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The Last Clampett Standing: Where Are The Beverly Hillbillies Cast Now? (2025 Update)

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The Beverly Hillbillies remains one of the most culturally significant and highest-rated television sitcoms in history, a timeless fish-out-of-water tale that captivated millions from 1962 to 1971. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the show’s enduring legacy continues to be celebrated, but the status of its beloved main cast has changed dramatically over the decades, leaving only one primary actor to carry the torch for the Clampett clan. This deep dive explores the lives, careers, and ultimate fates of the stars who brought Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro to life.

The sitcom, which followed the impoverished but newly-rich Clampett family moving from the Ozarks to Beverly Hills after striking "black gold," launched the careers of its stars into the stratosphere, but their lives after the show took vastly different, and in some cases, surprising turns. For fans of the classic CBS comedy, the current status of the cast is a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the incredible impact these performers had on television history.

The Complete Cast of The Beverly Hillbillies: Biography and Legacy

The core of the show was the four members of the Clampett family and their two primary associates, all of whom became household names. Their biographies reveal careers that spanned vaudeville, Broadway, major film roles, and, eventually, a massive second act in television.

  • Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett)
    • Role: Jed Clampett, the kind-hearted, level-headed patriarch who struck oil and moved his family to Beverly Hills.
    • Born: April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.
    • Died: July 6, 2003, at age 95, from respiratory failure.
    • Legacy: Ebsen had a long and varied career, starting as a dancer who was almost cast as the Tin Man in *The Wizard of Oz* before a severe reaction to the aluminum dust forced him to quit. After *The Beverly Hillbillies* ended, he successfully transitioned to another hit series, playing the title role in the detective show *Barnaby Jones* (1973–1980), cementing his status as a TV legend. In his later years, he became a novelist and a painter, often featuring landscapes with Jed Clampett in the foreground.
  • Irene Ryan (Daisy May "Granny" Moses)
    • Role: Granny, Jed's feisty, shotgun-toting mother-in-law, a self-proclaimed "mountain doctor."
    • Born: October 17, 1902, in El Paso, Texas.
    • Died: April 26, 1973, at age 70, from a stroke and a brain tumor.
    • Legacy: Ryan was a veteran of vaudeville, radio, and Broadway before finding late-life fame as Granny. She was nominated for two Emmy Awards for the role. Shortly after the show ended, she found success on Broadway in the musical *Pippin*, earning a Tony Award nomination. Her most enduring legacy is the Irene Ryan Foundation, which she established to award scholarships to outstanding theater students across the United States, a charity that continues its work today.
  • Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett)
    • Role: Elly May Clampett, the beautiful, buxom, yet innocent daughter who loved her "critters" and was more comfortable outdoors than in a mansion.
    • Born: September 26, 1933, in Pride, Louisiana.
    • Died: January 1, 2015, at age 81, from pancreatic cancer.
    • Legacy: Douglas was a former Miss New Orleans and model who brought a unique blend of innocence and physical comedy to the role. After *The Beverly Hillbillies*, she focused on her gospel singing career and became a successful real estate agent. She remained dedicated to her Christian faith and often appeared at conventions, cherishing her role as Elly May.
  • Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine / Jethrine Bodine)
    • Role: Jethro Bodine, Jed's dim-witted but good-natured nephew with a "sixth-grade education," and occasionally his twin sister, Jethrine.
    • Born: December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California.
    • Current Status: The only surviving main cast member.
    • Legacy: Baer Jr. is a director, producer, and highly successful businessman. After the show, he famously directed and produced the highly successful 1970s film *Ode to Billy Joe*. He later transitioned into a career in business, focusing on licensing the *Beverly Hillbillies* brand. He is known for his decades-long effort to open a chain of casinos and resorts themed around the show, particularly in Nevada, though his plans have faced numerous hurdles over the years.
  • Nancy Kulp (Miss Jane Hathaway)
    • Role: Miss Jane Hathaway, the prim, intellectual, and often exasperated bank secretary and Mr. Drysdale's assistant, who was secretly infatuated with Jethro.
    • Born: August 28, 1921, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
    • Died: February 3, 1991, at age 69, from cancer.
    • Legacy: Kulp was a respected character actress who, after the show, taught drama at a university and even ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania in 1984, though she was unsuccessful. Her portrayal of Miss Jane remains an iconic example of the "straight woman" in classic sitcoms.
  • Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale)
    • Role: Milburn Drysdale, the greedy, high-strung, and perpetually nervous president of the Commerce Bank, obsessed with keeping the Clampetts' massive fortune in his bank.
    • Born: May 6, 1904, in San Francisco, California.
    • Died: April 15, 1980, at age 75, from a heart attack.
    • Legacy: Bailey was a prolific actor with hundreds of credits in film and television before his defining role as Mr. Drysdale. His character's frantic attempts to manage the Clampetts' eccentricities provided much of the show's humor.

Max Baer Jr.: The Last Clampett and a Business Mogul

The most current news about the main cast focuses solely on Max Baer Jr., the only surviving member of the core four. His life after playing the lovable lunk Jethro Bodine is a fascinating study in leveraging a single, iconic role into a multi-million dollar business empire. Baer Jr. famously fought against the typecasting that plagued many of his co-stars, choosing to step behind the camera rather than remain in front of it.

In the early 1970s, he proved his chops as a serious filmmaker by directing and producing the surprise hit drama *Ode to Billy Joe* (1976), based on the popular Bobbie Gentry song. This success gave him the capital and credibility to pursue his true passion: becoming a licensing and merchandising powerhouse. His business ventures have been almost entirely dedicated to capitalizing on the enduring popularity of his character and the show itself. This includes licensing the Jethro Bodine name for various products and, most notably, his long-running effort to establish a chain of *Beverly Hillbillies*-themed casinos and resorts, particularly in the Reno and Carson City areas of Nevada.

While the casino plans have seen numerous setbacks and changes over the decades, his persistence and business acumen are a testament to his post-Hollywood ambition. Recent reports, such as those from May 2024, have highlighted the sale and status of his former properties in Las Vegas, keeping his name in the news and underscoring his continued relevance as a television icon and entrepreneur. Max Baer Jr.'s journey from sitcom star to director to licensing mogul is a unique and highly successful second act in show business history.

The Enduring Legacy of the Clampett Family

Despite the passing of most of its stars, the impact of *The Beverly Hillbillies* remains immense. The show ran for nine seasons and 274 episodes, and its finale was one of the last casualties of the infamous "rural purge" at CBS, where network executives canceled popular country-themed shows in favor of more urban, contemporary programming.

The show's legacy is defined by several key elements:

  • Record-Breaking Ratings: It remains one of the few shows in TV history to hold the #1 spot in the Nielsen ratings for its first two seasons, a truly monumental achievement that speaks to its immediate and widespread appeal.
  • Topical Comedy: The humor was a brilliant, gentle satire on the clash between high-society snobbery (represented by the Drysdales) and good-natured, unpretentious rural values (the Clampetts). This "culture clash" remains a timeless comedic trope.
  • Buddy Ebsen's Second Act: Buddy Ebsen's transition from Jed Clampett to the lead in *Barnaby Jones* is a rare feat in television, demonstrating his versatility and appeal to a mass audience. He holds the distinction of having starred in two long-running, hit series.
  • Irene Ryan's Philanthropy: The Irene Ryan Foundation ensures that "Granny's" legacy extends far beyond comedy, providing crucial support for aspiring young actors and actresses in perpetuity.
  • Pop Culture Iconography: Elly May's "critters," Granny's "rheumatiz," Jethro's "double-naught spy" ambition, and Jed's calm demeanor are all instantly recognizable pop culture touchstones.

Today, the show is a staple in syndication and streaming, continually introducing the Clampetts to new generations. The story of a simple family who found extraordinary wealth and struggled to navigate a new world is a classic American tale. As Max Baer Jr. continues his ventures, he serves as the living link to a golden age of television, ensuring the Clampett name—and the memory of his co-stars—remains fresh in the public consciousness.

cast of beverly hillbillies
cast of beverly hillbillies

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