Glamorous Throwback Photos Of The Beverly Hillbillies Cast From The '60s

In 1962, the American sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies"  loaded up the Oldsmobile and put down stakes on CBS. The beloved show, which was on the air for almost a decade, told the story of the Clampetts, a family from the Ozark mountains who find oil on their land, become millionaires, and move to Beverly Hills, California. Naturally, all sorts of hilarity ensued. 

The show starred Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett, the widowed patriarch who first discovers the life-changing oil. He moves with his mother-in-law, Daisy May "Granny" Moses, played by the inimitable Irene Ryan. Then there was the beautiful Donna Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, Jed's only child. Max Baer Jr. was Jethro Bodine, the lovable if somewhat dim-witted cousin of Jed who moves with the family to California in order to finish his education. Other iconic actors filtered throughout the seasons, including Sharon Tate, each making their mark on one of the most popular TV shows of the 1960s. 

On the show, the characters were outfitted in a wide array of costumes, some of whom continued to embrace their hillbilly roots while others attempted to fit into the posh world of Beverly Hills. But behind the scenes, these iconic cast members totally captured the glamorous life of the '60s. From gowns and tuxedos that boasted a high-society polish to sculpted hair and dramatic makeup, these cast members were a long cry from the country vibe that one might associate with their characters. 

Donna Douglas brought a youthful and feminine charm to "The Beverly Hillbillies" thanks to her bright, sunny portrayal of Elly May Clampett. While on the show, her character often wore denim and gingham tops, a reference to her country roots, in her real life, Douglas was the definition of dazzling. In 1965, she posed for a photo wearing a fitted white turtleneck with a cinched waist thanks to a black belt. Her blond hair was pulled up in casual curls, and she all but channeled Marilyn Monroe, another hero of the decade who died in 1962.

Irene Ryan may have played the country bumpkin "Granny" on "The Beverly Hillbillies," but in real life, she was a genuine showbiz star. She started performing when she was 11, and continued doing everything from vaudeville to motion pictures. In 1964, when she attended the premiere of "The Americanization of Emily," Ryan sure delivered the Hollywood glam. Her double strand of pearls and her white fur stole were timeless, as were her white opera gloves. Clearly, Ryan knew how to work a red carpet. 

You might've forgotten that Hollywood legend Sharon Tate had a key role on "The Beverly Hillbillies." The star played bank secretary Janet Trego for 15 episodes in the sitcom; this was before she became a superstar, and Tate wore a short brown wig on the show, covering her iconic blond hair. In real life, Tate's allure was undeniable. In 1960, she attended a party in Los Angeles wearing a v-neck black dress, an understated yet stunning look. Her face-framing layers and bangs added to her effervescent charm.

Though she was the picture of 1960s Hollywood, Donna Douglas' life before "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a world away from Tinseltown. She grew up in Louisiana on a farm, an outdoorsy kid whose chores included milking cows. Pictured here in 1965, she'd long bid farewell to farm life. Posing for a portrait, she wore a strapless blue gown with white opera gloves. Her voluminous red hair, pulled to the side in a low ponytail, added to the lively image of a screen star in her power.

Part of the enduring delight of "The Beverly Hillbillies" was the fact that the cast had such strong chemistry when the cameras rolled. Between Irene Ryan, Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas and Max Baer Jr., the ensemble's combined power was unstoppable. Not to be missed was the family dog, Duke. In 1966, they posed together to promote the show, and captured in a single photograph what fans loved about them. Ryan looked as comical and mischievous as she always was, Ebsen had that raffish charm, Douglas looked alluring, while Baer Jr. was as lovable as ever. 

Donna Douglas knew how to wield her charm. A savvy performer, Douglas ended up having a long life and career beyond "The Beverly Hillbillies." But Douglas could play Elly May Clampett's country innocence perfectly. Naturally a brunette, Douglas dyed her hair blond to stand out in Hollywood and to nail Elly May's look. In 1964, Douglas posed for a portrait wearing a pale blue blouse with a delicate white ruffle collar. As a summer color, the low contrast of the pale blue looked flattering on Douglas' soft aesthetic.

Few rocked mod fashion in the 1960s like Sharon Tate. She frequently wore mini dresses and mini skirts, fitted separates, and loved a clean, tailored sophistication. Her style as Janet Trego on "The Beverly Hillbillies" was different from the street style she exhibited while out and about — or even when hanging out at home at her London apartment. Pictured here in the 1960s, Tate looked cool as can be in a tight-fitting sweater, plaid trousers, and a voluminous half-up hairdo.

As Jethro Bodine, Max Baer Jr. sure brought the laughs to the small screen. While he was good at playing an uneducated country boy on "The Beverly Hillbillies," Baer Jr. was a Hollywood star through and through. In fact, he came from fame, too. His father, Max Baer, was a professional boxer and the world heavyweight champion from 1934 to 1935. So when Baer Jr. posed in 1962 in dark swim trunks on a beach, it was clear from his bravado that he saw himself as a genuine star and clearly didn't mind the attention. 

In 1962, "The Beverly Hillbillies" darling Donna Douglas posed next to a tree in a relaxed, striped blouse and denim while rocking voluminous, fluffy pigtails. But the truth is that pigtails were popular in the '60s with other stars like French actor Brigitte Bardot rocking the same style with similar curtain bangs. The same goes for Douglas' bold eye makeup. Dramatic, statement liner was a big part of '60s beauty trends, so the "Hillbillies" star was right on target.

Though Jed Clampett would be the role that defined his career, it surely was not the role that launched Buddy Ebsen's career. Long before "The Beverly Hillbillies," he made a name for himself during the Golden Age of Hollywood — and he had the swag to prove it. In 1969, he was photographed in the U.K. rowing back to his catamaran in a rubber boat. Tough life. The iconic shot shows Ebsen in white sailing clothes with a big pair of sunglasses, looking every bit the movie star. 

Sorry to be a broken record, but Sharon Tate was a perfect example of 1960s beauty standards. The star loved a bold lash moment, amplifying her impossibly long upper and lower lashes with thick mascara to give her that Bambi effect. Tate also frequently sported bangs and fluffy layers when she wasn't playing Janet Trego on "The Beverly Hillbillies," and Tate showcased this look when she posed for a photo in 1965. These '60s bangs are making a comeback thanks to their wispy, romantic effect. The layers and bangs gave her that '60s volume that just about everyone wanted.

When Max Baer Jr. wasn't playing the goofy cousin on "The Beverly Hillbillies," he embodied old school Hollywood charm. In 1962, Baer Jr. attended an award party in Los Angeles with his wife, Joanne Hill. The two of them looked like perfect examples of '60s celebrity culture; Baer Jr. looked charming in his tuxedo while Hill, with her elaborate updo and voluminous bangs, captured the beauty trends that made the decade so iconic. The two would go on to divorce in 1971 after five years of marriage. 

During the 1960s, Jackie Kennedy's approach to first lady aesthetic was all the rage, as was Audrey Hepburn's iconic "Breakfast at Tiffany's" style; so, many women of the era leaned towards high-drama fashion, particularly in Hollywood. This included dramatic gowns, gloves, and big hair. Donna Douglas looked worlds away from her character in "The Beverly Hillbillies" when she posed in 1960 in a draped, silk gown by Walter Plunkett with white opera gloves while promoting the film "Bells Are Ringing." She was '60s elegance at its finest. 

Irene Ryan's comedic chops cannot be overstated. While she had a long career both before and after "The Beverly Hillbillies," the role of Daisy May "Granny" Moses made her famous. In the early '60s, she posed as her character for a portrait, the picture is worth a thousand gallons of Texas tea. Though Ryan was only in her late 50s when she started playing the character, thanks to the pair of eyeglasses dangling askew, the high neckline, and formal chapéu, it's hard to imagine anyone else as Granny. 

Actor Nancy Kulp, who was one "Beverly Hillbillies" star who couldn't stand Buddy Ebsen, played Jane Hathaway, the smart, loyal secretary to banker Milburn Drysdale who was tasked with managing the Clampett family fortune. In 1964, Kulp — who was also a writer and politician — posed for a portrait wearing an ensemble that showed a different side to '60s fashion. While tailored silhouettes and big hair were very much en vogue, she channeled a different side of effortless elegance wearing a chunky sweater, kerchief, and understated wristwatch.

Donna Douglas showed a range of glamorous styles from the 1960s throughout her time as Elly May Clampett. When Douglas wasn't running around in gingham blouses playing a hillbilly who couldn't let go of her roots, she wore sensational gowns for red carpet events. But Douglas also had a style range that ran in the middle of these two extremes. In 1964, Douglas posed for a portrait in a voluminous, long sleeve bow blouse; instead of looking like a pirate, Douglas managed to make the elaborate top look bold and dramatic. 

Actor and comedian Bea Benaderet had a recurring role on "The Beverly Hillbillies" as Pearl Bodine, cousin of Jed Clampett and mother of Jethro Bodine. Benaderet originally auditioned for the role of "Granny," but she was deemed too buxom to play the part and instead.But it all worked out for her anyway, as she took on the role as the hilarious cousin. The part was memorable in its own right, as Benaderet was able to strut her stuff in elaborate costumes, like her dazzling hat covered in pink flowers.

Donna Douglas was unstoppable in the 1960s. While on-screen playing Elly May Clampett, Douglas ran around barefoot, embracing the wild side of her beloved character. But off screen, Douglas was the epitome of polished, glamorous '60s style. The contrast between her character and Douglas' real style was striking. In 1965, the actor posed for a portrait in a coat with white gloves and a white collar. The style was as elegant as Elly May's style was wild, making for a delightful juxtaposition between actor and character.

Sharon Tate could make anything look good, and she was an embodiment of the newer style that started to take hold in the later 1960s. While in New York on August 15, 1967, Tate stepped out in a purple sweater with long, casual hair. She was visiting her husband, Roman Polanski, on the set of "Rosemary's Baby," exhibiting the cool girl charm that would pave the way for the '70s bohemian aesthetic. Tate was a master at looking gorgeously undone, rejecting the arch structure of early '60s style and embracing a more wearable street style. 

Bea Benaderet was a mainstay of 1960s television. When she wasn't playing Jed Clampett's cousin, Benaderet lent her talent to all kinds of Hollywood productions. Taking a break from the costumes of "The Beverly Hillbillies," Benaderet posed in 1962 with the other voice actors from "The Flinstones." There was Alan Reed as Fred Flintstone, Jean Vander Pyl as Wilma, Benaderet as Betty and Mel Blanc as Barney. Benaderet looked beautiful in her white floral dress with a white jacket, while sporting a voluminous, curly short bob in classic '60s style. 

Sharon Tate posed for a black and white photo in 1969 with her hair down long and loose. This was a long way from her look on "The Beverly Hillbillies," where her short, dark brown wig gave her a comedic element. Off screen, Tate's look was much more effervescent. While the early '60s were marked by elaborate, beehive hairdos, the late '60s ushered in a laid-back, beachy vibe and the effortless style that went with it. It was also the hippie era, and Tate embraced the casual beauty of the subculture. 

Decades before the 2020s hair bow renaissance had its moment, Sharon Tate made this feminine and delicate accessory her own. Her casual spin on the style was a sharp contrast to the high-brow glamor that typified much of the decade. While many women were rocking the picture-perfect style of Jackie Kennedy, Tate was leading the charge in a different aesthetic: the emergence of boho charm. Tate mastered the countercultural '60s beauty standard of a more relaxed, playful style and her effortless hair, complete with a high bow, was a perfect example of this. 

Donna Douglas' 1960s elegance was a force to be reckoned with; "The Beverly Hillbillies" darling could steal the focus without even trying. When she hung up the gingham blouses and tomboyish outfits worn by her character, Elly May Clampett, Douglas did not cut corners when it came to bringing glamour. In 1965, Douglas posed for a portrait wearing an off-the-shoulder gown in powder blue with a pearl brooch on her right side. Big hair, from towering beehives to bouffant 'dos, were huge in the '60s, and Douglas was on-trend with her curly, full locks. 

Before "The Beverly Hillbillies" hit the small screen, Buddy Ebsen was in the cast of the classic film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." In it, be played Doc Golightly, the estranged husband of Holly Golightly, who, of course, was played by Audrey Hepburn. In his tailored suit, dress shirt, tie, and a wide-brimmed structured hat, he couldn't have looked less like Jed Clampett — even though his "Breakfast at Tiffany's" character also hailed from a small town. Though he was supposed to look a little out of place in Manhattan, he still exhibited a level of early '60s polish.

The cast of the show had a charismatic quality together, but things weren't always rosy between the actors. In fact, "The Beverly Hillbillies" cast dealt with quite a bit of drama behind the scenes. There was conflict between Max Baer Jr. and Donna Douglas, and occasionally with Buddy Ebsen, too. But they were all serious actors and kept things as professional as possible. On top of that, they presented as a united front when promoting their show, and their combined star quality was a force to be reckoned with in the 1960s — and beyond.