'The Beverly Hillbillies': What Ever Happened To The Stars?

The Beverly Hillbillies remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of 1960s television. It ran for nine seasons before a sudden cancellation in 1971, and it's now been off the air for over 50 years. What ever happened to the cast of The Beverly Hillbillies? And are any of them still alive today? Here's a look at what became of the stars and who's still with us now.

Classic film and TV star Buddy Ebsen had one of his best-known roles on The Beverly Hillbillies. For all nine seasons of the series, he played "Jed," the widowed head of the "Clampett" family who relocates to California.

Ebsen lived a very long life and also starred in Barnaby Jones and Matt Houston in the years after The Beverly Hillbillies ended. He also cameoed as "Barnaby Jones" in the 1990s Beverly Hillbillies film.He passed away at age 95 in 2003.

Actress Irene Ryan played the beloved "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies. She'd been the mother of "Jed's" late wife, though Ryan and actor Buddy Ebsen only had an age difference of a few years off-screen!

Irene Ryan had only one other screen role after The Beverly Hillbillies, on TV's Love, American Style. She returned to stage acting in the 1970s and even earned a Tony Award nomination. Sadly, Ryan was also the first main cast member to pass away. In 1973, she died at age 70.

Hillbilly "Ella May Clampett" was played by actress Donna Douglas. She's the tough and beautiful daughter of "Jed" and his late wife. Douglas played the role for the full nine seasons and later returned for the 1981 reunion movie.

Save for a few minor appearances, the 1981 Beverly Hillbillies movie was Douglas's final major acting role. After her days as a screen star, Douglas moved on to a range of work including singing, writing, and inspirational speaking. She was the second longest-lived Beverly Hillbillies actor when she died of cancer in 2015 at the age of 82.

Actress Nancy Kulp played regular Beverly Hillbillies co-star "Jane Hathaway," who was the secretary of "Mr. Drysdale," the family banker. "Miss Jane" was close with the "Clampett" family and often had to get her boss out of trouble.

After The Beverly Hilllbillies, Kulp continued to have TV guest roles through the 1980s. In those years, she also ran for office and had a career in academia. Kulp passed on at age 69 in 1991.

Alongside "Jane" was "Mr. Drysdale," the money-obsessed banker for the "Clampetts" on The Beverly Hillbillies. He was played by the actor Raymond Bailey.