Donna Douglas, born Doris Ione Smith on September 26, 1932, in Pride, Louisiana, was an American actress and singer who achieved widespread fame for her role as Elly May Clampett in the iconic television series The Beverly Hillbillies. With a career spanning several decades, Douglas became a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. At the time of her death on January 1, 2015, from pancreatic cancer, her net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, a reflection of her work in television, music, and literary endeavors.
Personal Info
- Full Name: Doris Ione Smith
- Date of Birth: September 26, 1932
- Place of Birth: Pride, Louisiana, U.S.
- Date of Death: January 1, 2015 (age 82)
- Occupation: Actress, singer, author
- Famous for: Role as Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies
- Net Worth: $500,000 at the time of her death
- Marriages: Roland Bourgeois Jr. (m. 1949, div. 1954), Robert M. Leeds (m. 1971, div. 1980)
- Children: One son from her first marriage
- Other Ventures: Gospel singer, real estate agent, author
- Notable Legal Cases: Lawsuits against Disney and Mattel
- Cause of Death: Pancreatic cancer
Early Life and Beginnings in Entertainment
Born to Emmet Ratcliff Smith and Elma Robinson, Donna grew up as the younger of two children in rural Louisiana. She attended St. Gerard Catholic School, where she excelled in sports like softball and basketball. Her natural beauty and charm caught attention early on, leading her to be named Miss Baton Rouge and later Miss New Orleans in 1957.
In the late 1950s, Donna decided to move to New York City in pursuit of an entertainment career. Initially, she found work as a model, appearing in commercials and print ads. Her first major acting role came in 1959 with the film Career, followed by appearances in several popular television shows like The Twilight Zone, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and Adam-12.
The Beverly Hillbillies: The Breakthrough Role
Douglas’s career-defining moment came when she was cast as Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies, a role that she would portray from 1962 to 1971. Elly May, the sweet and naive country girl, became an instant fan favorite. Douglas was selected for the part out of 500 actresses, and the show became one of the most successful sitcoms of its time. During its first two years, The Beverly Hillbillies ranked as the #1 show in the United States, catapulting Douglas to national stardom.
Though she became synonymous with Elly May, Douglas was careful to maintain that her personal values aligned with her character. She once said, \”Elly May was like a slice out of my life,\” emphasizing the connection she felt to the role.
Music Career and Other Ventures
In addition to her acting work, Donna was a talented singer. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she released several country and gospel albums. After The Beverly Hillbillies ended, she pursued a career in gospel music, touring across the United States, performing at churches, youth groups, and schools.
Douglas also published several books, including Donna’s Critters and Kids: Children’s Stories with a Bible Touch, combining biblical teachings with animal stories for children. In 2013, she released Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood, a cookbook that featured Southern recipes contributed by Hollywood stars like Debbie Reynolds and Valerie Harper.
Legal Battles and Controversies
Douglas faced a few high-profile legal disputes in her later years. In 1993, she filed a lawsuit against Disney, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, and the production companies involved in the movie Sister Act. Donna claimed the film was based on a screenplay she and her partner had developed from the book A Nun in the Closet. Although she turned down a $1 million settlement offer, the case was ultimately ruled in Disney’s favor.
In 2011, Douglas sued Mattel over the use of her likeness in the production of a Barbie doll modeled after her character Elly May. The case was settled out of court, and though the details were confidential, both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
Personal Life and Final Years
Donna Douglas’s personal life was marked by two marriages. Her first was to Roland Bourgeois Jr. in 1949, with whom she had one son before they divorced in 1954. She later married Robert M. Leeds, the director of The Beverly Hillbillies, in 1971, but their marriage ended in 1980.
In her later years, Donna devoted herself to charitable work, focusing on children’s causes throughout the southern United States. She remained a beloved figure in the world of classic television, frequently appearing at fan conventions and reunion events.
Sadly, on January 1, 2015, Donna passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after battling pancreatic cancer. She was 82 years old. While her net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be $500,000, her legacy as a television icon and her contributions to gospel music and charity remain invaluable.
