Donna Douglas
Biography
Donna Douglas, born Doris Ione Smith, was an American actress and singer best known for her role as Elly May Clampett in the CBS television series The Beverly Hillbillies. She was selected from among 500 young actresses to work alongside actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen on the program, which ran for nine consecutive seasons from 1962 to 1971. Following her acting career, Douglas worked as a real estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author of books for children and adults. According to archival and database records, her birth year is listed variously as 1932 or 1933, and her date of death is recorded as either January 1, 2015, or January 2, 2015.
Career overview
Donna Douglas was an American actress and singer widely known for her role as Elly May Clampett in the CBS television series The Beverly Hillbillies. Although she was an active actress in the 1960s and relatively unknown at the time, she was selected from among five hundred young actresses to work alongside veteran actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen on the program. The series ran for nine consecutive seasons, beginning in 1962 and ending in 1971.
Following her acting career, Douglas transitioned into several other pursuits. She became a real estate agent, a gospel singer, an inspirational speaker, and an author of books for both children and adults.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
37 titles- The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration (2019) as Janet Tyler (archive footage)
- An Awesome Christmas (2007)
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- The Nanny (1993) as Donna Douglas
- The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies (1993)
- Turtle Races (1991) as Herself
- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) as Ellie Mae
- The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Elly May Clampett
- Project U.F.O. (1978)
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Rita
- Night Gallery (1970)
- Love, American Style (1969) as Gloria
- Love, American Style (1969) as Annabelle
- Adam-12 (1968) as Nina Draper
- Frankie and Johnny (1966) as Frankie
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Elly May Clampett
- Sam Benedict (1962)
- Mister Ed (1961)
- Cain's Hundred (1961) as Edie
- Lover Come Back (1961) as Deborah, Peter's Secretary
- Thriller (1960) as Laura Bellman
- Route 66 (1960) as Dana
- Surfside 6 (1960)
- Surfside 6 (1960) as Amy Faris
- Pete and Gladys (1960)
- The Aquanauts (1960)
- Bells Are Ringing (1960) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Janet Tyler
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Debutante
- The Detectives (1959) as Sandra Hoyle
- Lock-Up (1959)
- North by Northwest (1959) as Woman on Sidewalk (uncredited)
- Career (1959) as Marjorie Burke
- Li'l Abner (1959) as Dogpatch Girl
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Jack Benny Program (1950)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Donna Douglas best known for?
Donna Douglas is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Nanny (1993), Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008), Project U.F.O. (1978), McMillan & Wife (1971).
When and where was Donna Douglas born?
Donna Douglas was born on September 26, 1933 in Pride Louisiana USA. They passed away on January 2, 2015.
How many credits does Donna Douglas have?
Donna Douglas has accumulated over 37 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2019.
What is Donna Douglas's background in cinema and television?
Donna Douglas, born Doris Ione Smith, was an American actress and singer best known for her role as Elly May Clampett in the CBS television series The Beverly Hillbillies. She was selected from among 500 young actresses to work alongside actor and dancer Buddy Ebsen on the program, which ran for nine consecutive season...
Donna Douglas by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Janet Tyler — aged about 25
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Debutante — aged about 25
- The Nanny (1993) as Donna Douglas — aged about 59
- North by Northwest (1959) as Woman on Sidewalk (uncredited) — aged about 25
- Night Gallery (1970) — aged about 36
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) — aged about 16
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