The Beverly Hillbillies Cast Then and Now (2023)

The Beverly Hillbillies was a legendary show that ran from 1962 to 1971. The Beverly Hillbillies cast remains one of the most famous line-ups in television history, and each of the regular actors enjoyed careers that stretched much further than just The Beverly Hillbillies series.

In this video, we're taking a look at The Beverly Hillbillies cast then and now! You may remember how they looked during the peak of the show, but a lot has changed since then. Sadly, many of the cast members have passed, but we are going to relive their best moments nonetheless.

00:00 - Intro
0:15 - Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett
1:20 - Irene Ryan as Granny
2:24 - Donna Douglas as Elly May Clampett
3:30 - Max Baer Jr. as Jethro Bodine
4:50 - Raymond Bailey as Milburn Drysdale
5:57 - Nancy Kulp as Jane Hathaway
6:57 - Harriet E MacGibbon as Mrs. Margaret Drysdale
8:00 - Bea Benaderet as Cousin Pearl Bodine
9:08 - Judy the Chimpanzee as Cousin Bessie

Buddy Ebsen starred in The Beverly Hillbillies as Jed Clampett. His career continued long after this role, and he went on to star in many other notable television series and films. He acted well into the 90s, until his death in 2003.

Irene Ryan was best known for playing Granny, although her career included a flurry of other roles. In addition to television, she also acted on the stage and in films. Sadly, she passed shortly after The Beverly Hillbillies ended its legendary run.

Donna Douglas played Elly May Clampett, who was surely one of the favorite cast members for more reason than one! With her iconic beauty, she helped keep audiences around the country glued to their screens. She too, enjoyed a long career after The Beverly Hillbillies aired their final episode. Sadly, she passed recently in 2015.

Max Bar Jr., who played Jethro Bodine, is the last surviving cast member of the Beverly Hillbillies. He hasn't had many acting gigs since the Beverly Hillbillies, but as the actor who played the iconic Jethro, he still makes appearances from time to time to discuss the show and what it meant to him, the rest of the cast and fans around the world.

Raymond Bailey, who played Milburn Drysdale, was already in his elder years as The Beverly Hillbillies began. He did finish out the show, and even made a few appearances in Disney films following the series, but it would just be a few years until he sadly passed away.

Nancy Kulp, who played Jane Hathaway, had perhaps one of the most interesting careers of her fellow cast members. After the Beverly Hillbillies, she enjoyed great success as a comedic actress on a variety of shows. She even ran for Congress in 1984, a race which she unfortunately lost.

Harriet E MacGibbon played Mrs. Margaret Drysdale, although it was her final role. She stepped out of the spotlight after The Beverly Hillbillies wrapped, and enjoyed a quiet life until her passing in 1987.

Bea Benaderet played cousin Pearl Bodine, while also starring as Kate in Petticoat Junction. Sadly, although this seemed to be the peak of her career, it was also the end. Bea battled with lung cancer in her final years, and passed at the fairly young age of 60, before The Beverly Hillbillies ended.

Judy the Chimpanzee was a talented acting animal who played Cousin Bessie in many episodes. Although her exact origins are unknown, she played a variety of roles for television throughout the 60s. She was known to be alive as of 1979, and no longer involved in entertainment. It is unlikely that she is still around today.

Do you love the Beverly Hilllbillies? Share your favorite memories and episodes with us in the comments! And subscribe to Facts Verse for more videos!
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[FactsVerse]

Who was your favorite cast member? Let us know below!

[headbangerministries]

I've been watching reruns of The Beverly Hillbillies on Tubi almost daily and they have been a real blessing

[raymondgross]

Thanks for the memories. One of the best shows ever. Rip all!

[posted]

I’m currently 20 years old and this show is extremely funny! Also it just feels relaxing to watch compared to the rest of the stuff on TV nowadays. I hope many young people go back and watch old movies and tv shows to see how modern media changed to what we have now.

[TheGroupOnly]

Good lord, here I am 26 and bawling my eyes out at this. I grew up watching this show on recorded VHS tapes along with Andy, Lucy, Red Skeleton. But the Hillbillies always felt like family to me.

My family and I always quote this show, least once every day. Miss shows like this. Fav character is probably Granny since she reminds me of my grandmother, who passed this year.

[msnman]

Brings back memories as a kid watching the Beverly hillbillies with family and friends

[pattisimmons]

I never missed that show. Those were some happy times for me. I was such a small child, I believed they were all real people living in this big house.
I miss those times. I miss being a child whose biggest worry was what cartoons were on Saturday morning.
Good yimes

[lauragriffin]

I adored Granny. Especially when she would angrily stomp around the house singing..."I got the joy, joy, joy joy, down in my heart."

[nancymontgomery]

The actress who played Mrs. Drysdale was a breathtaking beauty in her youth.

[lisaboling]

The Good Old love Elly May. I had the pleasure of meeting her at an Oldies Concert along with Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver) She was such a lovely and delightful lady. GREAT SHOW!

[youknowcrimedontpay]

This was and still is the belly hurting laughing show. Raced home from school to make sure I caught it before dinner. Loved every actor espacially Jetrow Bodine.

[rickp]

Just finished watching all 9 seasons, was around 7-8 yrs old when first watching the Beverly Hillbillies, couldn't resist but to watch all 9 seasons, episode after episode, just watched then and now, 56 yrs old now and just brought tears to my eyes, this show should b seen forever, now to continue watching Barnaby Joans, 4 more season left of Barnaby Joans to watch,

[patriciapettigrew-johnson]

Donna Douglas was always beautiful thruout her life.

[d_]

I'm only 17 and I accidentally found a copy of this show and watched it. Now I love it 😂 I've watched every episode I've found on YouTube

[conradgaarder]

Pearl: “Jeb, how can you even hesitate to move to California when here you got a creek for water, an outhouse and woods full o’ critters?”
Jeb: “Yeah, a feller’d have to be crazy to leave all this.”

[kevindoran]

I get a kick out of the fact that Donna Douglas played an 18 year old Elly at age 30.

[stargazeronesixseven]

Grow up with the Beverly Hillbillies ... Brought back so many Memories ... One of the Best " What Happened to " video out there >>> Accurate, Brief, Clear, & without any annoying Narrative or background music! The music in this video is just fine! Thank You So Much for the Great Effort & for Sharing! 🌷🍎🕯

[TeddyLindsell]

It was a lovely stroll down my favorite childhood Tv show…must be one of the earliest soap opera’s around then.. and RIP to those departed stars, it’s nice to know some momento of their contributions still live on today ..nice video guys 👍

[mojothepyruttleworthy]

Watching them all on Pluto tv, old memories loved it as a kid

[marycarter---]

I loved all of Beverly hillbillies cast . I still watch it to this day.