The Last Clampett Standing: Where Are The Beverly Hillbillies Show Cast Today (2025 Update)?

The Beverly Hillbillies remains one of the most iconic and successful television sitcoms in history, a cultural phenomenon that ran for nine seasons from 1962 to 1971. The fish-out-of-water tale of the Clampett family—Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro—striking oil and moving to a lavish Beverly Hills mansion captivated millions, setting ratings records that are almost unimaginable today.

As of December 2025, over six decades since the show first aired, the legacy of the Clampett family is kept alive by a single main cast member. The question of "what happened to the cast" is a story of incredible longevity, surprising post-show careers, and the enduring dream of a Hollywood star who has spent decades trying to build a real-life monument to his iconic character. This is the definitive, up-to-date look at the lives and final chapters of the beloved cast who brought the Clampetts to life.

The Principal Clampett Family: Biographical Profiles and Final Chapters

The core four actors formed the heart of the series, portraying the unassuming, down-home millionaires who brought their unique brand of Ozark culture to the elite world of Beverly Hills.

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• Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett)
  • Born: April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.
  • Character: Jed Clampett, the kind-hearted, level-headed patriarch who struck oil and became a millionaire.
  • Post-Show Career: After *The Beverly Hillbillies*, Ebsen enjoyed a second, highly successful run as the star of the detective series *Barnaby Jones* (1973–1980). He was also famously the original choice for the Tin Man in *The Wizard of Oz* but had to withdraw due to a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust makeup.
  • Died: July 6, 2003, at age 95, from respiratory failure.
• Irene Ryan (Granny Daisy Moses)
  • Born: October 17, 1902, in El Paso, Texas.
  • Character: Daisy May "Granny" Moses, the fiery, shotgun-toting matriarch and Jed's mother-in-law.
  • Post-Show Career: Following the show's cancellation, Ryan successfully transitioned to Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the musical *Pippin*.
  • Died: April 26, 1973, at age 70, from a stroke related to a brain tumor. She passed away shortly after her Broadway success.
• Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett)
  • Born: September 26, 1933, in Pride, Louisiana.
  • Character: Elly May Clampett, the beautiful, buxom tomboy who loved her "critters" and was often the subject of Mr. Drysdale's matchmaking attempts.
  • Post-Show Career: Douglas dedicated her later life to Christian ministry, singing Gospel music, and public speaking. She also worked in real estate.
  • Died: January 1, 2015, at age 82, from pancreatic cancer.
• Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine)
  • Born: December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California.
  • Character: Jethro Bodine, Jed's dim-witted but lovable nephew, known for his "six-grade education" and attempts at various careers, from movie star to secret agent.
  • Current Status: As of 2025, Max Baer Jr. is the last surviving regular cast member of *The Beverly Hillbillies*.

Max Baer Jr.: The Last Clampett Standing and His $50 Million Dream

The most current and fascinating story from the cast belongs to Max Baer Jr., the actor behind the iconic Jethro Bodine. Unlike his co-stars, Baer Jr. largely stepped away from acting after the show ended, choosing instead to focus on a prolific, if often challenging, career as a writer, producer, and director.

His post-show life has been defined by his business acumen and one decades-long, ambitious project: building a *Beverly Hillbillies*-themed casino and resort complex.

The Jethro Bodine Casino Project: A 2025 Update

For years, Max Baer Jr. has been working to capitalize on the intellectual property of his character, Jethro Bodine, with a massive entertainment venture. The vision is for a resort complex in Nevada—initially planned for Reno, then Carson City, and later Douglas County—that would include a casino, hotel, and an entire theme park based on the Clampett family’s journey. The project has been referred to as "Jethro’s Casino" or "Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino."

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While the project has faced numerous regulatory hurdles, financing challenges, and location changes over the past two decades, Baer Jr.'s persistence is legendary. The most recent updates confirm that he is still actively pursuing his dream, a testament to the optimistic, entrepreneurial spirit of his character. He secured the necessary licensing rights to use the show's imagery for his venture, proving his commitment to turning the Clampett legacy into a real-world tourist attraction.

His estimated net worth of $50 million, largely accumulated through savvy business deals and residuals, reflects his success as a producer and director of films like *Ode to Billy Joe* (1976), which was a major box office success.

The Bank and The Secretary: Supporting Cast Legacy

No discussion of the Clampetts is complete without the two pillars of their new, confusing world: the neurotic banker and his high-brow secretary. These characters provided much of the show’s contrast and humor.

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Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale)

Raymond Bailey played Milburn Drysdale, the greedy, high-strung president of the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills, whose sole focus was keeping the Clampett's $25 million oil fortune in his bank. His constant worrying and scheming, often to the detriment of his own health and family, was a central comedic element of the show. Bailey’s performance as the perpetually anxious banker is often cited as a masterclass in comedic timing.

Sadly, Bailey’s life after the show was marked by tragedy. He passed away on April 15, 1980, at the age of 75. It was later revealed that he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in his later years, a poignant detail for the man who played one of TV's most highly-strung characters.

Nancy Kulp (Miss Jane Hathaway)

Nancy Kulp portrayed Miss Jane Hathaway, Mr. Drysdale's erudite, long-suffering, and often exasperated executive secretary. Miss Jane was the intellectual foil to the Clampetts' backwoods wisdom, yet she harbored a secret fascination with their rustic lifestyle, often joining Granny on her adventures. Her unrequited love for Jethro Bodine was a long-running gag that added depth to her character.

Kulp had a notable career before and after *The Beverly Hillbillies*, including a run for Congress in Pennsylvania in 1984, which she ultimately lost. She died of cancer on February 3, 1991, at the age of 69.

The Enduring Popularity and Modern Relevance of the Sitcom

Despite being canceled in 1971 as part of CBS's infamous "rural purge"—a network effort to shed shows with older, rural-based audiences for more contemporary, urban fare—*The Beverly Hillbillies* never truly left the airwaves.

In 2025, the show’s popularity remains remarkably high. It continues to air in heavy syndication across various networks and is available on multiple streaming platforms, introducing the Clampett family's adventures to new generations. The original 1960s sitcom is now viewed as a piece of classic television history, a gentle satire on class, wealth, and the clash between simple country values and complex city life.

The enduring appeal of the show lies in its core theme: the Clampetts, despite their wealth, never lost their integrity, kindness, or innocence. They were the moral center of the series, always proving to be wealthier in character than the supposedly sophisticated people of Beverly Hills. This timeless message is why the show is still celebrated and why the story of Max Baer Jr.—the last living link to the Clampett family—continues to make headlines.