Gerard Catholic High School, and she was active in basketball and softball at the school. Above all, she was singing Gospel songs and serving as an inspirational loudspeaker. Douglas would be remembered for her exceptional role-playing in one of the greatest sitcoms ever. She was a well-known actress and singer who was best known for her role as Elly May Clampett on CBS' long-running sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies. Donna Douglas married and divorced twice, having a child by Following her acting career, Douglas became a real estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author of books for children and adults. She died on January 1, 2015 aged 82, from pancreatic cancer. US actress Donna Douglas, best known for playing the tomboyish Elly May Clampett in 1960s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, dies at the age of 82. . until 74. maybe cheyenne and ellie may took a few walks in the Douglas wrote and published a Christian children's book titled "Donna's Critters and Kids: Children's Stories with a Bible Touch," which included Bible stories featuring animals combined with a coloring book. 5 years later they divorced in 1954. She got married soon after high school, had a son, divorced . Donna Douglas was married for 25 years before she divorced her husband. I had no idea what Elvis was until he died. In her memoir, Elvis and Me, Presley discusses the significance of her role in Elviss life. Back then, the producers were in charge. When she married Elvis at the age of 21, she claimed in her memoir, Elvis and Me, that they did not have sex until that point. She not only recorded music, but she also became known as a singer. She attended Louisiana State University at Monroe and studied ballet and music. And you don't do that!". Donna Douglas, the Pride native who rose to television fame as the critter-loving, effervescent Elly May Clampett in the hit 1960s sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies," has died. In 2011, Donna Douglas described Ebsen as "a wonderful man, very much like my own father, a quiet, reserved, and caring . filed a $200 million lawsuit with Curt Wilson against, Elvis Presley: Sinatras songwriter asked the King not to sing My Way, Elvis death: Final 24 hours surrounded by people but he died ALONE, Freddie Mercury: Queen star's secret "hope for a cure", Elvis' terror when girlfriend Anita discovered Priscilla affair. "I believed with all my heart that if I did the best I could do, that God would take care of me. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. I have been told by someone close to Teddy Wilburn that he and Donna were close and at one time considered marriage. "Right outside of home and way out in the country." A baby boy came along, but the marriage split. She was featured in the films "Career," "Li'l Abner," and "Lover Come Back." They divorced in 1980. Although Douglas had been acting throughout the '50s, she was still relatively unknown when she was selected out of 500 actresses for the role. As a result, she was able to write some books for adults as well as children, and her involvement and hard work had increased Douglass net worth. In a 2003 interview with "Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict", Douglas summed up her views on playing the role of Elly: "Elly May was like a slice out of my life. After taking small roles in a few shows, she met the producer of "The Beverly Hillbillies," Paul Henning. She attended St. Gerard High School in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, and Redemptorist High School (now Redemptorist Upper School) in Baton Rouge, LouiDonna Douglas, where she graduated in 1951. Ben Vaughn grew up in the Philadelphia area on the New Jersey side of the river. photos, The couple had two children, Danny Bourgeois and Robert Bourgeois. She married the director of Hillbillies In 1971, the final year original episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies aired, Douglas married the show's director Robert M. Leeds. dating as Clint walker got a divorce around 1968 and was single That's what she would want. Born 1932 as Doris Ione Smith, American actress and singer Donna Douglas moved to New York City to pursue a career in show business and started as an illustration model for toothpaste advertisements. Douglas, along with Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer Jr., attended the memorial of Irene Ryan, when the actress passed away in 1973. On September 26, 1932, in Pride, Louisiana, Douglas was born to . Danny P. Bourgeois, her only child, was born on September 14, 1954. Shortly after, she was named Miss Baton. In 1983, he formed the Ben Vaughn Combo. The Beverly Hillbillies, Peters Secretary, and Frankie and Johnny are just a few of her best-known films. Donna was married twice (with Roland John Bourgeois, Jr. and Robert M. Leeds). I HAVE LOVED YOU SINCE THE FIRST TIME I SAW THE BEV. They got married a year later and had two children together. She took after the Elly May role like a hippo to water. Frankie and Johnny was an unusual choice for Elvis. quotes, She was born in the city on September 26, 1933, and died there on January 1, 2015. As portrayed by her niece, Smith, she was always happy and animal-loving, just like her character on The Beverly Hillbillies. It has also been reported that Douglas was attacked by a shark, though this is never proven. She became a real estate expert and doubled as a gospel singer. They did not have any. She was also a part of the Lover Come Back cast with Rock Hudson and Doris Day, and she starred alongside Elvis Presley and Frankie and Johnny. Donna returned to more mainstream Christianity in her later years. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. While the film was popular amongst audiences and did well at the box office, Douglas never advanced her big-screen career. She remained a close friend of Buddy Ebsen's for 32 years. John McElroy was a photographer and art dealer who met Douglas in 1987. Donna Douglas played Elly May Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies from 1971 to 1977. He was reading The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus the night before he died when he was killed. She married when she was 16 and gave birth to Danny when she was 21. After divorce, Donna launched her showbiz career as a model and won several beauty pageants. Donna Douglas, a Louisiana native, got married fresh out of high school and had one child. Help us build our profile of Donna Douglas! Short Bio Geller was also Elvis' 'spiritual adviser' and is credited with introducing the star to Eastern philosophies beyond his childhood Christianity. "I mean, I go everywhere and people come up to me and they talk to me, but it's normal. Donna Douglas was in an on-screen matchup with Elvis Presley in Frankie and Johnny (1966). Back (1961) and Career (1959), plus memorably starred opposite Elvis Presley in Frankie and Johnny (1966). At age 6, his uncle gave him a Duane Eddy record and forever changed his life. 6-8, "Haute Couture Hillbilly Style" The court, however, ruled in favor of the defendants. Donna was one of the biggest stars on TV in the 1960s playing Elly May Clampett. The band was together five years, releasing two albums and touring the U.S. several times. "Our show hit number one the second week. After divorce, Donna launched her showbiz career as a model and won several beauty pageants. On September 26, 1932, in Pride, Louisiana, Douglas was born to Earl Smith and Doris Ione Weems. Early Career: She moved to New York City and started out as a model for toothpaste ads. Douglas and her partner Curt Wilson from the Associated Artists Entertainment Inc claimed that they had developed a screenplay from the book. Henning would later offer her the Elly May Clampett role that defined her career. A Look inside the TV Icons Love Life, Max Baer Jr Had an Irreversible Loss in His Love Life & Furiously Defended His Famous Father's Image, Michael Douglas Wife Was Branded a Gold Digger & Affected by Awful Comments over His Cancer, Michael Douglas 'Adored' Stepmother of 66 Years & Honored Her Role in His Life When She Died at 102, Kirk Douglas Son Michael Once Refused to Call Kirk Dad & Was More 'Attached to His Stepfather, Kirk Douglas Was Married to a 'Terrible' Woman for 65 Years She Knew All about His Extramarital Affairs, Michael Douglas Divorce After 23 Years Cost Him $45M Ex Defended Herself 10 Years After Accusations of Greed, Kathleen Turner Was Told to Keep Her Hands off Michael Douglas by His Wife before Actress Wedding, Michael Douglas Told Catherine Zeta-Jones He Would Father Her Kids during 1st Meeting despite Their 25-Year Gap, Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Alex Borstein Is a Doting Mother to 2 Children Whom She Had While Married to Jackson Douglas, Donald Sutherland's Split with Jane Fonda 'Eviscerated' Him He Later Fell for Wife of 49 Years, Y&Rs Tracey E Bregman Finds Dating Interesting After 23-Year Marriage & Welcoming 2 Sons, Melody Thomas Scott Was Abandoned by Mom & Raised by 'Evil' Grandma She Later Left Her Dying Granny's Home. Despite their friendly relationship, it is unknown whether Elvis enjoyed Eastwoods films. her first husband, Roland John Bourgeois, Jr. Elvis married and On the night he died, he was readingThe Scientific Search forthe Face of Jesusby Frank O Adams in his bathroom. In search of more modeling opportunities, the young Donna headed to New York, where she landed acting gigs. And the other thing was that mom and daddy trusted me enough to let me go and was gonna help me with my little boy, because he was gonna stay. Donna was born September 26, 1933 in Pride, Louisiana. In addition, she shares her thoughts on Elviss death and how she has coped with raising Lisa Marie without the assistance of a parent. They may be mans best friend, but man has also changed them beyond all recognition, these incredible pictures of dog breeds reveal. 8-9, "Donna Douglas Makes Good in Japan" TV Guide (US) March 9 1963, pg. She played softball and basketball at St. Gerard High School, which is now Redemptorist High. The lawsuit claimed that the developed screenplay had been submitted to Disney, Goldberg, and Midler three times during 1987 and 1988. Who is Donna Douglas dating? During the filming of The Beverly Hillbillies, Douglas and Irene Ryan would throw a huge Christmas party for the cast and their families. Heh wondering or should that be wounding? She was best known to the general public in 1962 for her role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies. She was awarded the "Miss By-line" crown and wore it on The Ed Sullivan Show. 9 years later they divorced on 30th Sep 1980. Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, specialising in children's ministry. PLEASE IF YOU EVER COME BACK TO SPARTANBURG LET ME KNOW. The Beverly Hillbillies: Douglas's big break came when she was cast as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971. She married Robert M. Leeds, her director on "The Beverly Hillbillies," in 1971. She was 81. However, the couple soon divorced in 1954. She got married at 17 years old. Her zodiac sign is Libra. Donna Douglas is an American actress who has a net worth of $500 thousand dollars. Donna's star-power was selling million-dollar homes. She loves animals. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below. She died from cancer on January 1, 2015, at the age of 82, after a long battle with the disease. Donna Douglas died on January 24th, 2019 at the age of 87. It's no secret that Donna Douglas is one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. She has only one child, Danny P. Bourgeois, who was born on September 14, 1954. Her notable movies include Lover Come Back and Frankie and Johnny. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. "Even though Elvis respected Donna, he only regarded her in a professional capacity and held her in high esteem. Religion and spirituality remained a part of Elvis life until the very end. Robert Leeds and Donna Douglas were married for 9 years. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. They were probably funny but rebellious. Donna Douglas moved to New York after her marriage and began working as a model, gaining attention when she appeared on various network television variety shows hosted by Perry Como, Steve Allen, and Ed Sullivan. Ms. Douglas, why won`t you release Roland Bourgeois from your claim that your son is his, when blood tests have proven that he is not? She starred with Elvis in the movie, Frankie and Johnny, but as producers for upcoming movies asked her to show more skin and play more provocative roles, she turned down movies. Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 January 1, 2015) was an American actress and singer, known for her role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (19621971). Even if she had been a victim of such violence, she was never one. But, as with any abilities, she may open a door for you, but you have to have substance or integrity to advance you through that door.". Donna Douglas was an accomplished actress who made her mark in the show business. Although Douglas was an active actress in the 1960s, she was still relatively unknown when selected from among 500 young actresses to work on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971). Her remarkable looks didnt go unnoticed and in 1957, Douglas was named Miss New Orleans. The film is a series of misunderstandings and mishaps, shoe-horned in between musical numbers that, unusually, stay away from Elvis' core sound. that said Clint walker had given Donna Douglass a ring. It was imposs Born Estelle Eggleston in 1938 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, American film, television, and stage actress Stella Stevens began her acting care To make matters worse, in March 1969, Brian Jones borrowed the bands Jaguar to go shopping. She started as a model and won a couple of beauty pageants, too. The two actors met while filming the 1957 film Loving You and were rumored to have been dating. Despite Elvis regard for Donna, he maintained a professional relationship with her and held her in high regard. She also appeared in the series The Twilight Zone and the movie Frankie and Johnny (1966), alongside Elvis Presley.. Douglas was born in Pride, Louisiana. She received more fan mail and photos than any other Hillbillies cast member every day. At lunch and at breaks, Elvis and Donna would get into some heavy spiritual conversations. 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