The Last Clampett Standing: What Happened To The Beverly Hillbillies Cast And Who Is Still Alive In 2025?

The Beverly Hillbillies remains one of the most iconic and beloved American sitcoms, a fish-out-of-water comedy that captivated millions from 1962 to 1971. The tale of the Clampett family—Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro—striking it rich with "black gold" and moving to a lavish Beverly Hills mansion is a timeless piece of television history.

As of late 2024, more than 60 years after the show first aired, the principal cast has largely passed into television legend, but their legacies continue to be celebrated. Only one major star from the original main cast remains, and his post-show career has been just as fascinating and ambitious as his character, Jethro Bodine, ever dreamed of. This is a look at the lives, careers, and final days of the legendary Beverly Hillbillies cast members.

The Complete Biography and Final Days of the Main Clampett Cast

The core cast members created characters that became cultural touchstones, but their real lives were filled with diverse careers, from Broadway to dramatic television. Here is a look at the principal actors who brought the Clampett family and their long-suffering banker to life.

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• Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett)
  • Born: April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.
  • Died: July 6, 2003, at age 95, in Torrance, California.
  • Career Highlights: Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man in *The Wizard of Oz* but had to leave due to a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust makeup. After *The Beverly Hillbillies*, he starred as the title character in the hit detective series *Barnaby Jones* (1973–1980), cementing his status as a television icon.
  • Final Days: Ebsen continued to act and write well into his 90s, publishing a novel and a children's book. He passed away from respiratory failure.
• Irene Ryan (Daisy Moses, or “Granny”)
  • Born: October 17, 1902, in El Paso, Texas.
  • Died: April 26, 1973, at age 70, in Santa Monica, California.
  • Career Highlights: Ryan was a veteran of vaudeville and radio before her iconic role as Granny. In a surprising career turn, immediately after *The Beverly Hillbillies* ended, she returned to Broadway and earned a 1973 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Berthe in the original production of *Pippin*.
  • Final Days: She suffered a stroke while performing in *Pippin* on Broadway and passed away shortly after the show closed. Her Tony nomination was a final, powerful testament to her versatility.
• Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett)
  • Born: September 26, 1932, in Pride, Louisiana.
  • Died: January 1, 2015, at age 82, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • Career Highlights: Prior to *The Beverly Hillbillies*, Douglas was Miss New Orleans and appeared in a pivotal role in the film *Frankie and Johnny* with Elvis Presley. She was fiercely protective of her character's image, ensuring Elly May was always sweet and never suggestive.
  • Final Days: Douglas was a devout Christian, gospel singer, and children's book author. Her real-life love for animals mirrored her character's affection for her "critters," and she remained a beloved figure in her home state of Louisiana until her death from pancreatic cancer.
• Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine)
  • Born: December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California.
  • Status: The last surviving principal cast member.
  • Career Highlights: After the show, Baer Jr. turned to directing and producing, notably writing, directing, and producing the cult classic film *Macon County Line* (1974), which was a massive box office success for an independent film at the time.
  • Current Status (2025): Baer Jr. is a successful businessman who has spent decades trying to capitalize on the *Beverly Hillbillies* brand, a story detailed further below.
• Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale)
  • Born: May 6, 1904, in San Francisco, California.
  • Died: April 15, 1980, at age 75, in Irvine, California.
  • Career Highlights: Bailey was a prolific character actor with over 100 film and television credits before becoming the perpetually stressed-out banker, Milburn Drysdale. His character's obsession with the Clampett family's massive fortune was a central comedic plot point.
  • Final Days: Bailey retired from acting after *The Beverly Hillbillies* ended and passed away from a heart attack.

The Last Surviving Star: Max Baer Jr.'s Quest for Jethro’s Casino

The most current and fascinating chapter in the Beverly Hillbillies cast legacy belongs entirely to Max Baer Jr., the man who played the lovable, dim-witted Jethro Bodine. Unlike his co-stars who continued in acting, Baer Jr. transitioned almost entirely into the business side of Hollywood and beyond. His decades-long mission has been to leverage the enduring popularity of the Clampett family’s wealth.

Baer Jr. is the only major cast member to successfully secure and maintain the licensing rights to the Jethro Bodine character, which he has attempted to parlay into a massive entertainment complex. His vision, which has been in development for many years, is to build a themed resort and casino in Nevada.

The project, often referred to as Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino, is a testament to Baer Jr.'s singular focus on the franchise's commercial potential. While the project has faced numerous legal and regulatory hurdles over the years, including disputes over signage and construction permits, his determination has not wavered.

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As of late 2024, the property remains a work in progress, but the sheer ambition of the project—a 40,000-square-foot gaming area and a hotel themed around the Clampett’s "cement pond" and "fancy mansion"—is a remarkable post-show legacy for the last surviving star. It is a real-life embodiment of Jethro’s wildest, most ambitious schemes.

The Enduring Legacy: From Black Gold to Topical Authority

The success of *The Beverly Hillbillies* was staggering, becoming one of the most-watched television shows in history. Its cultural impact goes far beyond simple ratings, creating a topical legacy that still resonates today. The show’s premise—a poor, rural family suddenly becoming incredibly wealthy—allowed it to explore themes of class, wealth disparity, and the clash between simple country values and sophisticated city life.

The Clampett Family Net Worth: A Fictional Fortune

The entire premise of the show revolves around the staggering Clampett family net worth, which was derived from Jed striking oil—the "black gold"—on his land. The estimated value of their fortune was initially $25 million, but by the end of the series, this number had ballooned. The show’s writers eventually settled on a fortune of around $100 million, a truly astronomical sum for the 1960s. The constant effort by banker Milburn Drysdale to protect this massive deposit of wealth was the engine of the show's comedy.

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Post-Hillbillies Careers That Defined an Era

While Max Baer Jr. chose the path of the entrepreneur, his co-stars also left indelible marks on television history:

• Buddy Ebsen’s Second Act: Ebsen’s role as Jed Clampett could have been the peak of his career, but he achieved a rare feat by starring in a second successful, long-running series, *Barnaby Jones*. This detective show, which ran for eight seasons, proved Ebsen’s range and longevity, making him one of the few actors to anchor two massive hits in different genres.
• Irene Ryan’s Broadway Triumph: Granny’s actress, Irene Ryan, showed her incredible versatility by earning a Tony Award nomination for a complex Broadway musical, *Pippin*. This was a dramatic departure from the slapstick comedy of Granny, showcasing her roots as a serious stage performer.
• Donna Douglas’s Critters: Donna Douglas’s portrayal of Elly May, the sweet, animal-loving daughter, was so convincing that in real life, she was an ardent animal rights advocate. Her character’s gentle handling of her "critters" became a hallmark of the show and a core part of her public persona and legacy.

The Beverly Hillbillies cast created a slice of Americana that remains a touchstone for classic television. While only Jethro—Max Baer Jr.—remains to carry the torch, the combined careers and legacies of Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Mr. Drysdale ensure that the Clampetts will continue to be remembered for generations to come.