Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015) was an American actress and singer, best known for portraying Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971).
After her acting career, Douglas transitioned to become a real estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author, writing books for both children and adults.
RELATED: Sean Parker Net Worth: From Tech Maverick to Billionaire
Table of Contents
Donna Douglas Net Worth
Donna Douglas had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of her death. She moved to New York City in 1957 to pursue an entertainment career, starting as a model and appearing in commercials.
Her acting breakthrough came in the 1959 film “Career”, followed by roles in shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “The Beverly Hillbillies”. Best known for portraying Elly May Clampett (1962-1971), she also released several albums. Douglas retired in the early 1980s, focusing on family and charitable work.
Early life
Donna Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith on September 26, 1932, in the community of Pride, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The youngest of two children, she was the only daughter of Emmett Ratcliff Smith Sr., who worked for Standard Oil, and his wife, Elma (née Robinson), a former telephone operator.
Douglas attended St. Gerard Catholic High School, where she played softball and basketball and was part of the school’s first graduating class. In 1957, she was named Miss Baton Rouge and Miss New Orleans.
Career
After moving to New York City, Donna Douglas began modeling and appeared on shows like “The Perry Como Show” and “The Steve Allen Show.” She acted in films such as “Career” and “Li’l Abner”, and TV shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “Adam 12”.
Her big break came as Elly May Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1962–1971). Afterward, she became a gospel singer, motivational speaker, and author, publishing books like “Donna’s Critters and Kids” and “Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood”.
Personal life
Donna Douglas married Roland Bourgeois Jr. in 1951, and they had a son, Danny Bourgeois, before divorcing in 1954. She married Robert M. Leeds, director of The Beverly Hillbillies, in 1971, but they divorced in 1980.
In 1982, Douglas graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, with a focus on children’s ministry. She remained close friends with Buddy Ebsen for 32 years, deeply mourning his 2003 death, describing him as “like my own dad.” Douglas and Max Baer delivered his eulogy.
What was the cause of Donna Douglas’s death?
Donna Douglas passed away from pancreatic cancer at Baton Rouge General Hospital on January 1, 2015, at the age of 82. She was laid to rest in Bluff Creek Cemetery, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
Her niece by marriage, Charlene Smith, shared that Douglas returned to East Baton Rouge Parish around 2005. She was always joyful and maintained her beauty, always seen with makeup, never showing her age.
RELATED: Gwyneth Paltrow Net Worth: A Peek Into the Wealth of the Goop Founder
Conclusion
Donna Douglas’s financial legacy, represented by a net worth of half a million dollars, speaks of a career well-lived and a life that left a lasting impression on both the entertainment industry and her audience. She might have been best known as the darling of the Clampett family, but her real wealth was in the love she gave and received from those she touched through her performances and her personal life.
FAQs about Donna Douglas’s Net Worth
- Did Donna Douglas’s net worth reflect her success on “The Beverly Hillbillies”?
- While her net worth was modest, it was indicative of the financial structures of TV salaries at the time she was active.
- What contributed to Donna Douglas’s net worth?
- Besides acting, Douglas’s real estate license, gospel albums, public speaking, and book royalties all contributed to her net worth.
- Did Donna Douglas receive royalties from “The Beverly Hillbillies”?
- Details on whether she received continuing royalties are not publicly documented.
- Was Donna Douglas’s net worth affected by her typecasting in Hollywood?
- Being typecast may have limited her roles and potentially affected her earning capacity.
- How did Donna Douglas manage her finances post-Hollywood?
- Douglas diversified her career by becoming a gospel singer, author, and inspirational speaker, which likely helped manage her financial stability.
