Who’s Still Alive From ‘The Beverly Hillbillies?’

Lauren Novak February 16, 7:00 am

THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, l-r: Max Baer, Irene Ryan, Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, 1962-71. — Everett Collection

When The Beverly Hillbillies premiered in 1962, it quickly became one of the most popular sitcoms on television. The show followed the Clampett family, who struck oil in the Ozarks and relocated to the lavish surroundings of Beverly Hills. The series ran for nine seasons and produced 274 episodes (some in black and white and some in color) before concluding in 1971. Despite criticism from television reviewers, the show maintained high ratings and left a lasting impact on pop culture.

A major factor in the show’s success was its cast. The main cast starred Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett – died at age 95 on July 6, 2003, from complications from pneumonia), Irene Ryan (Granny – died at age 70 on April 16, 1973, from heart disease), Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett – died on January 1, 2015, at age 81 from pancreatic cancer), Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine – age 87), Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale – died at age 75 on April 15, 1980, from a heart attack) and Nancy Kulp (Jane Hathaway – died at age 69 on February 3, 1991, from cancer).

Max Baer Jr. is the only surviving member of The Beverly Hillbillies

Everett Collection

Baer Jr. is the son of Max Baer, a legendary boxer who once held the heavyweight championship. His father’s fame sometimes made life difficult for him, as he often had to defend himself against bullies. Encouraged by his father to fight back, he developed a reputation for his willingness to stand his ground. Even today, Baer Jr. is known for being fiercely protective of his father’s legacy and has spoken out against depictions of him in films like Cinderella Man.

Though having a famous father may have opened doors in Hollywood, Baer Jr. proved his comedic chops by portraying Jethro with an endearing mix of cluelessness and ambition. His character’s constant attempts to pursue wildly different careers, from secretarial work to brain surgery, provided some of the show’s most memorable moments. Playing a lovable goofball for nearly a decade, however, made it difficult for him to land serious roles afterward.

ODE TO BILLY JOE, director Max Baer Jr., on set, 1976

Everett Collection

After The Beverly Hillbillies ended, Baer Jr. made guest appearances on several television shows, including Love, American Style, Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote. He also acted in a few films, such as The Wild McCullochs and Hometown U.S.A. Though he continued working in entertainment, he never found a role as iconic as Jethro, which ultimately led him to shift his focus to producing.

In 1974, he co-created Macon County Line, a low-budget thriller that became an unexpected hit. The film, in which he also starred as a vengeful sheriff, earned an impressive 19 million dollars despite its modest 225,000-dollar budget. This success encouraged him to continue producing, leading to the 1976 adaptation of Bobbie Gentry’s song Ode to Billie Joe, which grossed $27 million on a $1.1 million budget.

Everett Collection; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Despite these achievements, Baer Jr. eventually stepped away from Hollywood and pursued other business ventures. He attempted to develop a Beverly Hillbillies-themed casino in Nevada, though the project led to legal battles rather than success. Now 87 years old, he appears to be enjoying a quieter life, spending time golfing and sharing stories about his past.