Dona Douglas was born on September 26, 1932, as Doris Ione Smith. In 2024, she would have been 92 years old. She was born in Louisiana and became famous for her part as Elly May Clampett on the popular TV show The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1973). She worked as a model and was in a number of TV shows before she became an actress, including “The Twilight Zone.” Douglas went into gospel singing, became a famous real estate agent in Beverly Hills, and wrote books after she stopped acting. By the time she died in 2015, she was thought to have a net worth of about $1 million, which she had earned through singing, real estate, and other jobs.
Donna Douglas got married twice during her life. Roland Bourgeois Jr. was her first husband. They got married in 1951. She was married three times and had one son. Even though Douglas was well-known, she kept her personal life pretty quiet. She was still loved for her famous TV part and her Southern charm.
Social profiles
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Doris Ione Smith |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | Pride, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA |
| Date of Death | January 1, 2015 |
| Place of Death | Zachary, Louisiana, USA |
| Cause of Death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Height | 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) |
| Known For | Role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962– 1971) |
| Other Notable Work | The Twilight Zone (“Eye of the Beholder” episode), Frankie and Johnny (1966) |
| Early Career | Model, TV appearances including The Perry Como Show, The Steve Allen Show |
| Post-Acting Career | Gospel singer, real estate agent, inspirational speaker, author |
| Marriages | Married twice: Roland Bourgeois Jr. (divorced), Robert M. Leeds (divorced) |
| Children | One son, Danny P. Bourgeois (born 1954) |
| Awards | 2 wins total (specific awards not detailed in search results) |
| Legacy | Remembered as a Southern Belle and beloved for her iconic TV role; typecast after Hillbillies |
Donna Douglas Net Worth at the Time of Her Death
Donna Douglas was thought to have had a net worth of between $3 million and $5 million at the time of her death in 2015. Her main source of wealth came from her work on The Beverly Hillbillies, though her exact pay numbers from the show are not made public. Compared to today, her first pay was low compared to other TV stars of the time. However, residuals and syndication helped her earn more over time.
Doug also made money from advertising, book sales, public speaking, and investing in real estate. She was smart with her money and had many ways to make money, which helped her keep her wealth after the show stopped.
Donna Douglas and Her Co-Stars: Net Worth Comparison
Business Ventures and Income Sources
After she stopped acting, Donna Douglas started a number of different businesses and found other ways to make money. After the end of The Beverly Hillbillies, she got a real estate license and worked as an agent, mostly in Beverly Hills, California, but she didn’t stay in this job for long. She also tried to make a living as a gospel singer and recorded several gospel albums starting in 1982. In the 1970s and 1980s, she also put out a few small country music CDs. Douglas was also a motivational speaker who often spoke to church groups, youth groups, schools, and colleges. He often supported Christian children’s homes in the South of the United States.
Douglas also wrote books for kids with religious themes, like Donna’s Critters and Kids: Children’s Stories with a Bible Touch and Miss Donna’s Mulberry Acres Farm. He also wrote a cookbook called Southern Favourites with a Taste of Hollywood, which had recipes from the South and rules for acting in Hollywood. Besides these projects, she went to court over the use of her image and intellectual property. For example, she sued Disney over Sister Act and Mattel over an unauthorised Barbie doll that looked like her character Elly May Clampett. These different jobs helped her make money in addition to her acting work.
Real State Ownership and Properties
After The Beverly Hillbillies stopped airing, Donna Douglas got her real estate license and worked as a real estate agent in Beverly Hills, California. She didn’t stay in the real estate business for long, though. Instead, she focused on other things, like church singing, writing, and giving speeches. She later moved back to Louisiana, where she was born, and spent most of her time doing charity work and public speaking. While specifics about the homes she owned are not available to the public, it is known that she had a home in Louisiana where she died in 2015 surrounded by family and friends.
Also Read More: Haiden Deegan Net Worth
Donna Douglas Personal Life
Donna Douglas got married three times and had a son named Danny P. Bourgeois. Her marriages ended in divorce, and she didn’t talk much about her personal life. She owned a home in Louisiana that showed her Southern background and simple way of life. The properties she owned helped her stay financially stable.
Donna Douglas’s Career Highlights
Douglas’s big break came when she played Elly May Clampett, a character who was quick with a joke and naturally attractive. She was best known for her role in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” but she was also in films like “Frankie and Johnny” (1966) with Elvis Presley, which didn’t do much to help her career.
Douglas changed her job after the show finished and now sings gospel, writes books, and gives motivational speeches. She worked as a real estate agent too, showing that she could do more than just play. Her memory lives on through merchandise, reruns, and the way she influenced other female TV stars.
Physical Measurements
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
- Weight: Approximately 56.7 kg (125 lbs)
- Body Measurements: 37-23-36 inches (Bust-Waist-Hips)
- Breast Size: 37 inches, Bra size 34C
- Waist: 23 inches
- Dress Size: 8 (US)
- Shoe Size: 7 (US)
- Hair Color: Blonde
- Eye Color: Blue
Public Perception & Media Coverage
Many people thought of Donna Douglas as the perfect Southern belle, and her part as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies made her famous. People and the media loved how good, charming, and normal she seemed, which was different from many other TV stars of the time. People who knew her thought she was pretty, fresh-faced, and wonderfully innocent. They also thought she loved animals and had a warm Southern charm.
After she died, the news focused on personal stories from people who knew her in real life. These stories showed her as gracious, kind, and giving, someone who made others happy and warm by sharing gifts and blessings with them. Even though she was famous, she was known for being polite and easy to talk to. She also kept her private life out of the public eye.
Douglas also went to court to protect her image. One example is the lawsuit she filed against Mattel over an illegal Elly May Barbie doll, which shows how she wanted to control how her famous character was used in media and products.
People and the media generally thought of Donna Douglas as a true treasure of classic TV, remembered fondly for her iconic part and her genuine, kind personality off-screen.
Donna Douglas and Elvis Presley: Were They Close?
Douglas co-starred with Elvis Presley in the 1966 movie Frankie and Johnny. Their chemistry on screen led to rumours that they were dating in real life. However, there is no solid proof that they dated. Their friendship is still famous in Hollywood, but it’s known for the work they did together rather than a personal connection.
Donna Douglas Cause of Death and Public Reaction
She was 82 years old when she died on January 1, 2015, from pancreatic cancer. Fans, co-stars, and people in the entertainment business paid respect to her death, remembering how kind, religious, and humble she was. Douglas’s Christian religion had a big impact on her later life and public image.
How Donna Douglas Managed Her Wealth
Douglas was famous for being cheap, but she was known for it. She was careful with her money, invested in real estate, and gave a lot to charity and her church. Her modesty and groundedness made her stand out from many of her Hollywood peers during her lifetime.
Donna Douglas’s Enduring Legacy
Elly May Clampett, played by Donna Douglas, is still a beloved cultural icon. She had an impact on many actresses and TV roles played by women. Her memory lives on through merchandise, reruns, and fan clubs for the show, which shows how much of an effect she had on American pop culture.
FAQs
How much money did Donna Douglas make on The Beverly Hillbillies?
Even though exact numbers aren’t available, it’s possible that her earnings, residuals, and endorsements added up to a net worth of $3–5 million by the time she died.
How much money did Donna Douglas make on The Beverly Hillbillies?
About three million dollars.
Did Elvis date Donna Douglas?
There is no solid proof that they were dating; they were just co-stars on TV shows.
What is Max Baer Jr’s net worth?
About $10 million, with more money coming in from business deals made after the show.
Did Donna Douglas have any children?
She did have one son.
Where did Donna Douglas live?
She kept her Southern roots by living in Louisiana.
Was Donna Douglas married?
She was married twice and got separated both times.
Conclusion
Donna Douglas was a talented actress who became famous on TV through The Beverly Hillbillies. Her life and work show how she got there. Many years after she died, her financial legacy, personal humility, and cultural effect are still felt. As Elly May Clampett, she brought kindness and charm to American homes, making her a beloved star whose impact on TV history is still being felt today.
Also Read More: Erik Estrada Net Worth
