Buddy Ebsen

Buddy Ebsen

Christian Ludolf "Buddy" Ebsen Jr. (April 2, 1908 – July 6, 2003) was an American actor and dancer, whose career spanned seven decades, including the role of Jed Clampett in the CBS television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971) and the title character in the television detective drama Barnaby Jones (1973–1980), also on CBS. The SAG-AFTRA records also show him as Frank "Buddy" Ebsen.

A performer for seven decades, he had starring roles as Jed Clampett in the long-running television series "The Beverly Hillbillies" and as the title character in the 1970s detective series "Barnaby Jones". Ebsen was cast as the original Tin Man in 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz", but fell ill, reacting to the aluminum dust in his makeup, and was forced to drop out of the film. Ebsen made his television debut on an episode of The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre in 1949. This led to television appearances in: Stars Over Hollywood, Gruen Guild Playhouse, four episodes of Broadway Television Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Corky and White Shadow, the H.J. Heinz Company's Studio 57, Screen Directors Playhouse, two episodes of Climax!, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Martha Raye Show, Playhouse 90, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Johnny Ringo, two episodes of Bonanza, three episodes of Maverick (in which he portrayed assorted homicidal villains), and 77 Sunset Strip. Ebsen received wide television exposure when he played Georgie Russel, a role based on a historical person and companion to frontiersman Davy Crockett, in the Disneyland television miniseries Davy Crockett (1954–1955). In the 1958–1959 season, Ebsen co-starred in the 26-episode half-hour NBC television adventure series Northwest Passage. This series was a fictionalized account of Major Robert Rogers, a colonial American fighter for the British in the French and Indian War. Ebsen played the role of Sergeant Hunk Marriner; Keith Larsen played Rogers. In 1960, Ebsen appeared in episodes of the television series Rawhide, in the episodes "The Pitchwagon" and Tales of Wells Fargo, which he reprised in episodes of both series during 1962 in the roles of different characters. Also in 1960, Ebsen played in season 4 episode 30 of Have Gun, Will Travel called "El Paso Stage", as a corrupt marshal. From 1961 to 1962, Ebsen had a recurring role as Virge Blessing in the ABC drama series Bus Stop, the story of travelers passing through the bus station and diner in the fictitious town of Sunrise, Colorado. Robert Altman directed several episodes. Arthur O'Connell had played Virge Blessing in the earlier film version on which the series was loosely based. Ebsen also appeared as "Mr. Dave" Browne, a homeless hobo, on The Andy Griffith Show opposite Ron Howard, and as Jimbo Cobb in The Twilight Zone episode "The Prime Mover" (season 2, episode 21) in 1961.

Acting

2026

Reel to Reel to Reel to Reel
Movie

Jed Clampett (archival footage)

2004

Judy Garland: By Myself
Movie

Self - Actor (voice)

1994

1994

Burke's Law
Tv

Louie Pike

1993

Audrey Hepburn: Remembered
Movie

Self (archive footage)

1990

Working Tra$h
Movie

Vandevere Lodge

1987

1987

1987

1985

That's Dancing!
Movie

From 'Born to Dance' (archive footage)

1982

Matt Houston
Tv

Roy Houston

1978

The Bastard
Tv

Benjamin Edes

1978

The Bastard
Movie

Benjamin Edes

1975

The Tiny Tree
Movie

Squire Badger (Narrator) (voice)

1974

1974

1973

The President's Plane Is Missing
Movie

Vice President Kermit Madigan

1973

Barnaby Jones
Tv

Barnaby Jones

1970

1968

Hawaii Five-O
Tv

Professor Ambrose Pierce

1962

The Beverly Hillbillies
Tv

Jed "JD" Clampett

1962

The Interns
Movie

Dr. Sidney Wohl

1961

Fury River
Movie

Sergeant Hunk Marriner

1961

1960

1960

Checkmate
Tv

Pete O'Mara

1959

1958

Bronco
Tv

Unknown

1958

Northwest Passage
Tv

Sergeant Hunk Marriner

1956

Disneyland: U.S.A.
Movie

Self - George Russel

1956

Between Heaven and Hell
Movie

Pvt. Willie Crawford

1956

Attack
Movie

Tolliver

1956

Corky and White Shadow
Tv

Sheriff Matthew Brady

1955

1955

1955

Gunsmoke
Tv

Hannibal

1954

Walt Disney Treasures - Davy Crockett
Movie

George Russell (archive footage)

1954

Night People
Movie

M/Sgt. Eddie McColloch

1954

Red Garters
Movie

Ginger Pete

1952

Omnibus
Tv

Unknown

1950

1950

1939

The Wizard of Oz
Movie

Tin Man (singing voice) (uncredited)

1939

Hollywood Hobbies
Movie

Self (uncredited)

1936

Born to Dance
Movie

'Mush' Tracy

1936

Infos

Full Name
Buddy Ebsen
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
4/2/1908
Date of Death
7/6/2003
Also Known As

Christian Ludolf Ebsen, Jr.