Donna Douglas who played the animal loving Elly Mae Clampett on the 1960s sitcom TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies” has died at age 81.
She passed away at her home after a battle with pancreatic cancer in Pride, Louisiana with family by her side according to WAFB Channel 9.
Donna was born Sept. 26, 1933 in 1933 and lived in Zachary, La.
Married at 17, Donna was a former "Miss Baton Rouge" and was named "Miss New Orleans" in 1957, spurring her to a show-biz career.
Portraying star-crossed lovers with Elvis Presley in “Frankie And Johnny”, Donna was catapulted into the national spotlight. Other films included: "Career" with Dean Martin and in the musical version of Al Capp's backwoods comic strip "Lil" Abner".
Donna starred on the wacky "The Beverly Hillbillies" as the tomboyish "critter lovin'" Elly Mae for all nine seasons.
Among the other TV shows Donna appeared on she was famously appeared as the “after face” in the classic Twilight Zone ep “Eye of the Beholder”, “Ozzie & Harriet”, “Adam 12, “Route 66”, The Whirly Birds” "77 Sunset Strip" AND “Mr. Ed’.
As The ENQUIRER previously reported she sued Mattel for making an Elly Mae doll with her likeness without her permission. Mattel later settled for an undisclosed amount.
Donna later performed as a gospel singer and wrote Miss Donna’s Mulberry Acres Farm, published in 2011.
“I loved doing Elly May. She was a slice out of my own life,” Donna said. “And of course, the Beverly Hillbillies was a story about the American Dream. No matter who tried to slicker us or take advantage of us, we always came out on top.”
Au revoir, Donna.
