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Donna Douglas (born September 26, 1933) is an
United States|American actor|actress. She is
best-known for her role as Elly May in the
long-running Television|TV Television
program|series The Beverly Hillbillies.

Born Dorothy Smith in Baywood, Louisiana|Baywood,
Louisiana, she grew up on the farm of her
grandparents loving animals and nature, climbing
trees, swinging on vines and playing football and
softball. She was a Cheerleading|cheerleader as a
teenager and won some beauty contests. She was
awarded the titles "Miss Baton Rouge" and, in
1957, "Miss New Orleans."

She went to New York City|New York to pursue a
career in entertainment and started out as a Model
(person)|model for toothpaste adds. She was
featured as the "Letters Girl" on The Perry Como
Show in 1957 in television|1957, and as the
"Billboard Girl" on The Steve Allen Show in 1959
in television|1959. These and other TV appearances
led New York photographers and newspaper reporters
to award her the "Miss By-line" crown, which she
wore on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Film producer|Producer Hal B. Wallis|Hal Wallis
saw the Sullivan episode and cast her in the role
of Marjorie Burke in the film|movie drama Career
(1959 movie)|Career (1959 in film|1959) starring
Anthony Franciosa, Dean Martin and Shirley
MacLaine. This was followed by a bit part in the
musical comedy Li'l Abner (1959 in film|1959) and
the role of a secretary in the comedy/romance
Lover Come Back (1961 in film|1961) starring Rock
Hudson, Doris Day and Tony Randall.

Douglas made numerous TV appearances, which
includes a famous episode of The Twilight Zone
titled The Eye of the Beholder (1960 in
television|1960).

She had two husbands, Roland Bourgeois (married
1949-divorced 1954) and director Robert M. Leeds
(married late 1970s-divorced). She and Bourgeois
had one son.

The turning point in Douglas' career came when she
was chosen over 500 other actresses to play the
role of Elly May Clampett on The Beverly
Hillbillies. She is extremely proud of her role
and the show, which she says she loved doing.

Her final movie role was as Frankie in Frederick
de Cordova's musical comedy Frankie and Johnny
(1966 film)|Frankie and Johnny (1966 in film|1966)
opposite Elvis Presley.

Douglas remained with The Beverly Hillbillies for
the entire run of the series. In 1981 in
television|1981, she returned for a made-for-TV
reunion movie. Having no resentment about being so
closely identified with one character, she still
makes occasional public appearances in her
hillbilly costume of blue jeans with trademark
rope belt and a ruffled, pink blouse.

She received her real estate license after The
Beverly Hillbillies went off the air in order to
have something to fall back on. She did not work
in that field long, however, as she remained in
show business and found other projects. She was
offered a role on a prime-time soap opera, but
felt there were too many bad things in it, with
not enough family values, and turned it down.

A devoted Christianity|Christian, Douglas is also
a noted Gospel music|gospel singer. She has a
gospel album and a Country music|country album.
She has also written a Children's
literature|children's book titled Donna's Critters
& Kids: Children's Stories with a Bible Touch,
which has Bible stories featuring animals and is
combined with a coloring book for ages two to
seven.

She has remained busy making appearances, speaking
for church groups, youth groups, schools and
colleges. She has also appeared at conventions and
trade shows

Donna Douglas lives in Huntington Beach,
California, but still considers Baton Rouge,
Louisiana her home. 

==Filmography==
*Career (1959 movie)|Career (1959 in film|1959)
(Paramount) ... Marjorie Burke
*Li'l Abner (1959 in film|1959) (Paramount) ...
bit part (uncredited)
*Lover Come Back (1961 in film|1961) (Universal)
... Deborah
*Frankie and Johnny (1966 in film|1966) (United
Artists) ... Frankie

==Selected TV appearances==
*The Twilight Zone (November 11, 1960 in
television|1960) ... Janet Tyler ... episode: The
Eye of the Beholder
*77 Sunset Strip (April 28, 1961 in
television|1961) ... Rhoda Sheridan ... episode:
The Celluloid Cowboy
*The Twilight Zone (May 25, 1962 in
television|1962) ... Woman ... episode: Cavender
Is Coming
*The Beverly Hillbillies (1962 in
television|1962-1971 in television|1971) (series
regular) ... Elly May Clampett
*Night Gallery (January 26, 1972 in
television|1972) ... Mildred McVane ... episode:
Last Rites for a Dead Druid
*The Nanny (March 31, 1999 in television|1999) ...
Herself ... episode: California, Here We Come

==External links==
*imdb name|id=0235031|name= Donna Douglas