Donna Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donna Douglas
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Douglas in 1967
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Doris Ione Smith
September 26, 1932 Pride, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Died | January 1, 2015 (aged 82) Zachary, Louisiana, U.S.
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| Resting place | Bluff Creek Community Cemetery Bluff Creek, Louisiana |
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| Years active | 1956–2008 |
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| Children | 1 |
Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing Elly May Clampett on the popular TV show The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971. After her acting career, Donna also became a gospel singer, writer, and speaker. She wrote books for both children and adults.
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Early Life
Donna Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith in Pride, Louisiana, on September 26, 1932. She was the younger of two children and the only daughter. Her father, Emmett Ratcliff Smith Sr., worked for Standard Oil. Her mother was Elma (née Robinson).
Donna went to St. Gerard Catholic High School. She was good at sports, playing softball and basketball. She was part of the first class to graduate from that school. In 1957, she was named Miss Baton Rouge and Miss New Orleans.
Becoming an Actress
Donna Douglas moved to New York City to start a career in entertainment. She began by modeling for toothpaste ads. In 1957, she appeared on The Perry Como Show as the "Letters Girl." In 1959, she was the "Billboard Girl" on The Steve Allen Show. Because of these TV appearances, photographers and reporters gave her the "Miss By-line" crown. She even wore it on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Early TV Roles
Donna also appeared in a 1958 episode of The Phil Silvers Show. She was listed as Doris Bourgeois, using her first married name. A movie producer named Hal B. Wallis saw her on The Ed Sullivan Show. He then cast her in the movie Career (1959). She also had small roles in the musical comedy Li'l Abner (1959) and the comedy Lover Come Back (1961).
She made many TV appearances in the late 1950s and early 1960s. One famous role was in The Twilight Zone episode "Eye of the Beholder" in 1960. She also appeared in shows like Checkmate, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and Route 66.
Playing Elly May Clampett
Donna Douglas was not very well known before she was chosen for The Beverly Hillbillies. She was picked from about 500 other young actresses. The show ran from 1962 to 1971. After playing Elly May, Donna was often seen only for that role. Because of this, she decided to focus on her career as a gospel singer.
During a break from The Beverly Hillbillies in 1966, Donna starred in her only main movie role. She played Frankie in Frankie and Johnny with Elvis Presley. The movie was popular, but it did not lead to more big movie roles for Donna.
After some of her Hillbillies co-stars passed away, Donna joined Nancy Kulp and Buddy Ebsen for a reunion movie in 1981. It was called Return of the Beverly Hillbillies. Donna was also featured on paper dolls, coloring books, and toys because of the show's popularity. In 2003, she said about her role: "Elly May was like a slice out of my life. She is a wonderful little door opener for me because people love her."
In 1992, Donna and Max Baer Jr. celebrated Buddy Ebsen's 84th birthday. In 1993, Donna, Buddy, and Max reunited on The Jerry Springer Show. They also appeared together one last time for a TV special called The Legend of The Beverly Hillbillies.
In 2010, Mattel released a new collection of Barbie dolls. It included Elly May Clampett, along with characters from Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.
Life After Elly May
After The Beverly Hillbillies ended, Donna got a license to sell real estate. However, she did not work in that field for long. She stayed in entertainment and found other projects.
Life Beyond Acting
Donna Douglas often performed as a gospel singer. She also gave speeches to church groups, youth groups, schools, and colleges across the United States. She often spoke to support Christian children's homes, especially in the Southern U.S. She also attended fan events and trade shows.
Singing and Writing
She recorded several gospel albums, with the first one released in 1982. She also recorded a few country music songs in the 1970s and 1980s.
Donna wrote and published a children's book based on religion. It was called Donna's Critters and Kids: Children's Stories with a Bible Touch. The book included Bible stories with animals and also had pages to color. In 2011, she released another children's book called Miss Donna's Mulberry Acres Farm. In 2013, Donna published a cookbook, Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood. This book had recipes from her show business friends like Buddy Ebsen and Debbie Reynolds. It also had a section on good manners.
Personal Life
Donna Douglas married her first husband, Roland Bourgeois Jr., in 1951. They had one child, Danny Bourgeois, in 1954. They divorced that same year. In 1971, she married Robert M. Leeds, who was a director for The Beverly Hillbillies. They divorced in 1980.
In 1982, Donna went to Rhema Bible Training Center in Oklahoma. She graduated in 1984, focusing on ministry for children.
Donna remained very close friends with Buddy Ebsen for 32 years. In 2011, she said he was "a wonderful man, very much like my own father." In 2003, both Donna's mother and Buddy Ebsen passed away. Donna and Max Baer Jr. visited Buddy in the hospital. They both spoke at his funeral.
Legal Matters
In 1993, Donna Douglas and her partner filed a lawsuit. They believed the movie Sister Act copied an idea from a book they owned. The lawsuit claimed there were many similarities between the movie and their story. In 1994, they turned down a settlement offer. The judge decided in favor of the movie studio.
In 2011, Donna filed another lawsuit against Mattel and CBS. She claimed they used her name and image for an "Elly May" Barbie doll without her permission. The doll's packaging showed a photo of her as the character. She said she never approved the doll. The case was settled in December 2011, and both sides were happy with the result.
Later Years and Passing
Besides traveling for appearances and speeches, Donna Douglas loved gardening. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She always made sure to answer her fan mail.
Donna Douglas passed away on January 1, 2015, at the age of 82. She died from pancreatic cancer. She was buried in Bluff Creek Cemetery in Louisiana. Her niece, Charlene Smith, said Donna was "always happy, always beautiful." She also mentioned that Donna often added Bible verses to her gifts.
Movies Donna Douglas Was In
- Career (1959) as Marjorie Burke
- Li'l Abner (1959) as Chorus Dancer (uncredited)
- Bells Are Ringing (1960) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- Strangers When We Meet (1960) as Neighbor (uncredited)
- Lover Come Back (1961) as Deborah
- Frankie and Johnny (1966) as Frankie
- Chronicles of Life Trials (2013) as Marjorie (her last film role)
TV Shows Donna Douglas Appeared In
- Bachelor Father (1959) as Alice
- U.S. Marshal (1959) as Joyce Markham
- The Twilight Zone (1960 and 1962) as Janet Tyler and Woman #1
- Lock-Up (1960) as Gloria Larkey
- Whirlybirds (1960) as Girl
- The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor (1960) as Sandra Hoyle
- Route 66 (1960) as Model
- Thriller (1961)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1961) as Rhoda Sheridan
- Hennesey (1961) as Sheree
- The Aquanauts (1961) as Nancy Gard
- Michael Shayne (1961) as Dusa Quick
- Surfside 6 (two episodes, 1961)
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Jenny
- Pete and Gladys (two episodes, 1961)
- Mister Ed (three episodes, 1961–1962) as Jane Parker
- Sam Benedict (1961) as Francine
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) as Elly May Clampett (a main character)
- The Defenders (1964) as Mary Andrews
- Night Gallery (1972) as Mildred McVane
- Adam-12 (1972) as Nina Draper
- McMillan and Wife (1974) as Barmaid
- Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Elly May Clampett
- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) as Ellie Mae
- The Jerry Springer Show (1993)
- The Nanny (1999) as herself
Music Albums
- The Beverly Hillbillies (television soundtrack) (1963)
- Donna Douglas Sings Gospel (1982)
- Here Come the Critters (1983)
- Donna Douglas Sings Gospel II (1986)
- Back on the Mountain (1989)
See also
In Spanish: Donna Douglas para niños
