Donna Douglas

by Sandra Brennan film biography
Though she appeared in feature films before and after the much-loved '60s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, American actress Donna Douglas will always be remembered as the buxom, blue-eyed tomboy Elly May Clampett. She was born Doris Smith in Baywood, LA, and grew up to be very much like Elly May in that she always had a special affinity for animals and nature. As a teen, Douglas was a cheerleader and won some beauty contests, notably the title of Miss New Orleans 1957. From there Douglas appeared as the Letters Girl on The Perry Como Show and later appeared on The Steve Allen Show as a Billboard Girl. She made her feature-film debut in Career Girl (1959) and followed it up with a co-starring role in the Rock Hudson/Doris Day screwball comedy Lover Come Back (1960). She was cast as Elly May in 1962 and remained with the series through its demise in 1971. Later, she returned for a Beverly Hillbillies made-for-TV reunion movie in 1981. In 1965, Douglas starred opposite Elvis Presley in Fred de Cordova's Frankie and Johnnie. It would be her last film that had nothing to do with Hillbillies. Whereas some actors deeply resent being so closely associated with a single role, Donna Douglas has embraced Elly Mae and still occasionally makes public appearances in costume. A devoted Christian, Douglas is also a noted gospel singer.
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filmography snapshot

1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
Year Title Rating    
1959 Career

Actor

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1960 The Twilight Zone: The Eye of the Beholder

Actor

1961 Lover Come Back

Actor

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1962 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 01

Actor

1962 The Twilight Zone: Cavender Is Coming

Actor

1963 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 02

Actor

1964 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 03

Actor

1965 Frankie and Johnny

Actor

1965 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 04

Actor

1966 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 05

Actor

1967 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 06

Actor

1968 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 07

Actor

1969 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 08

Actor

1970 The Beverly Hillbillies: Season 09

Actor

1973 Adam-12: The Beast

Actor

1981 Return of the Beverly Hillbillies

Actor

1993 The Beverly Hillbillies Go Hollywood

Actor

1993 The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies

Participant

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