Buddy Ebsen Net Worth

#Fact1Bore a slight resemblance and sounded like Peter Graves.2Had often fallen asleep in his car and fallen asleep standing up, on the set of Barnaby Jones (1973).3He was most widely known to be a social butterfly.4Had commuted from his Newport Beach house to Los Angeles, every weekend for 8 1/2 seasons, while starring in Barnaby Jones (1973).5His daughter, Bonnie Ebsen, had guest-starred on Barnaby Jones (1973).6Had known Max Baer Jr.'s family, when Max was just a little boy. Years later, all grown up, Baer Jr. would co-star opposite Ebsen in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).7He was known to be a very busy actor.8Had taught his The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) co-star, Max Baer Jr., how to sail, when sailing wasn't his cup of tea.9Had many times sailed with James Arness.10On both of his shows, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) and Barnaby Jones (1973), his characters danced in a few episodes, in real-life, Ebsen was also a dancer.11Had a photographic memory. According to his Barnaby Jones (1973) co-star, Lee Meriwether, she said in an interview, Ebsen had a wonderful memory and would put his lines down immediately.12According to his The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) co-star, Donna Douglas, she said in an interview, that she reminded Ebsen of her late father. She also said in the same interview, most of her scenes, on that show were with Ebsen.13His good friend Ruth Warrick, and his former Barnaby Jones (1973) co-star, Lee Meriwether, both starred in the long-running daytime soap opera, All My Children (1970), from 1996 to 1998.14Ebsen had exchanged guitar lessons, with Fess Parker, who took dancing lessons.15Began his second show Barnaby Jones (1973) at age 64.16Said in an interview that his favorite show was The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).17Began writing songs in high school.18In 1962, Ebsen was one of the actors to have joined the ranks of other sitcom male lead stars, such as John Forsythe, Andy Griffith, Danny Thomas, Alan Young, Robert Young, Fred MacMurray and Ernest Borgnine (whose sitcom McHale's Navy (1962), debuted just 2 weeks after Ebsen's) to star in his own popular sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).19Behind Mickey Rooney and Bob Hope, Ebsen was the third actor ever to have an extended acting career, longer than anybody else in the business.20Was the producers first choice for the lead role of Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955), but lost the role to fellow actor Fess Parker. Ebsen played Parker's sidekick in the series.21Before he was a successful actor, in the 1930s, he formed a vaudeville act with his sister, Vilma Ebsen, performing throughout the country.22He and his third wife, Dorothy Knott, were stopped by a police officer. Then he stuck his head in the window, looked at Ebsen and said, 'Georgie Russell!' That was the only time that a cop has let either him and his wife off, by not giving them a ticket.23Longtime friends of Ruth Warrick, Michael Landon, James Arness and Cameron Mitchell.24When Ebsen was in his early 20s, he traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he participated in a lot of plays: 'Whoopee,' 'The Male Animal,' and 'Apple of His Eye.'.25Ebsen had a unique Disney connection. It was Disney that hired him in 1955 for the Davy Crockett series that ended an almost 20 year absence from leading movie roles after he rejected MGM's 1938 contract offer. Disney, however, appears to have always been a "good luck" charm for Ebsen. In his first film, Broadway Melody of 1936, in his first scene he is wearing a Mickey Mouse sweater. Ebsen appeared just a few years later in the followup film, Broadway Melody of 1938. In the second scene in which he appears, he is wearing a Donald Duck sweater/shirt.26Between The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) and Barnaby Jones (1973), he had roles on television for 18 consecutive seasons.27Was one of the two actors to appear in every episode of Barnaby Jones (1973).28Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide 8 times.29Buddy Ebsen died on July 6, 2003. Just 3 weeks after his death, his longtime best friend, comedian Bob Hope, passed away.30Was a spokesperson for the United Way in the late 1960s-early 1970s.31Had purchased the 4,398 square ft. house in Palos Verdes Estates, California, in, late 1985, and lived there until his death. The house was sold in 2007.32Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.33He was set to make a cameo appearance on Son of the Beach (2000), but was forced to cancel it due to failing health.34Ebsen became embroiled in a contract dispute with MGM that left him idle for long periods.35Published his first novel: "Kelly's Quest." He is writing a novel based on his Barnaby Jones character. [April 2001]36Was a Boy Scout.37Had began writing since high school.38Celebrated his 84th birthday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California in 1992. Among the guests were Donna Douglas, Max Baer Jr., his widow, Dorothy Knott, Leigh Taylor-Young, Barbara Eden, Fess Parker, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Jacklyn Zeman, Kin Shriner, Anthony Geary, Lee Horsley, Steve Allen, Pierce Brosnan, Milton Berle, Norm Crosby, Ray Conniff, Terry Moore, Ruth Warrick, Penny Singleton Joseph Cotten, Lew Ayres, Ann Rutherford, Virginia Mayo, Yvonne De Carlo, Jane Powell and Tony Martin.39Was good friends with Eddie Albert, where the two began their lifelong friendship from 1956 until Ebsen's own death in 2003. He worked with him on Attack (1956) and The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).40Survived by 7 children and 2 nephews.41Despite being an average student at Orlando High School, he was a member of the swimming team, which he participated all 4 years, who became a Florida State Champion. He also played football his senior year.42Ebsen's family moved to Palm Beach, Florida, in 1919, at age 11, to help his mother's aggravated sickness.43Before he was a successful actor, he did everything from being a lifeguard to being a waiter.44Before his death, both of his ex-The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) co-stars, Donna Douglas and Max Baer Jr., went to visit him in the hospital, during his final days.45His birthplace, Belleville, Illinois, is located 16 miles East of St. Louis, Missouri.46Had been an entertainer since the age of 20.47Longtime best friend Fess Parker attended his funeral.48On Barnaby Jones (1973), he played a private eye detective, on Matt Houston (1982), he also played a private eye detective.49Was a longtime friend of Dick Van Dyke, who hosted his memorial service on 30 August 2003.50Began his television series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) at age 54.51Was one of the three actors who appeared in every episode of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).52Was approached by Paul Henning for his first choice as the lead role of Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).53Worked with William Conrad in episodes of both shows: Barnaby Jones (1973), which Conrad appeared on the first episode, and another afterwards and Cannon (1971).54Was Quinn Martin's first choice for the lead role of Barnaby Jones (1973), he accepted it, which was his comeback to television, after a 2 year absence.55Dancing ran in his family.56Long lives ran in his family.57His second ex-wife, Nancy Wolcott McKeown, died on May 14, 2008, just 1 day before her 90th birthday.58German was his first language.59Met Nancy Wolcott, when he was serving as a Coast Guard in World War II. The two would remain married, for 40 years, until their divorce in 1985.60Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.61After his final guest-starring role on King of the Hill (1997), he retired from acting at age 91.62Before he was a successful actor, he worked at a soda fountain shop.63When he turned to acting, he and the rest of his family were financially broke.64Began his contract career at MGM in 1935.65Met Fess Parker, when they were both under contract at Disney, where the two began a lifelong friendship, from 1954 until Ebsen's own death in 2003. He was 16 years Parker's senior.66On The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), his character always wore a tattered hat, a tan coat, blue jeans and a fake mustache, in real-life, he wore none of those, ex. his blue jeans.67Got the nickname 'Buddy' from his aunt, so Christian changed his name to Buddy Ebsen.68Buddy Ebsen died on July 6, 2003. Just three months before his death, he celebrated his 95th birthday, on April 2.69Didn't start acting until he was age 28.70Moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1935.71Dropped out of college, to pursue showbiz.72Acting mentor and friends of Donna Douglas, Max Baer Jr. and Lee Meriwether.73Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.74When he left Florida to arrive in New York City in 1928, he had $26.75 in his pocket. He and Vilma both formed the act, while attending supper clubs. In Vaudeville, they were known as "The Baby Astaires".75Future game show host Bob Barker, talk show host Jerry Springer and comedians Jim Varney, Drew Carey and Graham Elwood, all said Ebsen was their childhood television hero.76While filming Barnaby Jones (1973), he was hospitalized with pains in his legs. [2 July 1976].77Graduated from Orlando High School in Orlando, Florida, in 1926.78Remained friends with Donna Douglas and Max Baer Jr. during and after The Beverly Hillbillies (1962).79Remained friends with Lee Meriwether during and after Barnaby Jones (1973).80Of Danish and Latvian descent.81At age 12, his family moved to Orlando, Florida, where Ebsen was raised.82Before he was a successful actor, he was a successful singer and dancer.83Was very good friends with: Fess Parker, Raymond Bailey, Irene Ryan, Eddie Albert, Frank Cady, Bea Benaderet, Cameron Mitchell, Broderick Crawford, Robert Conrad, Larry Manetti, Shirley Temple, Jane Withers, Eleanor Powell, Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, John Wayne, James Arness, Dick Van Dyke, William Shatner, Ray Bolger, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Kenneth Tobey, Donald O'Connor, Florence Rice, Vilma Ebsen, Fred Astaire, Jonathan Winters, Una Merkel, Paul Henning, Linda Henning, Keith Larsen, John Carter, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Fred MacMurray, Tony Martin, Ruth Warrick, Jane Wyman, Beverly Garland, Mickey Rooney, Ruta Lee, Clint Eastwood, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Charles Lane and Patricia Neal.84He had 15 hobbies over his long life: dancing, playing guitar, coin collecting, swimming, golfing, riding horses, sailing, painting, building sailboats, spending time with his family, politics, gardening, fishing, traveling and singing.85His series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) was canceled at the end of the ninth season, because of the infamous rural purge that axed all shows in 1971.86His series Barnaby Jones (1973) was canceled at the end of the eighth season, because Buddy had decided to retire from acting.87After he died, his family sent Shirley Temple an invitation to his memorial, but she declined.88Co-founder of the Beverly Hills Coin Club with a young, unknown actor, Chris Aable.89His former Barnaby Jones (1973) co-star, Lee Meriwether, said he reminded her a lot of Ray MacDonnell, with whom she had a wonderful relationship on All My Children (1970).90Almost all of his sisters lived long lives, just like Buddy himself. Helga died in 1994, at the age of 92 and Norma died in 1996, also at the age of 92. His sister, Vilma, died in 2007, just four years after her brother's own death.91Son Dustin Ebsen is married to Stan Freberg 's daughter Donna.92Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 161-163. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.93Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) or as the lead role on Barnaby Jones (1973).94He and his The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) co-star, Donna Douglas, had a lot in common. Like Buddy, she too is a successful singer (of gospel), is also a character actress, and is also a Republican.95Owned a 36-acre ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains.96He served in the Coast Guard during World War II as the executive officer on the Pocatello, a submarine chaser in the North Pacific.97Fathered two daughters, Elizabeth Ebsen and Alix Ebsen, with his first wife, Ruth. Had five additional children (Susannah, Cathy, Bonnie Ebsen, Kiersten Kiki Ebsen, and Dustin Ebsen) with his second wife, Nancy.98He and sister Vilma Ebsen performed in vaudeville doing variations on the same theme -- with Vilma playing a dancing instructor who teaches the seemingly uncoordinated country doofas Buddy how to dance. A vaudeville showstopper in such shows as "Whoopee!", "Flying Colors" and "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1934", they were known for a time as "The Baby Astaires".99Had four sisters - Helga, Norma, Vilma Ebsen and Leslie. He was the middle child.100Set up the Ebsen School of Dance in Pacific Palisades, California. When Buddy was young, his father, a physical fitness advocate, taught dance in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is where Buddy and younger sister Vilma Ebsen learned their craft and they appeared in local and school productions.101In the last two years of his life, he recorded his first CD in which he sang some of his own songs.102Taught Judy Garland the shim-sham shimmy while they were at MGM.103Appeared in three musical film extravaganzas starring tap great Eleanor Powell.104Was initiated into DeMolay at the John M. Cheney Chapter in Orlando Florida, in 1926. DeMolay is a Masonic youth organization for young men between 12 and 21. Was inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame on June 21, 1996.105Wrote a half dozen plays, five of which were produced, including a farce called Honest John in 1948 and Champagne General in 1973, a Civil War story. Also a part-time songwriter, he became a newly-published author of a romantic novel at the age of 93, titled Kelly's Quest.106One of his last roles was a gag cameo in The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) in which Jim Varney played Jed Clampett. Ebsen showed up as Barnaby Jones.107His father owned a dance studio, and when Ebsen was a young boy insisted that he take dance lessons.108Director Norman Foster first recommended Ebsen to Walt Disney to play Davy Crockett, and Disney was "half sold" on the idea. Then Disney saw Fess Parker in the sci-fi film Them! (1954) and cast the strapping actor as the famed frontiersman. Ebsen was crestfallen because he knew how big the picture would be. The next day the studio signed Ebsen on as Crockett's weatherbeaten sidekick, Georgie Russel. The part helped to turn his career around and arguably played a part in Ebsen's getting the role of the equally grizzled and popular Jed Clampett.109Initially wanted to become a doctor. He took premed courses at Rollins College and the University of Florida, but his mother persuaded him into show business.110In 1938, MGM offered him a seven-year contract, starting at $2,000 a week but requiring him to give the studio absolute control over his career. He rejected it. MGM blackballed him and his film career went into eclipse for nearly 20 years, until Walt Disney hired him to play Georgie Russel, Davy Crockett's sidekick, in Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955).111After seeing Ebsen in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), the creator of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) wanted him to play family patriarch Jed Clampett. At the time, Ebsen was thinking of retiring, but the producers sent him a copy of the script, and he changed his mind.112An outspoken Republican, he helped defeat Nancy Kulp, his co-star in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), in her 1984 Democratic congressional bid in Pennsylvania. Ebsen made radio ads for her opponent accusing Kulp of being "too liberal" and not good for the district. The two did not speak for years after the incident, but eventually settled their differences.113Originally cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Buddy was hospitalized as a result of inhaling aluminum powder used as part of his make-up. One chorus of "We're Off to See the Wizard" in the movie and soundtrack album retain Ebsen's original vocals as the Tin Man, recorded before he was forced to leave the production. Because of the prolonged hospitalization, he was replaced by Jack Haley (whose reformulated make-up used pre-mixed aluminium dust), and Ebsen's scenes were re-shot using Haley. Footage of Ebsen as the Tin Man still exists, and was included as an extra with the U.S. 50th anniversary video release of The Wizard of Oz (1939).114Became a bestselling author at age 93. [2001]115Had surgery on June 10, 1998 to repair an aortic valve in his heart.116Attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida shortly before starting his film career.117In the 1930s, Disney animators filmed him dancing in front of a grid to "choreograph" Wayne Allwine's dance steps for the Silly Symphony cartoons.118His first wife, Ruth, was originally Walter Winchell's secretary/Girl Friday.

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