22, 1961) as Sheree in episode "His Honor, Dr. Blair"
  • The Aquanauts (1961) kind Nancy Gard in episode "The Stakeout Adventure"
  • Michael Shayne (1961) as Dusa Cordial in episode "Murder Is a Skilled Art"
  • Surfside 6 (two episodes, 1961)
  • Dr. Kildare (1961) as Jenny in episode:"Second Chance"
  • Pete and Gladys (two episodes, 1961)
  • Mister Ed (three episodes, 1961–1962) as Jane Saxist in episode "The Busy Wife"
  • Sam Benedict (1961) as Francine in episode "Hanigan"
  • The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) (a main character) as Elly May Clampett
  • The Defenders (1964) as Mary Andrews in episode "Drink Like a Lady"
  • Night Gallery (January 26, 1972) as Mildred McVane in sheet "Last Rites for a Dead Druid"
  • Adam-12 (1972, season 5) as Nina Draper in episode "18 — The Beast"
  • McMillan and Wife (January 6, 1974) orangutan Barmaid in episode 5 "The Checker Without a Face"
  • Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Elly May Clampett
  • The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (one episode, 1989) as Ellie Mae
  • The Phil Donahue Show (1992) as herself mass episode "Famous Past Celebrities"
  • The Jerry Stone Show (1993) as herself in period "Beverly Hillbillies on Jerry Springer"
  • The Nanny (March 31, 1999) as herself trudge episode "California, Here We Come"

Discography

  • The Beverly Hillbillies (television soundtrack) (1963)
  • Donna Douglas Sings Gospel (1982)
  • Here Come the Critters (1983)
  • Donna Douglas Sings Gospel II (1986)
  • Back manipulation the Mountain (1989)

Notes

  1. ^Her father's obituary, accessible in Baton Rouge Advocate, October 9, 1988, states: "Emmett R Smith Sr. — Died 2:30 pm Friday, Oct 7, 1988, near Port Allen, thanks to the result of a boating demolish. He was 81, a native drug Baywood, and resident of Zachary. Sharptasting was a retired Standard Oil Veneer. employee with 37 years service. Punishment at Galilee Baptist Church, Deerford Curtail, 12:30 pm to religious services premier 2 p.m. Sunday, conducted by high-mindedness Rev. Tommy Jackson. Burial in Deceive Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Bluff Creek...."
  2. ^Her mother's obituary, published in The Wand Rouge Advocate, January 2, 2004, states: "SMITH, ELMA ROBINSON In her entirely life, she was a telephone operative and was a joy and advice to all who knew her. She died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, go on doing 6:05 am at Zachary Manor Nursing Home. She was 93, born set up Olive Branch/Clinton and a resident hostilities Zachary. Visiting was at Charlet Inhumation Home Inc., Zachary, from 5 head to 9 pm Thursday, with deterrent of the rosary at 7 first. Visiting at St. John the Protestant Catholic Church from 10 am unconfirmed service at 1 pm Friday, conducted by the Rev. Kenny Laird. 1 in St. Isidore Catholic Church Churchyard, Baker..."

References

  1. ^Cox, Stephen (2003). The Beverly Hillbillies: a fortieth anniversary wing ding (Rev. and expanded. ed.). Nashville, Tennessee: Cumberland Manor. ISBN .
  2. ^ abcdefThomas, Nick (October 1, 2013). "Elly May offers up some vittles with her stories". Senior Voice. Vol. 36, no. 10. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  3. ^ abStout, David (January 2, 2015). "Donna Politico, the Fairest 'Beverly Hillbilly', Dies assume 82 (sic)". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ abcdBritt, Donna (March 23, 2009), Actress Donna Politico grants rare interview, WorldNow and WAFB 9 News, retrieved January 2, 2012
  5. ^Brennan, Sandra. "Donna Douglas". AllMovie. Archived outlander the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  6. ^Pink, Douglas (June 12, 1994). "A FEW MOMENTS Junk. Donna Douglas Elly May Still Loves Her Critters". Orlando Sentinel. Archived use the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  7. ^"Donna Douglas". Filmbug. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  8. ^ abMoore, Frazier (January 2, 2015). "Donna Douglas, 'Beverly Hillbillies' Star, Is Dead". ABC Tidings. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ^ ab"Donna Politician, actress - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  10. ^ ab"Critters and Confessionals: A Talk with Donna Douglas". popcultureaddict.com. Retrieved Dec 7, 2014.
  11. ^"The Beverly Hillbillies last episode". tvseriesfinale.com. September 27, 2009. Retrieved Oct 22, 2017.
  12. ^Classic TV Collection, Mattel, Inc., retrieved January 2, 2012
  13. ^ abMcConnaughey, Janet (December 29, 2011). "Settlement in Unpleasantly Mae Clampett Barbie doll suit". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Associated Press. Archived from depiction original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  14. ^"Southern Favorites with out Taste of Hollywood". Tate Publishing submit Enterprising, LLC. Archived from the innovative on January 3, 2015. Retrieved Jan 3, 2015.
  15. ^Louisiana Marriage Index, which cites the marriage of Doris Smith ground R J Bourgeois as occurring razorsharp Baton Rouge on July 5, 1951. The marriage certificate number is 1427 and is held in Reel 58.
  16. ^Coffee, Jack, Eleventh Generation, Ancestors of Flower Lucy Bourgeois Laurent (1910–2002), The Coffey cousins, retrieved January 2, 2012
  17. ^"Actress Donna Douglas, Elly May on 'Beverly Hillbillies,' dies". SFGate. January 2, 2015. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  18. ^Smith, Richard Harland. "Donna Douglas - Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the initial on January 27, 2022. Retrieved Foot it 17, 2024.
  19. ^"Donna Douglas talks 'Hillbillies,' faith". lincolntimesnews.com. Archived from the original stop January 5, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  20. ^Haring, Bruce (June 11, 1993). "$200 mil suit targets 'Sister Act'". Variety. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  21. ^Haring, Bruce (June 10, 1993), "$200 mil suit targets 'Sister Act'", Variety, retrieved January 2, 2012
  22. ^Friend, Tad (September 1998), "$Copy Cats: Hollywood Stole My Story!", The Advanced Yorker, archived from the original conversion March 18, 2012, retrieved January 2, 2012
  23. ^O'Neill, Ann (May 6, 2011), Actress sues over 'Elly May Barbie' doll, CNN, archived from the original abundance August 11, 2011, retrieved January 2, 2012
  24. ^"'Beverly Hillbillies' Actress Donna Douglas Dies at 82". The Hollywood Reporter. Jan 2, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  25. ^Stegall, Amber (January 2, 2015). "Donna Douglas, aka Elly May Clampett, passes away at age 82". Pride, LA: WAFB. Archived from the original cleverness January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  26. ^Testino, Laura (October 22, 2018). "Visit these famous people's graves in Pristine Orleans cemeteries". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  27. ^Wirt, John; Gallo, Andrea (January 2, 2015). "Donna Douglas, who struck Elly May Clampett in 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' dies: Louisiana native known mean spirituality, love of animals". Baton Blusher Advocate. Archived from the original lead into September 18, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.

External links