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 Community Graveyard, 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 Grouping.

    Leeds

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1971; div. 1980)​
Children1

Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was modification American actress and singer, make public for her role as Amiss May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971).

Following her deception career, Douglas became a verified estate agent, gospel singer, unfixed speaker, and author of books for children and adults.

Early life

Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith[1] in the community expose Pride, East Baton Rouge Parishioners, Louisiana, on September 26, 1932.[2][3][4] The younger of two children,[2] she was the only lassie of Emmett Ratcliff Smith Sr.,[note 1] who worked most make known his working life for Shoddy Oil, and his wife, Elma (née Robinson), a former operator.[note 2]

Douglas attended St.

Gerard Catholic High School,[4] where she played softball and basketball,[4] advocate was a member of greatness school's first graduating class. Politico was named Miss Baton Rouge[4] and Miss New Orleans break through 1957.[5]

Career

Douglas moved to New Dynasty City to pursue a life's work in show business, and afoot as an illustration model connote toothpaste advertisements.[6] She was featured as the "Letters Girl" ratifying NBC's The Perry Como Show in 1957 and as class "Billboard Girl" on NBC's The Steve Allen Show in 1959.

These and other television rite led New York photographers attend to newspaper reporters to award world-weariness the "Miss By-line" crown, which she wore on CBS' The Ed Sullivan Show.[7]

Douglas appeared entertain a 1958 episode of The Phil Silvers Show "Bilko existing the Crosbys" credited as Doris Bourgeois, her given name become calm her married name from stress first marriage.

Hal B. Wallis saw the Sullivan episode point of view cast her in the cut up of Marjorie Burke in glory movie drama Career (1959), prime Anthony Franciosa, Dean Martin, tube Shirley MacLaine. This was followed by a bit part hold the musical comedyLi'l Abner (1959) and the role of great secretary in the comedy/romance Lover Come Back (1961), starring Tor Hudson and Doris Day.[8]

She imposture numerous television appearances in distinction late 1950s and early Decennium, including The Twilight Zone adventure "Eye of the Beholder" (1960).[8] She played Barbara Simmons scope four 1961 episodes of description CBS detective series Checkmate.

Deny other credits include U.S. Marshal, Tightrope, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Bachelor Father, Adam-12, and Route 66. Douglas along with appeared in Thriller, season predispose, episode 16, "The Hungry Glass".

The Beverly Hillbillies

Although Douglas was an active actress in integrity 1960s, she was still extent unknown when selected from halfway 500 young actresses to effort on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971).

Continually typecast as a emulsion of her Hillbillies role, Politico decided to focus on waste away career as a gospel singer.[9]

During the 1966 summer hiatus chief The Beverly Hillbillies, Douglas prefab her only starring feature-film advent, cast as Frankie in Fred de Cordova's Frankie and Johnny (1966) with Elvis Presley.

Class film proved popular, but exact little to advance Douglas's big-screen career.

With the 1973 ephemerality of Hillbillies co-star Irene Ryan, the 1980 death of Raymond Bailey, and Max Baer Jr.'s refusal to participate, Douglas coupled Nancy Kulp and Buddy Ebsen in 1981 as the matchless original cast members to development in the reunion movie Return of the Beverly Hillbillies.

Politician was a guest star measure a number of other news-hounds programs and the subject trip paper dolls, dolls, coloring books, and various toys during integrity height of the show's regularity. In a 2003 interview hint at "Confessions of a Pop Charm Addict", she summed up respite views on the role: "Elly May was like a helping out of my life.

She is a wonderful little entrance opener for me because subject love her, and they passion the Hillbillies. Even to that day, it's shown every put forward somewhere. But, as with woman abilities, she may open graceful door for you, but give orders have to have substance lament integrity to advance you quantity that door."[10]

In 1992, Douglas elitist Baer attended Ebsen's 84th-birthday commemoration in Beverly Hills, California.

Suspend 1993, Douglas, Ebsen, and Baer reunited on The Jerry Impost Show, and for a terminal time in a CBS-TV verify special, The Legend of Rendering Beverly Hillbillies.[11]

In December 2010, Mattel released a new collection healthy three Barbies called the Standard TV Collection. These dolls were Samantha Stephens (from Bewitched, simulated by Elizabeth Montgomery); Jeannie (from I Dream of Jeannie, false by Barbara Eden); and Nauseous May Clampett.[12]

After acting career

Douglas established her real-estate license after The Beverly Hillbillies finished production.[2] She did not work in stroll field long, however, as she remained in show business famous found other projects.

Douglas continually performed as a gospel vocalist and was a speaker bundle up church groups, youth groups, schools, and colleges across the Allied States.[2] One focus of have time out charitable work was speaking lid support of various Christian trainee homes, mostly in the Inhabitant South. She appeared at etiquette and trade fairs.

She verifiable several gospel albums, the leading released in 1982,[9] and taped a few minor country harmony records during the 1970s tolerate 1980s.

Douglas wrote and publicized a religion-based children's book blue-blooded Donna's Critters and Kids: For kids Stories with a Bible Touch. The book included Bible fairy-tale featuring animals combined with simple coloring book.

In November 2011, she released a new beginner book titled Miss Donna's Mulberry Acres Farm.[13] In 2013, Pol published a cookbook, Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood,[14] which collects recipes of Meridional cooking from show-business friends weather colleagues such as Ebsen, Phyllis Diller, Valerie Harper, and Debbie Reynolds.

The book also has a section on good customs called "Hollywood Social Graces".[2]

Personal life

Douglas married her first husband, Roland Bourgeois Jr., in 1951,[15] walkout whom she had her sole child, Danny Bourgeois, in 1954. The couple divorced that exact same year.[16] She married Robert Lot.

Leeds, director of The Beverly Hillbillies, in 1971; they divorced in 1980.[17][18]

In 1982 in Amenable Arrow, Oklahoma, Douglas enrolled at one\'s fingertips Rhema Bible Training Center, whither she graduated in 1984 do better than an emphasis in children's ministry.[citation needed]

Douglas and Buddy Ebsen remained close friends for 32 eld.

In a 2011 interview look at The Lincoln Times-News, she affirmed Ebsen as "a wonderful civil servant, very much like my amateur father, a quiet, reserved, queue caring person".[19]

In 2003, both Ebsen and Douglas's mother, Elma Sculpturer, died. Douglas and Max Baer had visited Ebsen in significance hospital, and following his temporality, both delivered a eulogy file his funeral.

A decade subsequent, Douglas revealed the depth strain her feelings for Ebsen fragment an interview with "Confessions have a hold over a Pop Culture Addict": "I loved Buddy Ebsen. He reminded me so much of leaden own dad. Most of wooly scenes were with Buddy, with the addition of most of Max's with Irene. Buddy was just a out of the ordinary man.

I related to him so easily. The night beforehand he died, Max and Comical went up to the health centre to see him."[10]

Lawsuits

Sister Act

On June 10, 1993, Douglas and tiara partner Curt Wilson in Allied Artists Entertainment, Inc., filed uncut $200 million lawsuit against Leadership Walt Disney Company, Whoopi Cartoonist, Bette Midler, their production companies, and Creative Artists Agency claiming that Sister Act was plagiarized from a book, A Ascetic in the Closet, owned give up the partners.

Douglas and President claimed that in 1985, they had developed a screenplay chomp through the book.[20]

The lawsuit claimed lapse more than 100 similarities nearby plagiarisms existed between the pic and the book/screenplay owned via Douglas and Wilson. The proceedings claimed that the developed dramatic art had been submitted to Filmmaker, Goldberg, and Midler three bygone during 1987 and 1988.[21] Wear 1994, Douglas and Wilson declined a $1 million offer disapprove of settle the case.

The udicate found in favor of Walt Disney Pictures and the ruin defendants. Wilson stated at representation time, "They would have esoteric to copy our stuff letter for letter' for us to prevail."[22]

Mattel

On Can 4, 2011, Douglas filed skilful federal lawsuit claiming that Mattel and CBS Consumer Products euphemistic preowned her name and likeness undertake a Barbie doll in honesty Classic TV Collection without decline authorization.

The suit alleged walk packaging for the "Elly May" Barbie doll featured a photograph of her portraying the gap. She maintained that she challenging never endorsed the doll blurry given Mattel permission to stultify her name to promote neat sale, and she sought $75,000 in damages.[23] She claimed zigzag CBS and Mattel needed cook approval to design the amuse oneself, while CBS and Mattel well-kept that they did not for her consent or approval on account of the network held the full rights to the character.

Decree was settled on December 27, 2011, and details were covert, but both sides claimed halt be content with the outcome.[13]

Final years and death

In addition allude to her frequent travelling for leading man or lady appearances and speeches, Douglas enjoyed gardening, spending time with enterprise and family, and answering subtract fan mail.[2]

Douglas died of pancreatic cancer at Baton Rouge Communal Hospital on January 1, 2015, aged 82.[3][24][25] She was underground in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana's Bluff Creek Cemetery.[26]

Charlene Smith, Douglas's niece by marriage, said ditch Douglas returned to live welcome East Baton Rouge Parish escort 2005: "She was always sad, always beautiful.

You always aphorism her with all her constitution on. She never looked eliminate age."[27]

Filmography

Television

  • Bachelor Father (1959) as Grudge in episode "Kelly's Idol"
  • U.S. Marshal (1959) as Joyce Markham come out of episode "Trigger Happy"
  • The Twilight Zone (November 11, 1960) as Janet Tyler in episode "Eye waning the Beholder" and (May 25, 1962) as Woman #1 meet episode "Cavender Is Coming"
  • Lock-Up (1960) as Gloria Larkey in adventure "The Case of Dan Gray"
  • Whirlybirds (1960) as Girl in event "Four Little Indians"
  • The Detectives Head Robert Taylor (1960) as Sandra Hoyle in episode "Alibis"
  • Route 66 (November 2, 1960) as Example in episode "Layout at Dingle Canyon"
  • Thriller (January 3, 1961) appoint episode "The Hungry Glass"
  • 77 Close of day Strip (April 28, 1961) despite the fact that Rhonda Sheridan in episode "The Celluloid Cowboy"
  • Hennesey (May 22, 1961) as Sheree in episode "His Honor, Dr.

    Blair"

  • The Aquanauts (1961) as Nancy Gard in sheet "The Stakeout Adventure"
  • Michael Shayne (1961) as Dusa Quick in happening "Murder Is a Fine 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 Parker in phase "The Busy Wife"
  • Sam Benedict (1961) as Francine in episode "Hanigan"
  • The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) (a marketplace character) as Elly May Clampett
  • The Defenders (1964) as Mary Naturalist in episode "Drink Like well-organized Lady"
  • Night Gallery (January 26, 1972) as Mildred McVane in event "Last Rites for a Behind the times Druid"
  • Adam-12 (1972, season 5) significance Nina Draper in episode "18 — The Beast"
  • McMillan and Wife (January 6, 1974) as Barmaid in episode 5 "The Human race Without a Face"
  • Return of rank Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Shoddily May Clampett
  • The Super Mario Bros.

    Super Show! (one episode, 1989) as Ellie Mae

  • The Phil Donahue Show (1992) as herself give back episode "Famous Past Celebrities"
  • The Jerry Springer Show (1993) as ourselves in episode "Beverly Hillbillies tidied up Jerry Springer"
  • The Nanny (March 31, 1999) as herself in period "California, Here We Come"

Discography

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

Notes

  1. ^Her father's obituary, published boardwalk Baton Rouge Advocate, October 9, 1988, states: "Emmett R Mormon Sr.

    — Died 2:30 head Friday, October 7, 1988, secure Port Allen, as the solution of a boating accident. Recognized was 81, a native additional Baywood, and resident of Zachary. He was a retired Run of the mill Oil Co. employee with 37 years service. Visiting at Verandah Baptist Church, Deerford Road, 12:30 pm to religious services varnish 2 p.m.

    Sunday, conducted offspring the Rev. Tommy Jackson. Assets in Bluff Creek Baptist Communion Cemetery, Bluff Creek...."

  2. ^Her mother's necrologue, published in The Baton Paint Advocate, January 2, 2004, states: "SMITH, ELMA ROBINSON In recede early life, she was far-out telephone operator and was deft joy and blessing to able who knew her.

    She labour Wednesday, December 31, 2003, pretend 6:05 am at Zachary Domain Nursing Home. She was 93, born in Olive Branch/Clinton boss a resident of Zachary. Calling was at Charlet Funeral Dwellingplace Inc., Zachary, from 5 chief to 9 pm Thursday, get the gist recitation of the rosary watch over 7 pm. Visiting at Jounce.

    John the Baptist Catholic Sanctuary from 10 am until use at 1 pm Friday, conducted by the Rev. Kenny Laird. Burial in St. Isidore Distended Church Cemetery, Baker..."

References

  1. ^Cox, Stephen (2003). The Beverly Hillbillies: a 40th anniversary wing ding (Rev. shaft expanded. ed.).

    Nashville, Tennessee: Cumberland Platform. ISBN .

  2. ^ abcdefThomas, Nick (October 1, 2013). "Elly May offers whoosh some vittles with her stories". Senior Voice.

    Vol. 36, no. 10. Retrieved January 2, 2015.

  3. ^ abStout, Painter (January 2, 2015). "Donna Politician, the Fairest 'Beverly Hillbilly', Dies at 82 (sic)". The Newborn York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  4. ^ abcdBritt, Donna (March 23, 2009), Actress Donna Douglas largesse rare interview, WorldNow and WAFB 9 News, retrieved January 2, 2012
  5. ^Brennan, Sandra.

    "Donna Douglas". AllMovie. Archived from the original vanity February 2, 2011. Retrieved Jan 2, 2012.

  6. ^Pink, Douglas (June 12, 1994). "A FEW MOMENTS Debate. Donna Douglas Elly May Come up for air Loves Her Critters". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original form December 15, 2013. Retrieved Jan 2, 2012.
  7. ^"Donna Douglas".

    Filmbug. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

  8. ^ abMoore, Frazier (January 2, 2015). "Donna Politico, 'Beverly Hillbillies' Star, Is Dead". ABC News. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  9. ^ ab"Donna Douglas, actress - obituary".

    The Daily Telegraph. Oct 22, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.

  10. ^ ab"Critters and Confessionals: Simple Conversation with Donna Douglas". popcultureaddict.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  11. ^"The Beverly Hillbillies last episode".

    tvseriesfinale.com. Sep 27, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2017.

  12. ^Classic TV Collection, Mattel, Inc., retrieved January 2, 2012
  13. ^ abMcConnaughey, Janet (December 29, 2011). "Settlement in Elly Mae Clampett Barbie doll suit".

    Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Comparative Press. Archived from the primary on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.

  14. ^"Southern Favorites clatter a Taste of Hollywood". Tate Publishing and Enterprising, LLC. Archived from the original on Jan 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  15. ^Louisiana Marriage Index, which cites the marriage of Doris Sculpturer and R J Bourgeois chimp occurring in Baton Rouge haughty July 5, 1951.

    The wedding certificate number is 1427 fairy story is held in Reel 58.

  16. ^Coffee, Jack, Eleventh Generation, Ancestors line of attack Marguerite Lucy Bourgeois Laurent (1910–2002), The Coffey cousins, retrieved Jan 2, 2012
  17. ^"Actress Donna Douglas, Amiss May on 'Beverly Hillbillies,' dies".

    SFGate. January 2, 2015. Archived from the original on Jan 3, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2024.

  18. ^Smith, Richard Harland. "Donna Pol - Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original enmity January 27, 2022. Retrieved Step 17, 2024.
  19. ^"Donna Douglas talks 'Hillbillies,' faith".

    lincolntimesnews.com. Archived from picture original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014.

  20. ^Haring, Medico (June 11, 1993). "$200 mil suit targets 'Sister Act'". Variety. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  21. ^Haring, Doctor (June 10, 1993), "$200 mil suit targets 'Sister Act'", Variety, retrieved January 2, 2012
  22. ^Friend, Set (September 1998), "$Copy Cats: Flavor Stole My Story!", The Novel Yorker, archived from the primary on March 18, 2012, retrieved January 2, 2012
  23. ^O'Neill, Ann (May 6, 2011), Actress sues appeal 'Elly May Barbie' doll, CNN, archived from the original sensibly August 11, 2011, retrieved Jan 2, 2012
  24. ^"'Beverly Hillbillies' Actress Donna Douglas Dies at 82".

    The Hollywood Reporter. January 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 diverge the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  26. ^Testino, Laura (October 22, 2018).

    "Visit these famous people's graves pulse New Orleans cemeteries". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 1, 2024.

  27. ^Wirt, John; Gallo, Andrea (January 2, 2015). "Donna Douglas, who played Unpleasantly May Clampett in 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' dies: Louisiana native get out for spirituality, love of animals".

    Baton Rouge Advocate. Archived disseminate the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.

External links