Buddy Ebsen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buddy Ebsen
Ebsen as Barnaby Jones, with Lee Meriwether (1973)
Born	Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr. (1908-04-02)April 2, 1908 Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Died	July 6, 2003(2003-07-06) (aged 95) Torrance, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Rollins College, University of Florida
Occupation	Actor, dancer, comedian
Years active	1928–1999
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ruth Cambridge ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1942)​ Nancy Wolcott ​ ​ (m. 1945; div. 1985)​ Dorothy Knott ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	7, including Kiki Ebsen
Relatives	Vilma Ebsen (sister)

Buddy Ebsen (born Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., April 2, 1908 – July 6, 2003) was a famous American actor and dancer. His career lasted for an amazing seven decades! He is best known for playing Jed Clampett in the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Later, he starred as the main character in the detective show Barnaby Jones (1973–1980).

Buddy Ebsen started as a dancer. He appeared in films like Broadway Melody of 1936. He also danced with child star Shirley Temple in Captain January (1936). He was supposed to be the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939). However, he got very sick from the makeup and had to leave the movie. He also acted with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). Before The Beverly Hillbillies, he was popular on TV. He played George Russell, Davy Crockett's friend, in the Davy Crockett miniseries (1953–54).

Buddy Ebsen's Early Life

Buddy Ebsen was born Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr. on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois. He was one of five children. His father, Christian Ludolf Ebsen Sr., was a choreographer and fitness fan. He owned a dance studio and a swimming pool. Buddy's mother, Frances, was a painter from Latvia.

The Ebsen family moved to Palm Beach County, Florida, when Buddy was ten. In 1920, they moved to Orlando, Florida. Buddy and his sisters learned to dance at their father's studio.

During high school, Buddy joined the Order of DeMolay. This group later honored him for his achievements. He graduated from Orlando High School in 1926. Buddy first wanted to be a doctor. He went to the University of Florida and then Rollins College. But his family had money problems, so he had to leave college at age 20.

Starting His Career

In 1928, Buddy Ebsen moved to New York City to become a dancer. He arrived with only $26.75! He and his sister Vilma Ebsen performed together. They were known as "The Baby Astaires." They danced in clubs and on vaudeville stages. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts.

On Broadway, the Ebsens performed in musicals like Whoopee and Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. A famous writer, Walter Winchell, praised their dancing. This led them to perform at the Palace Theatre in New York City. This was a very important place for vaudeville performers.

Becoming a Movie Star

Ebsen appeared in many films, both musicals and non-musicals. These included Born to Dance (1936) and Broadway Melody of 1938. In Captain January (1936), he danced with Shirley Temple. He also danced with actresses like Eleanor Powell.

Buddy Ebsen was known for his unique dancing style. Filmmaker Walt Disney even filmed Ebsen dancing. This helped Disney animators create Mickey Mouse's dance moves in early cartoons.

The Wizard of Oz Role

Ebsen as the Tin Man before being replaced by Jack Haley

Buddy Ebsen was first chosen to play the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939). But then he switched roles with Ray Bolger, who wanted to be the Scarecrow. So, Ebsen became the Tin Man. He recorded all his songs and started filming.

However, Ebsen soon became very ill. He had body aches, muscle cramps, and trouble breathing. Doctors found he was allergic to the aluminum dust in the Tin Man's makeup. He had to leave the movie and was replaced by Jack Haley. Ebsen's voice can still be heard in some parts of the movie's soundtrack. For the rest of his life, Ebsen said the movie caused him breathing problems.

Serving in World War II

After getting better, Ebsen had problems with his movie contract. He decided to learn how to sail. He became so good that he taught sailing to naval officers. He tried to join the Navy, but they turned him down.

Finally, the United States Coast Guard accepted him. He became a lieutenant. Ebsen served on a Coast Guard ship that recorded weather far out at sea. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in 1946.

Returning to Acting

L-R: Christine Moore, Dane Clark, Buddy Ebsen and Jane Burgess in "The Prime Mover", a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone

Ebsen started acting on television in 1949. He appeared in many TV shows. One of his most famous early TV roles was Georgie Russel. He played this character, a friend of Davy Crockett, in the Disneyland miniseries Davy Crockett (1954–1955).

From 1958 to 1959, Ebsen starred in the TV adventure series Northwest Passage. He played Sergeant Hunk Marriner. He also appeared in shows like Rawhide and Tales of Wells Fargo. In 1961, he played a homeless man named Mr. Dave Browne on The Andy Griffith Show. He also appeared in The Twilight Zone episode "The Prime Mover".

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)

Irene Ryan and Ebsen, 1970

Buddy Ebsen became very famous as Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies. Jed was a kind mountaineer who found oil and moved his family to Beverly Hills, California. The show was about their funny experiences as "fish out of water" in a new place.

Even though some critics didn't like it, The Beverly Hillbillies was hugely popular. It had up to 60 million viewers and was often the highest-rated show on TV. The show was so successful that it led to other similar shows like Green Acres. The Beverly Hillbillies was still popular when CBS canceled it in 1971. This was because TV networks started to prefer shows that appealed to city audiences.

Ebsen sometimes had disagreements with other cast members. For example, he had different political views from Nancy Kulp, who played Miss Jane Hathaway.

Barnaby Jones (1973–1980)

In 1973, Ebsen returned to TV in Barnaby Jones. This was his second long-running TV series. He played Barnaby Jones, a detective who came out of retirement to solve his son's death. The show lasted for 8 seasons and 178 episodes. Lee Meriwether played Barnaby's daughter-in-law, Betty Jones.

Lee Meriwether said that Ebsen was a great actor to work with. She said he always tried his best. She also mentioned that he loved playing a detective and enjoyed using the "CSI-type equipment" on the set.

Other TV Roles

Ebsen's last regular TV series was Matt Houston (1984–1985). He played Matt's uncle, Roy Houston. He also narrated the Disney Family Album documentary series in the 1980s. His final guest appearance on TV was in 1994 on Burke's Law. In 1999, he voiced a character in an episode of King of the Hill. This was his last TV appearance.

Later Years and Legacy

Even though he was mostly retired in his 80s, Buddy Ebsen made a small appearance in the 1993 movie version of The Beverly Hillbillies. He played Barnaby Jones in this cameo.

Buddy Ebsen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. In 1993, he was honored as a Disney Legends award winner.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Polynesian Concept, a catamaran designed and built by Buddy Ebsen

Buddy Ebsen was married three times. In 1936, he married Ruth Cambridge, and they had two daughters. They later divorced. In 1945, he married Nancy Wolcott. They had four daughters and one son, including Kiki Ebsen. This marriage lasted 39 years before they divorced. In 1985, he married his third wife, Dorothy "Dotti" Knott.

Ebsen had many hobbies. He was a folk artist and loved collecting coins. He even helped start the Beverly Hills Coin Club in 1987. His coin collection included rare and valuable coins.

As he got older, Ebsen stayed active. Two years before he passed away, his novel Kelly's Quest became a bestseller. He also wrote other books, including Polynesian Concept (about sailing) and The Other Side of Oz (his autobiography).

Death

Buddy Ebsen passed away from breathing problems on July 6, 2003. He was 95 years old. He died at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California. He is buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California.

Music Albums

• The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) - with Irene Ryan
• Buddy's Originals (2001)
• Buddy Ebsen Says Howdy (2003)

Film Appearances

Not including times he played himself.

Television Appearances

• Northwest Passage (1958–1959) as Sergeant Hunk Marriner in 26 episodes
• Bonanza (1959) as Sheriff Jesse Sanders in the episode "The Sisters"
• Maverick (1959) as Sheriff Scratch Mannon in the episode "The Cats of Paradise"
• Riverboat (1960), as Niles Cox in "The Water of Gorgeous Springs"
• The Twilight Zone (1961) as Jimbo Cobb in "The Prime Mover"
• The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1961) as Dr. Mark Carroll in "Little Big Mouth"
• The Andy Griffith Show (1961) as David Browne in "Opie's Hobo Friend"
• Gunsmoke (1961) as Print Quimby in the episode “All That”
• Rawhide (1962) as Doctor George Stimson in "The Pitchwagon"
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) as Jed Clampett in 274 episodes
• Gunsmoke (1971) as Drago in the episode "Drago"
• Bonanza (1972) as Cactus Murphy in "The Saddle Stiff"
• Alias Smith and Jones (1972) as Phil Archer in "High Lonesome Country"
• Barnaby Jones (1973–1980) as Barnaby Jones in 178 episodes
• Cannon (1975) as Barnaby Jones in "The Deadly Conspiracy: Part 1"
• Matt Houston (1984–1985) as Roy Houston in 22 episodes
• Burke's Law (1994) as Louie Pike in "Who Killed Nick Hazard?"
• King of the Hill (1999) as Chet Elderson (voice) in "A Firefighting We Will Go"

Books by Buddy Ebsen

• Polynesian Concept, with George A. Gunston (1972)
• The Other Side of Oz, with Stephen Cox (1994)
• Kelly's Quest (2000)
• Sizzling Cold Case, with Darlene Quinn

See also

In Spanish: Buddy Ebsen para niños