Buddy Ebsen's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) The Beverly Hillbillies Jed Clampett Barnaby Jones Barnaby Jones Bus Stop Virge Bless… Northwest Passage Sergeant Hu…

Main Movie Roles 1993 - The Beverly Hillbillies 1985 - That's Dancing! 1961 - Breakfast at Tiffany's 1956 - Attack 1955 - Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier 1938 - My Lucky Star 1938 - The Girl of the Golden West 1937 - Broadway Melody of 1938 1936 - Born to Dance 1935 - Broadway Melody of 1936

BIOGRAPHY:

Buddy Ebsen began his career as a dancer in the late 1920s in a Broadway chorus. He later formed a vaudeville act with his sister Vilma Ebsen, which also appeared on Broadway. In 1935 he and his sister went to Hollywood, where they were signed for the first of MGM's Eleanor Powell (I) movies, Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935). While Vilma retired from stage and screen shortly after this, Buddy starred in two further MGM movies with Powell. Two of his dancing partners were Frances Langford in Born to Dance (1936) and Judy Garland (I) in Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937). They were a little bit taller than Shirley Temple, with whom he danced in Captain January (1936). MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer offered him an exclusive contract in 1938, but Ebsen turned it down. In spite of Mayer's warning that he would never get a job in Hollywood again, he was offered the role of the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Ebsen agreed to change roles with Ray Bolger, who was cast as the Tin Man. Ebsen subsequently became ill from the silver make-up, however, and was replaced by Jack Haley (I). He returned to the stage, making only a few pictures before he got a role in the Disney production of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955). After this, he became a straight actor, and later won more fame in his own hit series, "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962) and "Barnaby Jones" (1973).


TRIVIA:

• Originally cast as the Tin Man in _The Wizard of Oz (1939)_ (qv), Buddy was hospitalized as a result of inhaling aluminum powder used as part of his make-up. One chorus of "We're Off to See the Wizard" in the movie and soundtrack album retain Ebsen's original vocals as the Tin Man, recorded before he was forced to leave the production. Because of the prolonged hospitalization, he was replaced by 'Jack Haley (I)' (qv) (whose reformulated make-up used pre-mixed aluminium dust), and Ebsen's scenes were re-shot using Haley. Footage of Ebsen as the Tin Man still exists, and was included as an extra with the U.S. 50th anniversary video release of _The Wizard of Oz (1939)_ (qv).
• Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Jed Clampett on _"The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962)_ (qv) or as the lead role on _"Barnaby Jones" (1973)_ (qv).
• Almost all of his sisters lived long lives, just like Buddy himself. Both Helga and Norma died in the late 1990s. His sister, Vilma, died in 2007, just four years after her brother's own death.
• Was initiated into DeMolay at the John M. Cheney Chapter in Orlando Florida, in 1926. DeMolay is a Masonic youth organization for young men between 12 and 21. Was inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame on June 21st, 1996.
• Had four sisters - Helga, Norma, 'Vilma Ebsen' (qv) and Leslie. He was the middle child.
• In the last two years of his life, he recorded his first CD in which he sang some of his own songs.
• Son 'Dustin Ebsen' (qv) is married to 'Stan Freberg' (qv) 's daughter Donna.
• One of his last roles was a gag cameo in _The Beverly Hillbillies (1993)_ (qv) in which 'Jim Varney' (qv) played Jed. Ebsen showed up as Barnaby Jones.