The Last Clampett: What Happened To The Cast Of The Beverly Hillbillies In 2025?
The Beverly Hillbillies remains one of the most iconic and enduring sitcoms in American television history, running for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971. The fish-out-of-water comedy about the Clampett family—who struck oil and moved from the Ozarks to the luxurious Beverly Hills—captivated millions, becoming a cultural phenomenon of the 1960s.
As of late December 2025, the passage of time has sadly claimed almost all of the beloved principal cast members. The show's legacy now rests with a single, surviving star whose post-show career took a surprising and lucrative turn into the world of entertainment and business. This deep dive into the lives and careers of the main cast reveals their full biographies, their final years, and the lasting impact of their iconic roles.
The Complete Biography of the Beverly Hillbillies Principal Cast
To truly appreciate the show's enduring appeal, one must look at the talented actors who brought the Clampetts and their Beverly Hills neighbors to life. This list provides a comprehensive look at the main cast, their roles, and their vital statistics.
- Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett)
- Role: Jed Clampett, the kind-hearted, philosophical patriarch who found the oil ("black gold, Texas tea").
- Born: Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.
- Died: July 6, 2003, in Torrance, California, at age 95, due to pneumonia.
- Career Highlights: Ebsen was an accomplished dancer and actor whose career spanned over 70 years. Before The Beverly Hillbillies, he was famously the original choice for the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz but had to drop out due to an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust makeup. After the sitcom, he successfully transitioned into the title role of the popular detective series Barnaby Jones (1973–1980).
- Irene Ryan (Daisy May "Granny" Moses)
- Role: Granny, Jed's feisty, shotgun-toting mother-in-law, a self-proclaimed doctor with a penchant for mountain remedies.
- Born: Irene Noblette, October 17, 1902, in El Paso, Texas.
- Died: April 26, 1973, in Santa Monica, California, at age 70. Her death was attributed to glioblastoma (brain cancer) and heart disease.
- Career Highlights: A veteran of vaudeville, radio, and Broadway, Ryan received an Emmy nomination for her role as Granny. After the show's cancellation, she returned to Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for her role in the musical Pippin shortly before her death.
- Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett)
- Role: Elly May Clampett, Jed's tomboy daughter who loved her "critters" and was often the subject of matchmaking attempts.
- Born: Doris Ione Smith, September 26, 1932, in Pride, Louisiana.
- Died: January 1, 2015, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at age 82, from pancreatic cancer.
- Career Highlights: Douglas was a former Miss New Orleans who also starred opposite Elvis Presley in the film Frankie and Johnny (1966). Following The Beverly Hillbillies, she focused on a career as a gospel singer and speaker, making appearances at Christian conventions and often wearing her signature Elly May pigtails.
- Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine)
- Role: Jethro Bodine, Jed's simple-minded, six-foot-six nephew, who often pursued various ridiculous careers like a brain surgeon or a double-naught spy.
- Born: Maximilian Adelbert Baer Jr., December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California.
- Current Status: As of 2025, Max Baer Jr. is the last surviving principal cast member of the original series.
- Career Highlights: Baer Jr. is the son of boxing champion Max Baer. After the show, he found significant success behind the camera, writing, producing, and directing the hit independent film Ode to Billy Joe (1976). His post-acting career is detailed further below.
- Nancy Kulp (Miss Jane Hathaway)
- Role: Miss Jane Hathaway, the prim and proper, highly educated bank secretary (and Milburn Drysdale's assistant) who was fascinated by the Clampetts' "primitive" culture.
- Born: Nancy Jane Kulp, August 28, 1921, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- Died: February 3, 1991, in Palm Desert, California, at age 69, from cancer.
- Career Highlights: Kulp was an Emmy-nominated character actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows. She also famously ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1984 as a Democrat in Pennsylvania, though she was unsuccessful.
- Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale)
- Role: Milburn Drysdale, the greedy, high-strung, and often exasperated president of the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills, whose entire focus was keeping the Clampetts' massive fortune in his bank.
- Born: Raymond Thomas Bailey, May 6, 1904, in San Francisco, California.
- Died: April 15, 1980, in Irvine, California, at age 75, due to a heart attack.
- Career Highlights: Bailey was a prolific character actor with over 100 film credits before his iconic role as Mr. Drysdale. His last major role was in The Beverly Hillbillies, after which health issues limited his acting work.
The Enduring Legacy and Surprising Post-Show Ventures
The success of The Beverly Hillbillies was monumental, often ranking at the top of the Nielsen ratings during its run, making its stars household names. The show's cancellation in 1971 was part of the "rural purge," where CBS abruptly dropped several popular shows with rural themes, including Green Acres and Petticoat Junction, to appeal to a more urban, younger demographic. Despite the sudden end, the cast members continued to work, though none would escape the shadow of their famous Clampett characters.
Buddy Ebsen's successful transition to the detective genre with Barnaby Jones proved his versatility, solidifying his status as a TV legend. Irene Ryan's final, critically acclaimed performance on Broadway demonstrated her roots as a brilliant stage performer. Donna Douglas dedicated her later life to her Christian faith, using her fame to connect with fans through gospel music and public speaking.
Max Baer Jr.: The Last Clampett and a $50 Million Empire
The most compelling and up-to-date story belongs to Max Baer Jr., the last surviving member of the core cast. While his co-stars pursued acting, singing, or politics, Baer Jr. leveraged his fame as Jethro Bodine into a highly successful career as an entrepreneur and businessman.
Baer Jr.'s primary focus shifted to the casino and resort industry. He famously spent decades attempting to build a chain of casinos, hotels, and restaurants based on the Beverly Hillbillies theme. His vision included a $150 million resort in Nevada, complete with a "Jethro's Casino" and a "Granny's Gourmet Cooking" restaurant.
While the full-scale resort faced numerous delays and legal hurdles, Baer Jr. successfully secured the licensing rights to the Beverly Hillbillies name and characters, excluding the original TV show footage. This move allowed him to control the merchandising and theme-based ventures.
His business acumen and licensing deals have resulted in an estimated net worth of approximately $50 million, a testament to his ambition beyond the small screen. Max Baer Jr.'s journey from the goofy, six-grade-educated Jethro Bodine to a successful Hollywood director and casino mogul is a unique chapter in television history, proving that the actor was far more astute than the character he played.
The Cultural Impact of the Clampett Family
Decades after its debut, the show's cultural impact remains profound. The Beverly Hillbillies was more than just a comedy; it was a social satire that highlighted the clash between urban sophistication and rural simplicity. The Clampetts' unwavering moral compass and common-sense values often exposed the absurdity and snobbery of the "high society" surrounding them, particularly the perpetually anxious Milburn Drysdale and the intellectual Miss Jane Hathaway.
The show's success paved the way for other sitcoms centered on rural characters navigating modern life, such as Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, all created by the same producer, Paul Henning. The show's theme song, "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," was a massive hit, reaching number one on the Billboard country chart, a rare feat for a TV theme.
Today, the series is remembered for its wholesome humor, its catchy premise, and the unforgettable performances of its cast. As the last surviving principal star, Max Baer Jr. carries the torch of this beloved sitcom, ensuring that the legacy of Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro—the hillbillies who struck it rich—continues to resonate with new generations.
Detail Author:
- Name : Miss Ophelia Powlowski
- Username : leone.grimes
- Email : ahomenick@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 1982-03-27
- Address : 6129 Edwin Crossroad Lemkeview, IN 37498
- Phone : (321) 265-6180
- Company : Russel-Nitzsche
- Job : Tax Preparer
- Bio : Totam blanditiis quasi pariatur aut libero. Quia recusandae doloribus explicabo. Quo explicabo porro quibusdam non. Quia quis fugiat aut voluptate.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/kreiger1981
- username : kreiger1981
- bio : Fugiat maiores est beatae deleniti esse sit dolore. Inventore occaecati laborum nobis.
- followers : 3794
- following : 1958
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/brandy3068
- username : brandy3068
- bio : Commodi eum dolorem quasi quis. Est nobis excepturi atque eos velit. Voluptatem rem eveniet et. Esse veniam ipsa soluta praesentium.
- followers : 3149
- following : 2790
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/bkreiger
- username : bkreiger
- bio : Id saepe ut et enim.
- followers : 3107
- following : 2692
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/bkreiger
- username : bkreiger
- bio : Numquam ut animi ea sunt quo et. Magni ratione porro eum.
- followers : 4094
- following : 2354
