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Buddy Ebsen

March 11, 2023

Buddy Ebsen (born Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr.,[1] April 2, 1908 – July 6, 2003), also known as Frank "Buddy" Ebsen,[2] was an American actor and dancer, whose career spanned seven decades. One of his most famous roles was as Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971); afterwards he starred as the title character in the television detective drama Barnaby Jones (1973–1980).[3]

Buddy Ebsen
Ebsen as Barnaby Jones, with Lee Meriwether (1973)
Born
Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr.[1]

(1908-04-02)April 2, 1908
Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJuly 6, 2003(2003-07-06) (aged 95)
Torrance, California, U.S.
Alma materRollins College, University of Florida
Occupation(s)Actor, dancer, comedian
Years active1928–1999
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Ruth Cambridge
​
​
(m. 1936; div. 1942)​

Nancy Wolcott
​
​
(m. 1945; div. 1985)​

Dorothy Knott
​
(m. 1985)​
Children7, including Kiki Ebsen
RelativesVilma Ebsen (sister)
Websitewww.buddyebsen.com

Originally a dancer, Ebsen began his film career in Broadway Melody of 1936. He also appeared as a dancer with child star Shirley Temple in Captain January (1936). He was cast to appear in The Wizard of Oz (1939), originally as the Scarecrow, and before filming began, his role was changed to the Tin Man. He fell seriously ill during filming due to the aluminum dust in his makeup and was forced to drop out. He appeared with Maureen O'Hara in They Met in Argentina (1941) and June Havoc in Sing Your Worries Away (1942). In Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), he portrayed Doc Golightly, the much older husband of Audrey Hepburn's character. Before his starring role in The Beverly Hillbillies, Ebsen had a successful television career, the highlight of which was his role as Davy Crockett's sidekick, George Russell, in Walt Disney's Davy Crockett miniseries (1953–54).

Early years

A middle child with four sisters, Buddy Ebsen was born as Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.[4][3] His father, Christian Ludolf Ebsen Sr., was born in Niebüll, Germany in 1872 and moved to the United States in 1888.[5][6] He worked as a choreographer and was a physical fitness advocate; he owned a dance studio and subsequently operated a natatorium for the local school district.[7] His mother, Frances (née Wendt),[8] was a Baltic German (specifically, Latvian) painter.[citation needed]

Ebsen was raised in Belleville until the age of ten when his family moved to Palm Beach County, Florida. In 1920, Ebsen and his family relocated to Orlando, Florida. Ebsen and his sisters learned to dance at a dance studio his father operated in Orlando.[citation needed]

During his high school years, Ebsen became a member of John M. Cheney Chapter, Order of DeMolay. His involvement as a teenager led to his being recognized by DeMolay in adult life with the award of the Legion of Honor Degree, and later by induction into the DeMolay Alumni Hall of Fame.[citation needed]

Ebsen graduated from Orlando High School in 1926. Initially interested in a medical career, Ebsen attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, from 1926 to 1927, and then Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, from 1927 to 1928. Family financial problems caused by the collapse of the Florida land boom forced Ebsen to leave college at age 20.[citation needed]

Career

Ebsen left Orlando in the summer of 1928 to try his luck as a dancer in New York City, arriving with only $26.75 in his pocket, and worked at a soda fountain shop. His sister Vilma Ebsen and he performed as a dance act in supper clubs and in vaudeville — they were known as "The Baby Astaires". On Broadway, the Ebsens appeared in the musicals Whoopee, Flying Colors, and Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. A rave review from New York columnist Walter Winchell, who saw them perform in Atlantic City, New Jersey, led to a booking at the Palace Theatre in New York City, the pinnacle of the vaudeville world.

MGM signing

Ebsen went on to appear in numerous films, both musicals and nonmusicals, including the 1936 Born to Dance, the 1936 Captain January (in which he danced with Shirley Temple), the 1938 Broadway Melody of 1938 (with Judy Garland as his dance partner), and the 1938 The Girl of the Golden West. Ebsen partnered with actresses Eleanor Powell and Frances Langford, among others, and also danced solo.

Ebsen was noted for his unusual, surreal dancing and singing style (for example, his contribution to the "Swingin' the Jinx Away" finale of Born to Dance). His abilities might have been a reason filmmaker Walt Disney chose Ebsen to be filmed dancing in front of a grid as an aid to animating Mickey Mouse's dancing in Disney's 1929 to 1939 Silly Symphonies animated short films.

The Wizard of Oz

 
Ebsen as the Tin Man before being replaced by Jack Haley

Ebsen turned down Louis B. Mayer's offer of an exclusive MGM contract, and Mayer warned him that he would never work in Hollywood again. Nonetheless, MGM cast him as the Scarecrow in its 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Ebsen then swapped roles with actor Ray Bolger, who was originally cast as the Tin Man. Bolger wanted to play the Scarecrow, and Ebsen did not object to the change. Ebsen had recorded all of his songs as the Tin Man, attended all the rehearsals, and begun filming. However, he soon began experiencing body aches, muscle cramps, and shortness of breath, eventually leading to a lengthy hospitalization. Doctors determined that he was suffering a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust used in the Tin Man makeup, and he was forced to leave the production.[9][10] Ebsen recalled in an interview included on the 2005 DVD release of The Wizard of Oz that the MGM studio heads did not believe that he was ill until he was ordered back to the set and was intercepted by an angry nurse.

Ebsen was replaced by Jack Haley, with the makeup quickly changed to a safer aluminum paste. MGM did not publicize the true reason for Ebsen's departure; even Haley was not told until much later. Haley re-recorded most of Ebsen's vocals, although Ebsen's Midwestern accent can still be heard on the soundtrack during several reprises of "We're Off to See the Wizard", with the enunciated "r" in the word "wizard", as opposed to Haley's Boston accent. Ebsen's recording of the Tin Man's solo "If I Only Had a Heart" is included on the deluxe edition of the film's soundtrack, while a still photo recreation of the sequence featuring shots of Ebsen as the Tin Man was included as an extra with all VHS and DVD releases of the film since 1989. For the rest of his life, Ebsen complained of breathing problems from his involvement in "that damned movie". Nonetheless, he outlived all the major cast members in the film, with only some Munchkin actors and extras such as Shep Houghton outliving him.[11]

World War II

After recovering from the illness, Ebsen became embroiled in a contract dispute with MGM that left him idle for long periods. He took up sailing and became so proficient in seamanship that he taught the subject to naval officer candidates. He applied several times for a commission in the Navy in 1941, but was repeatedly turned down. The United States Coast Guard accepted his application for a commission, and he was promptly given the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. This wartime rank was one step up from the rank of ensign, the usual rank given newly appointed naval officers in peacetime. Ebsen served as damage control officer and later as executive officer on the Coast Guard-crewed Navy frigate USS Pocatello, which recorded weather at its "weather station" 1,500 miles west of Seattle. These patrols consisted of 30 days at sea, followed by 10 days in port at Seattle. Ebsen was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard as a lieutenant in 1946.[12]

Return to acting

 
L-R: Christine Moore, Dane Clark, Buddy Ebsen and Jane Burgess in "The Prime Mover", a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone

Ebsen made his television debut on an episode of The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre in 1949. This led to television appearances in: Stars Over Hollywood, Gruen Guild Playhouse, four episodes of Broadway Television Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Corky and White Shadow, the H.J. Heinz Company's Studio 57, Screen Directors Playhouse, two episodes of Climax!, Tales of Wells Fargo, Playhouse 90, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Johnny Ringo, two episodes of Bonanza, three episodes of Maverick (in which he portrayed assorted homicidal villains), and 77 Sunset Strip. Ebsen received wide television exposure when he played Georgie Russel, a role based on a historical person [13][14] and companion to frontiersman Davy Crockett, in the Disneyland television miniseries Davy Crockett (1954–1955).

In the 1958–1959 season, Ebsen co-starred in the 26-episode half-hour NBC television adventure series Northwest Passage. This series, the first half-hour Western filmed and broadcast in color on NBC, was a fictionalized account of Major Robert Rogers, a colonial American fighter for the British in the French and Indian War. Ebsen played the role of Sergeant Hunk Marriner; Keith Larsen played Rogers. From 1960 to 1962, Ebsen appeared in episodes of the television series Rawhide and Tales of Wells Fargo. Ebsen also portrayed a corrupt, bloodthirsty marshal in "El Paso Stage", an episode of Have Gun, Will Travel broadcast in April 1961.

Between October 1961 and March 1962, Ebsen had a recurring role as Virge Blessing in the ABC drama series Bus Stop, the story of travelers passing through the bus station and diner in the fictitious town of Sunrise, Colorado. Robert Altman directed several episodes. Arthur O'Connell had played Virge Blessing in the earlier film version on which the series was loosely based. Ebsen also appeared as "Mr. Dave" Browne, a homeless hobo, on The Andy Griffith Show opposite Ron Howard, and as Jimbo Cobb in The Twilight Zone episode "The Prime Mover" (season 2, episode 21) in 1961. Throughout the show's run, he played several characters on Gunsmoke including as the episode title character in Season 17, Episode 11 (Drago). A notable exception to Ebsen's continual work in Westerns and rural television shows was an acclaimed role as Doc Golightly, an older, rural veterinarian deserted by his young wife (played by Audrey Hepburn) in 1961's Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971)

Paul Henning recalls his reason for choosing Ebsen to play Jed Clampett: "I had seen him on TV and I couldn't imagine anyone else doing the role," he says. "I was fortunate to have him, because he became the cornerstone of the show."

[15]

 
Irene Ryan and Ebsen, 1970

Ebsen became famous as Jed Clampett, an easygoing backwoods mountaineer who strikes oil and moves with his family to Beverly Hills, California, in the long-running, fish-out-of-water CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.

Although scorned by critics, The Beverly Hillbillies attracted as many as 60 million viewers between 1962 and 1971 and was several times the highest-rated series on television. The show also spawned similar Paul Henning-produced rural sitcoms such as Green Acres and Petticoat Junction, which were eventually linked in crossover episode arcs. The Beverly Hillbillies was still earning good ratings when it was cancelled by CBS (because programmers began shunning shows that attracted a rural audience). One episode, "The Giant Jack Rabbit", was the highest-rated half-hour on television to that time and remains[when?] the most-watched half-hour sitcom episode.[16]

Not all was harmonious among cast members on The Beverly Hillbillies set, especially between the politically conservative Ebsen and the more liberal Nancy Kulp. Said Douglas, "They had a different view, so they had some heated discussions about that. They would go at it for weeks." In 1984, Kulp unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat from Pennsylvania. To her dismay, Ebsen supported her Republican opponent, incumbent Representative Bud Shuster, going so far as to tape an ad for Shuster that labeled Kulp as "too liberal". Ebsen claimed she was exploiting her celebrity status and did not know the issues.[17][18]

Barnaby Jones (1973–1980)

Ebsen returned to television in 1973 as the title character of Barnaby Jones, which proved to be his second long-running television series. Barnaby Jones was a milk-drinking detective who came out of retirement to investigate the death of his son. Critics and CBS executives ridiculed the age of the show's audience,[clarification needed] but it lasted 8 seasons and 178 episodes.[19] Lee Meriwether, 1955 Miss America, played Barnaby's widowed daughter-in-law, Betty Jones. Ebsen appeared briefly as Barnaby Jones on two other productions: a 1975 episode of Cannon and the 1993 film The Beverly Hillbillies.

Meriwether said of her on and off screen chemistry with Ebsen, "He really worked at being at the top of his game." "You had to keep up with him. I adored him. I think he had feelings for me, too."[20] She also said of the man, "I loved that man! I was so lucky. He was a dream." "He loved the idea of being a detective. We had CSI-type equipment in the office on the set and he liked doing his own tests. It was a show the whole family could watch."[21]

Other television credits

Ebsen's last regular television series was Matt Houston on ABC, starring Lee Horsley. Ebsen played Matt's uncle, Roy Houston, during the show's third season from 1984 to 1985. He also appeared in "The Waiting Room", a Night Gallery segment that originally aired January 26, 1972.[22]

Ebsen narrated the documentary series Disney Family Album during the 1980s on the Disney Channel and Steven Kellogg's "Paul Bunyan" on the PBS series Reading Rainbow in 1985. He made his final guest-starring appearance in 1994 on an episode of the short-lived television series revival Burke's Law.

Later years

Although generally retired from acting as he entered his 80s, Ebsen filmed a cameo in the 1993 film version of The Beverly Hillbillies as Barnaby Jones. This was Ebsen's final motion picture role. In 1999, Ebsen provided the voice of Chet Elderson for an episode of the Fox Entertainment program King of the Hill. This was his last TV appearance.[23]

Ebsen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street, and a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[24]

In 1993, Ebsen was inducted as a Disney Legends award winner.[25]

Personal life

 
Polynesian Concept, a catamaran designed and built by Buddy Ebsen

In 1936, Ebsen married Ruth Cambridge. They had two daughters. The marriage ended in divorce.[26][4]

In 1945, Ebsen married fellow lieutenant Nancy Wolcott. They had four daughters, including Kiki Ebsen, and a son. This marriage, after 39 years, also ended in divorce.[26][4] His daughters Kiki, Kathy, and Bonnie are all accomplished horsewomen.[27]

In 1985, Ebsen married his third wife, Dorothy "Dotti" Knott. They had no children.[26][4][28]

Throughout his life, Ebsen had many interests. He became a folk artist and an avid coin collector, co-founding the Beverly Hills Coin Club in 1987 with actor Chris Aable. Ebsen's collection included many rarities such as a four-dollar gold piece worth $200,000. The coin was sold in several auctions both before and after his death. As Ebsen entered his nineties, he continued to keep active, and two years before his death, his bestselling novel Kelly's Quest was published.[26][28] Ebsen wrote several other books including Polynesian Concept (about sailing), The Other Side of Oz (an autobiography) and Sizzling Cold Case (a mystery based on his Barnaby Jones character).[29]

Ebsen supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.[30]

Death

Ebsen died of respiratory failure at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California, on July 6, 2003, at the age of 95.[26][4][3][28] Upon his death, his burial was at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California.[citation needed]

Discography

Albums

  • The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) - with Irene Ryan
  • Buddy's Originals (2001)[31]
  • Buddy Ebsen Says Howdy (2003)

Filmography

Film

Excluding appearances as himself.

Television

Books (as author)

  • Polynesian Concept, with George A. Gunston (1972)
  • The Other Side of Oz, with Stephen Cox (1994)
  • Kelly's Quest (2000)
  • Sizzling Cold Case, with Darlene Quinn

References

  1. ^ a b . Orlando Sentinel. November 9, 2005. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  2. ^ Ebsen apparently joined the Screen Actors Guild using this name on February 13, 1937.Yaros, Valerie. . SAG History. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c McLellan, Dennis (July 8, 2003). "Buddy Ebsen, 95; Actor-Dancer Was Jed Clampett of 'Beverly Hillbillies'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Buddy Ebsen, of 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' Dies at 95". The New York Times. July 8, 2003. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  5. ^ United States Census 1900
  6. ^ ancestry of C.L. Ebsen
  7. ^ "Buddy Ebsen". classicimages. August 25, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  8. ^ "Stroke Fatal to Summer Visitor; Rites Are Held". The Times-News. July 21, 1951. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  9. ^ "Wizard of Oz and Buddy Ebsen". snopes.com. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  10. ^ SAG-AFTRA Early Members: 1937 . Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Frank 'Buddy' Ebsen: "When I was cast as the original Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939), I almost disappeared over the rainbow because of the poisonous aluminum dust in my silvery make-up. It cost me a big medical bill. If that happened today, the Guild would have taken care of it. SAG, long may they wave."
  11. ^ Cox, Stephen (1988, rev. 2003). The Beverly Hillbillies: A Fortieth Anniversary Wing Ding. Cumberland House Publishing; Rev Exp edition. ISBN 1-58182-302-9.
  12. ^ Stars in Blue, James E. Wise Jr. and Anne Collier Rehill, Naval Institute Press, 1997, p. 159, ISBN 1-55750-937-9
  13. ^ Williams, Janelle. "Re: George Russell". genealogy.com. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  14. ^ National Archives and Records Administration. Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812. Washington, D.C.: Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. pp. M602, 234 rolls.
  15. ^ Murphy, Tom (February 12, 1995). "Come Listen To A Story 'bout A Man Named... Buddy, Barnaby & Jed". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  16. ^ . The Retroist. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  17. ^ Folkart, Burt A. (February 5, 1991). "Nancy Kulp; Foil in 'Beverly Hillbillies'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  18. ^ "Feudin' Hillbillies: Jed Clampett Opposes Miss Hathaway's House Bid". The Palm Beach Post. November 2, 1984. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  19. ^ Halperin, James L.; Mangus, Don; Dowell, Gary (2008). HMM Dallas Music and Entertainment Memorabilia Auction Catalog #688. Heritage Capital Corporation. ISBN 9781599672298.
  20. ^ "There she is .... Lee Meriwether; Classic Hollywood: Former Miss America Lee Meriwether has graced stage and screen for nearly six decades". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 2013. from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  21. ^ Hingley, Audrey T. (June 9, 2014). "Where Are They Now? Lee Meriwether, Who Played "Catwoman"". boomermagazine.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  22. ^ Benson, Jim; Skelton, Scott (1999). Rod Serling's Night Gallery: An After-hours Tour. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 9780815627821.
  23. ^ "Buddy Ebsen". IMDb. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  24. ^ St. Louis Walk of Fame. . stlouiswalkoffame.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  25. ^ "Buddy Ebsen - D23". The Official Disney Fan Club.
  26. ^ a b c d e Bergan, Ronald (July 10, 2003). "Buddy Ebsen". The Guardian. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  27. ^ "Three Ebsen Sisters + Horses = A Legacy for the Ages". Equine Info Exchange. October 19, 2015.
  28. ^ a b c Silverman, Stephen M. (July 7, 2003). "Actor Buddy Ebsen Dies at 95". People. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  29. ^ "Amazon; Buddy Ebsen". Amazon. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  30. ^ Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics. ISBN 9781107650282.
  31. ^ "Buddy Ebsen Obituary".
  32. ^ ""The Water of Gorgeous Springs", Riverboat, November 7, 1960". IMDb. Retrieved February 21, 2013.

Further reading

  • Frank, Rusty E. Tap: The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories, 1900–1955. New York: W. Morrow, 1990. OCLC 430363872
  • Wise, James. Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1997. ISBN 1557509379 OCLC 36824724

External links

March 11, 2023
buddy, ebsen, born, christian, ludolf, ebsen, april, 1908, july, 2003, also, known, frank, buddy, ebsen, american, actor, dancer, whose, career, spanned, seven, decades, most, famous, roles, clampett, television, sitcom, beverly, hillbillies, 1962, 1971, after. Buddy Ebsen born Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr 1 April 2 1908 July 6 2003 also known as Frank Buddy Ebsen 2 was an American actor and dancer whose career spanned seven decades One of his most famous roles was as Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies 1962 1971 afterwards he starred as the title character in the television detective drama Barnaby Jones 1973 1980 3 Buddy EbsenEbsen as Barnaby Jones with Lee Meriwether 1973 BornChristian Ludolf Ebsen Jr 1 1908 04 02 April 2 1908Belleville Illinois U S DiedJuly 6 2003 2003 07 06 aged 95 Torrance California U S Alma materRollins College University of FloridaOccupation s Actor dancer comedianYears active1928 1999Political partyRepublicanSpouse s Ruth Cambridge m 1936 div 1942 wbr Nancy Wolcott m 1945 div 1985 wbr Dorothy Knott m 1985 wbr Children7 including Kiki EbsenRelativesVilma Ebsen sister Websitewww wbr buddyebsen wbr comOriginally a dancer Ebsen began his film career in Broadway Melody of 1936 He also appeared as a dancer with child star Shirley Temple in Captain January 1936 He was cast to appear in The Wizard of Oz 1939 originally as the Scarecrow and before filming began his role was changed to the Tin Man He fell seriously ill during filming due to the aluminum dust in his makeup and was forced to drop out He appeared with Maureen O Hara in They Met in Argentina 1941 and June Havoc in Sing Your Worries Away 1942 In Breakfast at Tiffany s 1961 he portrayed Doc Golightly the much older husband of Audrey Hepburn s character Before his starring role in The Beverly Hillbillies Ebsen had a successful television career the highlight of which was his role as Davy Crockett s sidekick George Russell in Walt Disney s Davy Crockett miniseries 1953 54 Contents 1 Early years 2 Career 2 1 MGM signing 2 2 The Wizard of Oz 2 3 World War II 2 4 Return to acting 2 5 The Beverly Hillbillies 1962 1971 2 6 Barnaby Jones 1973 1980 2 7 Other television credits 2 8 Later years 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Discography 5 1 Albums 6 Filmography 6 1 Film 6 2 Television 6 3 Books as author 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External linksEarly years EditA middle child with four sisters Buddy Ebsen was born as Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr on April 2 1908 in Belleville Illinois 4 3 His father Christian Ludolf Ebsen Sr was born in Niebull Germany in 1872 and moved to the United States in 1888 5 6 He worked as a choreographer and was a physical fitness advocate he owned a dance studio and subsequently operated a natatorium for the local school district 7 His mother Frances nee Wendt 8 was a Baltic German specifically Latvian painter citation needed Ebsen was raised in Belleville until the age of ten when his family moved to Palm Beach County Florida In 1920 Ebsen and his family relocated to Orlando Florida Ebsen and his sisters learned to dance at a dance studio his father operated in Orlando citation needed During his high school years Ebsen became a member of John M Cheney Chapter Order of DeMolay His involvement as a teenager led to his being recognized by DeMolay in adult life with the award of the Legion of Honor Degree and later by induction into the DeMolay Alumni Hall of Fame citation needed Ebsen graduated from Orlando High School in 1926 Initially interested in a medical career Ebsen attended the University of Florida in Gainesville Florida from 1926 to 1927 and then Rollins College in Winter Park Florida from 1927 to 1928 Family financial problems caused by the collapse of the Florida land boom forced Ebsen to leave college at age 20 citation needed Career EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Ebsen left Orlando in the summer of 1928 to try his luck as a dancer in New York City arriving with only 26 75 in his pocket and worked at a soda fountain shop His sister Vilma Ebsen and he performed as a dance act in supper clubs and in vaudeville they were known as The Baby Astaires On Broadway the Ebsens appeared in the musicals Whoopee Flying Colors and Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 A rave review from New York columnist Walter Winchell who saw them perform in Atlantic City New Jersey led to a booking at the Palace Theatre in New York City the pinnacle of the vaudeville world MGM signing Edit Ebsen went on to appear in numerous films both musicals and nonmusicals including the 1936 Born to Dance the 1936 Captain January in which he danced with Shirley Temple the 1938 Broadway Melody of 1938 with Judy Garland as his dance partner and the 1938 The Girl of the Golden West Ebsen partnered with actresses Eleanor Powell and Frances Langford among others and also danced solo Ebsen was noted for his unusual surreal dancing and singing style for example his contribution to the Swingin the Jinx Away finale of Born to Dance His abilities might have been a reason filmmaker Walt Disney chose Ebsen to be filmed dancing in front of a grid as an aid to animating Mickey Mouse s dancing in Disney s 1929 to 1939 Silly Symphonies animated short films The Wizard of Oz Edit Ebsen as the Tin Man before being replaced by Jack Haley Ebsen turned down Louis B Mayer s offer of an exclusive MGM contract and Mayer warned him that he would never work in Hollywood again Nonetheless MGM cast him as the Scarecrow in its 1939 film The Wizard of Oz Ebsen then swapped roles with actor Ray Bolger who was originally cast as the Tin Man Bolger wanted to play the Scarecrow and Ebsen did not object to the change Ebsen had recorded all of his songs as the Tin Man attended all the rehearsals and begun filming However he soon began experiencing body aches muscle cramps and shortness of breath eventually leading to a lengthy hospitalization Doctors determined that he was suffering a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust used in the Tin Man makeup and he was forced to leave the production 9 10 Ebsen recalled in an interview included on the 2005 DVD release of The Wizard of Oz that the MGM studio heads did not believe that he was ill until he was ordered back to the set and was intercepted by an angry nurse Ebsen was replaced by Jack Haley with the makeup quickly changed to a safer aluminum paste MGM did not publicize the true reason for Ebsen s departure even Haley was not told until much later Haley re recorded most of Ebsen s vocals although Ebsen s Midwestern accent can still be heard on the soundtrack during several reprises of We re Off to See the Wizard with the enunciated r in the word wizard as opposed to Haley s Boston accent Ebsen s recording of the Tin Man s solo If I Only Had a Heart is included on the deluxe edition of the film s soundtrack while a still photo recreation of the sequence featuring shots of Ebsen as the Tin Man was included as an extra with all VHS and DVD releases of the film since 1989 For the rest of his life Ebsen complained of breathing problems from his involvement in that damned movie Nonetheless he outlived all the major cast members in the film with only some Munchkin actors and extras such as Shep Houghton outliving him 11 World War II Edit After recovering from the illness Ebsen became embroiled in a contract dispute with MGM that left him idle for long periods He took up sailing and became so proficient in seamanship that he taught the subject to naval officer candidates He applied several times for a commission in the Navy in 1941 but was repeatedly turned down The United States Coast Guard accepted his application for a commission and he was promptly given the rank of lieutenant junior grade This wartime rank was one step up from the rank of ensign the usual rank given newly appointed naval officers in peacetime Ebsen served as damage control officer and later as executive officer on the Coast Guard crewed Navy frigate USS Pocatello which recorded weather at its weather station 1 500 miles west of Seattle These patrols consisted of 30 days at sea followed by 10 days in port at Seattle Ebsen was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard as a lieutenant in 1946 12 Return to acting Edit L R Christine Moore Dane Clark Buddy Ebsen and Jane Burgess in The Prime Mover a 1961 episode of The Twilight Zone Ebsen made his television debut on an episode of The Chevrolet Tele Theatre in 1949 This led to television appearances in Stars Over Hollywood Gruen Guild Playhouse four episodes of Broadway Television Theatre Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Corky and White Shadow the H J Heinz Company s Studio 57 Screen Directors Playhouse two episodes of Climax Tales of Wells Fargo Playhouse 90 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Johnny Ringo two episodes of Bonanza three episodes of Maverick in which he portrayed assorted homicidal villains and 77 Sunset Strip Ebsen received wide television exposure when he played Georgie Russel a role based on a historical person 13 14 and companion to frontiersman Davy Crockett in the Disneyland television miniseries Davy Crockett 1954 1955 In the 1958 1959 season Ebsen co starred in the 26 episode half hour NBC television adventure series Northwest Passage This series the first half hour Western filmed and broadcast in color on NBC was a fictionalized account of Major Robert Rogers a colonial American fighter for the British in the French and Indian War Ebsen played the role of Sergeant Hunk Marriner Keith Larsen played Rogers From 1960 to 1962 Ebsen appeared in episodes of the television series Rawhide and Tales of Wells Fargo Ebsen also portrayed a corrupt bloodthirsty marshal in El Paso Stage an episode of Have Gun Will Travel broadcast in April 1961 Between October 1961 and March 1962 Ebsen had a recurring role as Virge Blessing in the ABC drama series Bus Stop the story of travelers passing through the bus station and diner in the fictitious town of Sunrise Colorado Robert Altman directed several episodes Arthur O Connell had played Virge Blessing in the earlier film version on which the series was loosely based Ebsen also appeared as Mr Dave Browne a homeless hobo on The Andy Griffith Show opposite Ron Howard and as Jimbo Cobb inThe Twilight Zoneepisode The Prime Mover season 2 episode 21 in 1961 Throughout the show s run he played several characters on Gunsmoke including as the episode title character in Season 17 Episode 11 Drago A notable exception to Ebsen s continual work in Westerns and rural television shows was an acclaimed role as Doc Golightly an older rural veterinarian deserted by his young wife played by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 s Breakfast at Tiffany s The Beverly Hillbillies 1962 1971 Edit Paul Henning recalls his reason for choosing Ebsen to play Jed Clampett I had seen him on TV and I couldn t imagine anyone else doing the role he says I was fortunate to have him because he became the cornerstone of the show 15 Irene Ryan and Ebsen 1970 Ebsen became famous as Jed Clampett an easygoing backwoods mountaineer who strikes oil and moves with his family to Beverly Hills California in the long running fish out of water CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies Although scorned by critics The Beverly Hillbillies attracted as many as 60 million viewers between 1962 and 1971 and was several times the highest rated series on television The show also spawned similar Paul Henning produced rural sitcoms such as Green Acres and Petticoat Junction which were eventually linked in crossover episode arcs The Beverly Hillbillies was still earning good ratings when it was cancelled by CBS because programmers began shunning shows that attracted a rural audience One episode The Giant Jack Rabbit was the highest rated half hour on television to that time and remains when the most watched half hour sitcom episode 16 Not all was harmonious among cast members on The Beverly Hillbillies set especially between the politically conservative Ebsen and the more liberal Nancy Kulp Said Douglas They had a different view so they had some heated discussions about that They would go at it for weeks In 1984 Kulp unsuccessfully ran for the U S House of Representatives as a Democrat from Pennsylvania To her dismay Ebsen supported her Republican opponent incumbent Representative Bud Shuster going so far as to tape an ad for Shuster that labeled Kulp as too liberal Ebsen claimed she was exploiting her celebrity status and did not know the issues 17 18 Barnaby Jones 1973 1980 Edit Ebsen returned to television in 1973 as the title character of Barnaby Jones which proved to be his second long running television series Barnaby Jones was a milk drinking detective who came out of retirement to investigate the death of his son Critics and CBS executives ridiculed the age of the show s audience clarification needed but it lasted 8 seasons and 178 episodes 19 Lee Meriwether 1955 Miss America played Barnaby s widowed daughter in law Betty Jones Ebsen appeared briefly as Barnaby Jones on two other productions a 1975 episode of Cannon and the 1993 film The Beverly Hillbillies Meriwether said of her on and off screen chemistry with Ebsen He really worked at being at the top of his game You had to keep up with him I adored him I think he had feelings for me too 20 She also said of the man I loved that man I was so lucky He was a dream He loved the idea of being a detective We had CSI type equipment in the office on the set and he liked doing his own tests It was a show the whole family could watch 21 Other television credits Edit Ebsen s last regular television series was Matt Houston on ABC starring Lee Horsley Ebsen played Matt s uncle Roy Houston during the show s third season from 1984 to 1985 He also appeared in The Waiting Room aNight Gallerysegment that originally aired January 26 1972 22 Ebsen narrated the documentary series Disney Family Album during the 1980s on the Disney Channel and Steven Kellogg s Paul Bunyan on the PBS series Reading Rainbow in 1985 He made his final guest starring appearance in 1994 on an episode of the short lived television series revival Burke s Law Later years Edit Although generally retired from acting as he entered his 80s Ebsen filmed a cameo in the 1993 film version of The Beverly Hillbillies as Barnaby Jones This was Ebsen s final motion picture role In 1999 Ebsen provided the voice of Chet Elderson for an episode of the Fox Entertainment program King of the Hill This was his last TV appearance 23 Ebsen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street and a star on the St Louis Walk of Fame 24 In 1993 Ebsen was inducted as a Disney Legends award winner 25 Personal life Edit Polynesian Concept a catamaran designed and built by Buddy Ebsen In 1936 Ebsen married Ruth Cambridge They had two daughters The marriage ended in divorce 26 4 In 1945 Ebsen married fellow lieutenant Nancy Wolcott They had four daughters including Kiki Ebsen and a son This marriage after 39 years also ended in divorce 26 4 His daughters Kiki Kathy and Bonnie are all accomplished horsewomen 27 In 1985 Ebsen married his third wife Dorothy Dotti Knott They had no children 26 4 28 Throughout his life Ebsen had many interests He became a folk artist and an avid coin collector co founding the Beverly Hills Coin Club in 1987 with actor Chris Aable Ebsen s collection included many rarities such as a four dollar gold piece worth 200 000 The coin was sold in several auctions both before and after his death As Ebsen entered his nineties he continued to keep active and two years before his death his bestselling novel Kelly s Quest was published 26 28 Ebsen wrote several other books including Polynesian Concept about sailing The Other Side of Oz an autobiography and Sizzling Cold Case a mystery based on his Barnaby Jones character 29 Ebsen supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election 30 Death EditEbsen died of respiratory failure at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance California on July 6 2003 at the age of 95 26 4 3 28 Upon his death his burial was at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach California citation needed Discography EditAlbums Edit The Beverly Hillbillies 1993 with Irene Ryan Buddy s Originals 2001 31 Buddy Ebsen Says Howdy 2003 Filmography EditFilm Edit Excluding appearances as himself Broadway Melody of 1936 1935 as Ted Burke Captain January 1936 as Paul Roberts Born to Dance 1936 as Mush Tracy Banjo on My Knee 1936 as Buddy Broadway Melody of 1938 1937 as Peter Trot The Girl of the Golden West 1938 as Alabama Yellow Jack 1938 as Jellybeans My Lucky Star 1938 as Buddy Four Girls in White 1939 as Express The Kid from Texas 1939 as Snifty The Wizard of Oz 1939 replaced before filming due to health reasons as The Tin Man singing voice uncredited They Met in Argentina 1941 as Duke Ferrel Parachute Battalion 1941 as Jeff Hollis Sing Your Worries Away 1942 as Tommy Jones Under Mexicali Stars 1950 as Homer Oglethorpe Silver City Bonanza 1951 as Gabe Horne Thunder in God s Country 1951 as Deputy Happy Hooper Rodeo King and the Senorita 1951 as Muscles Benton Utah Wagon Train 1951 as Snooper The Andrews Sisters 1951 TV Movie as Tex Red Garters 1954 as Ginger Pete Night People 1954 as MSgt Eddie McColloch Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier 1955 as George Russel archive footage Davy Crockett and the River Pirates 1956 as George Russel archive footage Attack 1956 as Sfc Tolliver Fox Co Between Heaven and Hell 1956 as Pvt Willie Crawford Mission of Danger 1959 based on three Northwest Passage TV episodes as Hunk Marriner archive footage Frontier Rangers 1959 as Sergeant Hunk Marriner archive footage Breakfast at Tiffany s 1961 as Doc Golightly Westinghouse Presents That s Where the Town Is Going 1962 TV Movie as George Prebble The Interns 1962 as Dr Sidney Wohl Mail Order Bride 1964 as Will Lane Mr Kingston 1964 TV Movie The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band 1968 as Calvin Bower The Andersonville Trial 1970 TV Movie as Dr John Bates Gunsmoke 1971 S17E11 Drago as Drago The Daughters of Joshua Cabe 1972 TV Movie as Joshua Cabe The Horror at 37 000 Feet 1973 TV Movie as Glenn Farlee Tom Sawyer 1973 TV Movie as Muff Potter The President s Plane is Missing 1973 TV Movie as Vice President Kermit Madigan Smash Up on Interstate 5 1976 TV Movie as Al Pearson Leave Yesterday Behind 1978 TV Movie as Doc The Bastard 1978 TV Movie as Benjamin Edes The Critical List 1978 TV Movie as Charles Sprague The Paradise Connection 1979 TV Movie as Stuart Douglas Return of the Beverly Hillbillies 1981 TV Movie as Jed Clampett Fire on the Mountain 1981 TV Movie as John Vogelin Stone Fox 1987 TV Movie as Grandpa Working Tra h 1990 TV Movie as Vandevere Lodge The Beverly Hillbillies 1993 as Barnaby Jones cameo Television Edit Northwest Passage 1958 1959 as Sergeant Hunk Marriner in 26 episodes Bonanza 1959 as Sheriff Jesse Sanders in the episode The Sisters Maverick 1959 as Sheriff Scratch Mannon in the episode The Cats of Paradise Riverboat 1960 as Niles Cox in The Water of Gorgeous Springs 32 The Twilight Zone 1961 as Jimbo Cobb in The Prime Mover The Barbara Stanwyck Show 1961 as Dr Mark Carroll in Little Big Mouth The Andy Griffith Show 1961 as David Browne in Opie s Hobo Friend Gunsmoke 1961 as Print Quimby in the episode All That Rawhide 1962 as Doctor George Stimson in The Pitchwagon The Beverly Hillbillies 1962 1971 as Jed Clampett in 274 episodes Gunsmoke 1971 as Drago in the episode Drago Bonanza 1972 as Cactus Murphy in The Saddle Stiff Alias Smith and Jones 1972 as Phil Archer in High Lonesome Country Barnaby Jones 1973 1980 as Barnaby Jones in 178 episodes Cannon 1975 as Barnaby Jones in The Deadly Conspiracy Part 1 Matt Houston 1984 1985 as Roy Houston in 22 episodes Burke s Law 1994 as Louie Pike in Who Killed Nick Hazard King of the Hill 1999 as Chet Elderson voice in A Firefighting We Will Go Biography portal Illinois portal Florida portal New York state portal California portal Theatre portal Film portal Television portal World War II portalBooks as author Edit Polynesian Concept with George A Gunston 1972 The Other Side of Oz with Stephen Cox 1994 Kelly s Quest 2000 Sizzling Cold Case with Darlene QuinnReferences Edit a b Ebsen Viewed Fame As A Long Shot Orlando Sentinel November 9 2005 Archived from the original on December 24 2013 Retrieved November 4 2013 Ebsen apparently joined the Screen Actors Guild using this name on February 13 1937 Yaros Valerie Early Members 1933 1937 Frank Buddy Ebsen SAG History Archived from the original on March 7 2005 Retrieved December 10 2018 a b c McLellan Dennis July 8 2003 Buddy Ebsen 95 Actor Dancer Was Jed Clampett of Beverly Hillbillies Los Angeles Times Retrieved June 17 2015 a b c d e Buddy Ebsen of The Beverly Hillbillies Dies at 95 The New York Times July 8 2003 Retrieved June 17 2015 United States Census 1900 ancestry of C L Ebsen Buddy Ebsen classicimages August 25 2006 Retrieved January 4 2016 Stroke Fatal to Summer Visitor Rites Are Held The Times News July 21 1951 Retrieved July 6 2017 Wizard of Oz and Buddy Ebsen snopes com Retrieved September 9 2012 SAG AFTRA Early Members 1937 Early Members 1937 SAG AFTRA Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved February 21 2016 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Frank Buddy Ebsen When I was cast as the original Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz 1939 I almost disappeared over the rainbow because of the poisonous aluminum dust in my silvery make up It cost me a big medical bill If that happened today the Guild would have taken care of it SAG long may they wave Cox Stephen 1988 rev 2003 The Beverly Hillbillies A Fortieth Anniversary Wing Ding Cumberland House Publishing Rev Exp edition ISBN 1 58182 302 9 Stars in Blue James E Wise Jr and Anne Collier Rehill Naval Institute Press 1997 p 159 ISBN 1 55750 937 9 Williams Janelle Re George Russell genealogy com Retrieved August 12 2008 National Archives and Records Administration Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812 Washington D C Washington D C National Archives and Records Administration pp M602 234 rolls Murphy Tom February 12 1995 Come Listen To A Story bout A Man Named Buddy Barnaby amp Jed Sun Sentinel Retrieved June 17 2015 The Giant Jackrabbit What is a Beverly Hillbillies Episode Doing on the TV All Time Most Watched List The Retroist Archived from the original on June 17 2015 Retrieved June 17 2015 Folkart Burt A February 5 1991 Nancy Kulp Foil in Beverly Hillbillies Los Angeles Times Retrieved June 17 2015 Feudin Hillbillies Jed Clampett Opposes Miss Hathaway s House Bid The Palm Beach Post November 2 1984 Retrieved June 17 2015 Halperin James L Mangus Don Dowell Gary 2008 HMM Dallas Music and Entertainment Memorabilia Auction Catalog 688 Heritage Capital Corporation ISBN 9781599672298 There she is Lee Meriwether Classic Hollywood Former Miss America Lee Meriwether has graced stage and screen for nearly six decades Los Angeles Times August 19 2013 Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved July 6 2017 Hingley Audrey T June 9 2014 Where Are They Now Lee Meriwether Who Played Catwoman boomermagazine com Retrieved July 6 2017 Benson Jim Skelton Scott 1999 Rod Serling s Night Gallery An After hours Tour Syracuse University Press ISBN 9780815627821 Buddy Ebsen IMDb Retrieved April 30 2018 St Louis Walk of Fame St Louis Walk of Fame Inductees stlouiswalkoffame org Archived from the original on October 31 2012 Retrieved April 25 2013 Buddy Ebsen D23 The Official Disney Fan Club a b c d e Bergan Ronald July 10 2003 Buddy Ebsen The Guardian Retrieved June 18 2015 Three Ebsen Sisters Horses A Legacy for the Ages Equine Info Exchange October 19 2015 a b c Silverman Stephen M July 7 2003 Actor Buddy Ebsen Dies at 95 People Retrieved June 18 2015 Amazon Buddy Ebsen Amazon Retrieved July 6 2017 Critchlow Donald T October 21 2013 When Hollywood Was Right How Movie Stars Studio Moguls and Big Business Remade American Politics ISBN 9781107650282 Buddy Ebsen Obituary The Water of Gorgeous Springs Riverboat November 7 1960 IMDb Retrieved February 21 2013 Further reading EditFrank Rusty E Tap The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories 1900 1955 New York W Morrow 1990 OCLC 430363872 Wise James Stars in Blue Movie Actors in America s Sea Services Annapolis MD Naval Institute Press 1997 ISBN 1557509379 OCLC 36824724External links EditBuddy Ebsen Papers at the University of Wyoming American Heritage Center Buddy Ebsen at IMDb Buddy Ebsen at the TCM Movie Database Buddy Ebsen at the Internet Broadway Database Buddy Ebsen at AllMovie The official Buddy Ebsen Virtual Museum The official Buddy Ebsen web site Fan tribute site AP obituary at Legacy com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Buddy Ebsen amp oldid 1140391549, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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