Buddy Ebsen
Biography
Christian Ludolf Buddy Ebsen Jr., also known in SAG-AFTRA records as Frank Buddy Ebsen, was an American actor and dancer whose career spanned seven decades. Born on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, he was known for 122 known credits in acting. Ebsen starred as Jed Clampett in the long-running CBS television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971 and played the title character in the television detective drama series Barnaby Jones on CBS from 1973 to 1980. He was also cast as the original Tin Man in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, but fell ill reacting to something. Ebsen passed away on July 6, 2003, at the age of 95.
Career overview
Christian Ludolf Buddy Ebsen Jr., also known in records as Frank Buddy Ebsen, was an American actor and dancer whose career spanned seven decades. Born on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, he became a performer known for numerous films and television series, accumulating 122 known acting credits on the Movie Database.
Among his most prominent work, Ebsen had starring roles as Jed Clampett in the long-running CBS television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, which aired from 1962 to 1971. He later took on the title character in the television detective drama Barnaby Jones, broadcasting on CBS from 1973 to 1980. His extensive career also included appearances in productions such as The Twilight Zone, Adventures in Paradise, and Playhouse 90. Additionally, he was cast as the original Tin Man in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, though he fell ill during the production due to a reaction.
Ebsen passed away on July 6, 2003, at the age of 95. His legacy endures through a remarkably long performance career that established him as a recognizable figure in classic American television and film history.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
135 titles- Pioneers of Primetime (2005)
- Judy Garland: By Myself (2004) as Self - Actor (voice)
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Jed Clampett (archive footage)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Chet Elderson (voice)
- Burke's Law (1994) as Louie Pike
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Barnaby Jones
- Audrey Hepburn: Remembered (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies (1993)
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic (1990) as Self (archive footage)
- Working Tra$h (1990) as Vandevere Lodge
- CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) as Buddy Tucker
- James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- Stone Fox (1987) as Grandpa
- That's Dancing! (1985) as From 'Born to Dance' (archive footage)
- Finder of Lost Loves (1984) as Walter Lewis
- Disney Family Album (1984) as Narrator
- Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)
- The Yellow Rose (1983) as Toat Gilmore
- Matt Houston (1982) as Roy Houston
- Fire on the Mountain (1981) as John Vogelin
- The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Jed Clampett
- Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary (1980) as Self
- The Paradise Connection (1979) as Stuart Douglas
- The Paradise Connection (1979) Producer
- The Bastard (1978) as Benjamin Edes
- The Critical List (1978) as Charles Sprague
- Leave Yesterday Behind (1978) as Doc
- NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney (1978) as Self
- Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (1976) as Al Pearson
- Tom Sawyer (1976) as Muff Potter
- The Tiny Tree (1975) as Squire Badger (Narrator) (voice)
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Barnaby Jones
- The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973) as Glenn Farlee
- The President's Plane Is Missing (1973) as Vice President Kermit Madigan
- The Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1972) as Joshua Cabe
- Cannon (1971) as Barnaby Jones
- Alias Smith and Jones (1971)
- Night Gallery (1970)
- The Andersonville Trial (1970) as Dr. John Bates
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Professor Ambrose Pierce
- The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968) as Calvin Bower
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Dean Martin Show (1965)
- Mail Order Bride (1964) as Will Lane
- The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self
- Vacation Playhouse (1963)
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Jed "JD" Clampett
- The Interns (1962) as Dr. Sidney Wohl
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) as Doc Golightly
- Bus Stop (1961)
- Bus Stop (1961) as Virge Blessing
- Gunslinger (1961) as Jed Spangler
- Fury River (1961) as Sergeant Hunk Marriner
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as David Browne
- Checkmate (1960) as Pete O'Mara
- The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1960) as Dr. Mark Carroll
- Mission of Danger (1960) as Hunk Marriner
- Bonanza (1959) as Cactus Murphy
- Bonanza (1959) as Sheriff Jesse Sanders
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Jimbo Cobb
- Rawhide (1959) as George Stimson
- Rawhide (1959) as Will Kinch
- Adventures in Paradise (1959) as Ben Curtis
- Lock-Up (1959)
- Riverboat (1959) as Niles Cox
- Black Saddle (1959) as Gurney Rhodes
- Johnny Ringo (1959) as Sample
- Frontier Rangers (1959) as Sergeant Hunk Marriner
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Baxter Kellogg
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- Bronco (1958)
- Northwest Passage (1958) as Sergeant Hunk Marriner
- Maverick (1957)
- Maverick (1957) as Nero Lyme
- Maverick (1957) as Sheriff Scratch Madden
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) as Marshal Elmo Crane
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) as Bram Holden
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host / Presenter / Performer
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Northwest Passage
- Corky and White Shadow (1956) as Sheriff Matthew Brady
- Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956) as George Russel
- Between Heaven and Hell (1956) as Pvt. Willie Crawford
- Attack (1956) as Tolliver
- Disneyland: U.S.A. (1956) as Self - George Russel
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Hannibal
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Quimby
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Drago
- Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955) as George Russel
- Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race (1955) as George Russel
- Davy Crockett at the Alamo (1955) as George Russel
- Davy Crockett Goes to Congress (1955) as George Russel
- Climax! (1954) as Ben
- Climax! (1954) as Gaffney
- Studio 57 (1954)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as George Russel
- Night People (1954) as M/Sgt. Eddie McColloch
- Davy Crockett (1954) as George Russel
- Walt Disney Treasures - Davy Crockett (1954) as George Russell (archive footage)
- Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter (1954) as George Russel
- Red Garters (1954) as Ginger Pete
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Pa Jericho
- Omnibus (1952)
- Chevron Theatre (1952)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Rainspout Jones
- Utah Wagon Train (1951) as 'Snooper' Trent
- Silver City Bonanza (1951) as Gabe Horne
- Thunder in God's Country (1951) as Happy Hooper
- Rodeo King and the Senorita (1951) as Muscles Benton
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Under Mexicali Stars (1950) as Homer Oglethorpe
- The Ed Wynn Show (1949) as Self
- Sing Your Worries Away (1942) as Tommy Jones
- They Met in Argentina (1941) as Duke Ferrel
- Parachute Battalion (1941) as Jeff Hollis
- The Wizard of Oz (1939) as Tin Man (singing voice) (uncredited)
- Four Girls in White (1939) as Express, an Orderly
- The Kid From Texas (1939) as 'Snifty'
- Hollywood Hobbies (1939) as Self (uncredited)
- Yellow Jack (1938) as Jellybeans
- The Girl of the Golden West (1938) as Alabama
- My Lucky Star (1938) as Buddy
- Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937) as Peter Trot
- Banjo on My Knee (1936) as Buddy
- Born to Dance (1936) as 'Mush' Tracy
- Captain January (1936) as Paul Roberts
- Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935) as Ted
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Buddy Ebsen best known for?
Buddy Ebsen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Whole Ten Yards (2004), Burke's Law (1994), That's Entertainment! III (1994), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993).
When and where was Buddy Ebsen born?
Buddy Ebsen was born on April 2, 1908 in Belleville, Illinois, USA. They passed away on July 6, 2003.
How many credits does Buddy Ebsen have?
Buddy Ebsen has accumulated over 135 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1935 to 2005.
What is Buddy Ebsen's background in cinema and television?
Christian Ludolf Buddy Ebsen Jr., also known in SAG-AFTRA records as Frank Buddy Ebsen, was an American actor and dancer whose career spanned seven decades. Born on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, he was known for 122 known credits in acting. Ebsen starred as Jed Clampett in the long-running CBS television sitc...