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Buddy Ebsen
Age: 95 (passed away Jul. 6th, 2003)
Height: 6' 3"
Birth Place: Belleville, Illinois, USA
Born: Apr. 2nd, 1908
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Buddy Ebsen's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
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:
- Director 'Norman Foster (I)' (qv) first recommended Ebsen to 'Walt Disney' (qv) to play Davy Crockett, and Disney was "half sold" on the idea. Then Disney saw 'Fess Parker (I)' (qv) in the sci-fi film _Them! (1954)_ (qv) and cast the strapping actor as the famed frontiersman. Ebsen was crestfallen because he knew how big the picture would be. The next day the studio signed Ebsen on as Crockett's weatherbeaten sidekick, Georgie Russel. The part helped to turn his career around and arguably played a part in Ebsen's getting the role of the equally equally grizzled and popular Jed Clampett.
- Taught 'Judy Garland (I)' (qv) the shim-sham shimmy while they were at MGM.
- His film career was ruined by 'Louis B. Mayer' (qv) when Ebsen refused to sign an MGM contract that would "own" him to the studio.
- His first wife, Ruth, was originally 'Walter Winchell' (qv)'s secretary/Girl Friday.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Son 'Dustin Ebsen' (qv) is married to 'Stan Freberg' (qv) 's daughter Donna.
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