Remembering Elly May Clampett [VIDEO]

By growing up in the 60's and 70's I had the chance to experience many of the pioneer television sitcoms and see the transformation from black and white programs to color.

Among my favorites was, 'The Beverly Hillbillies', that featured the Clampett Family, backwoods honest folk who became overnight millionaires when oil was discovered on their property.

There was Granny, the feisty 98 pound matriarch who had a big heart but don’t make her mad or she may just drag you into the woodshed.

Uncle Jed was the widower and leader of the Clampett Clan, who always did the right thing for his family.

Jethro Bodine, the nephew who came to Beverley Hills with the rest of the family and wanted to be a double knot spy, among other things that his dim witted personality just couldn’t comprehend.

And then there was Elly May, Uncle Jed’s daughter. She was beautiful and had a way with animals. She could tame any critter, a dog, bear, even a gorilla!

The studio had special music for her scenes and mostly focused on her beauty and gentle tom-boy nature, aside from a few wrestling matches with Jethro and any suitors that she thought were being inappropriate.

Elly May was played by actress Donna Douglas (real name Doris Smith) who was born in Louisiana, so her southern twang was a natural one.

She was very active in television during the late 50’s and early 60’s, and in 1962 she landed the character role that cast her into television immortality as Elly May Clampett.

In later years she recorded some gospel albums and made appearances at conventions along with other famous TV sitcom characters like her co-star Max Baer Jr. who played Jethro Bodine.

Donna Douglas lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on January 1st, 2015, at the age of 81. She left us with many memorable moments as sweet Elly May Clampett.

Check out a few below.