By Hove Team 
Donna Douglas had an estimated net worth of $500,000 at the time of her death in 2015. This figure comes from consistent reports by reputable sources like Celebrity Net Worth and others, reflecting earnings primarily from her iconic role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, along with modeling, film appearances, gospel music, real estate work, and later books and speaking engagements. As a beloved actress who stepped away from Hollywood’s spotlight, her wealth remained modest compared to many contemporaries, shaped by a career focused on meaningful work rather than maximum financial gain.
Key Highlights
- Primary Source of Fame: Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971), a role that made her a TV icon and typecast her in wholesome, rural characters.
- Net Worth Context: Estimates are posthumous and approximate, based on public records and industry analyses; no official disclosures exist from her estate. The evidence leans toward $500,000 as a reliable figure, with no major controversies around it.
- Life Overview: A Louisiana native, animal lover, devout Christian, and twice-divorced mother who transitioned from acting to gospel singing, writing children’s books, and inspirational speaking after her TV heyday.
- Legacy: Remembered for embodying the American Dream through her character, her kindness, and her choice to prioritize faith and family over fame.
Career Snapshot: Douglas rose from beauty pageants and early TV modeling to stardom on one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1960s. After the show ended, she embraced gospel music and authored books like Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood.
Personal Note: She passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2015 at age 82, leaving a legacy of warmth and authenticity that still resonates with fans.
Donna Douglas captured hearts as Elly May Clampett, the sweet, critter-loving daughter on The Beverly Hillbillies. This role turned her into a household name during the 1960s and early 1970s. Beyond the show, she lived a grounded life rooted in her Southern upbringing, faith, and love for animals. Many fans still wonder about Donna Douglas net worth, her journey from Louisiana to Hollywood, and what happened after she left the spotlight. This article explores her full story, from humble beginnings to her lasting impact.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Doris Ione Smith (stage name: Donna Douglas) |
| Also Known As / Nicknames | Elly May Clampett |
| Date of Birth / Age | September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015 (aged 82) |
| Birthplace / Hometown | Pride, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Primary Occupation | Actress and singer |
| Other Roles | Real estate agent, author, inspirational speaker, gospel singer |
| Genres / Fields | Television sitcoms, films, gospel and country music |
| Active Years | 1957–1980s (acting); later in gospel music, writing, and speaking |
| Breakthrough Year | 1962 |
| Notable Works | The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971), Frankie and Johnny (1966), The Twilight Zone episodes, gospel albums like Donna Douglas Sings Gospel |
| Awards & Honors | Miss Golden Globe (Television) 1963; TV Land Favorite “Fish Out of Water” 2004; various beauty pageant titles (Miss Baton Rouge, Miss New Orleans 1957) |
| Relationship Status | Divorced (twice) |
| Children | One son, Danny Bourgeois (born 1954) |
| Education & Training | Redemptorist High School (graduated in first class); studied acting with Lee Strasberg in New York |
| Official Social Media Handles | None (deceased before widespread social media; no verified accounts) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $500,000 at time of death (approximate, from sources like Celebrity Net Worth) |
Donna Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith in the small community of Pride, Louisiana, on September 26, 1932. She was the younger of two children and the only daughter of Emmett Ratcliff Smith Sr., who worked for Standard Oil, and Elma Robinson, a former telephone operator. Her family moved to north Baton Rouge when her father found steady work. Growing up in a modest environment, Douglas described herself as a tomboy. She loved animals from a young age and played sports like softball and basketball at school.
Her Southern roots shaped her warm, down-to-earth personality. She attended Redemptorist High School, where she excelled in activities and earned early recognition in beauty contests. These wins, including Miss Baton Rouge and Miss New Orleans in 1957, sparked her interest in performing and led her to New York City.
Douglas finished high school in Baton Rouge. After winning pageants, she headed to New York in 1957 to chase show business dreams. She worked as an illustration model for toothpaste ads and appeared as the “Letters Girl” on The Perry Como Show and the “Billboard Girl” on The Steve Allen Show. She also won the “Miss By-line” title and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
In New York, she studied acting with Lee Strasberg. Small TV roles followed in shows like The Phil Silvers Show and Checkmate. She made early film appearances in Career (1959) and Li’l Abner (1959). These experiences built her confidence and prepared her for bigger opportunities.
First Breakthrough: Douglas’s big break came in 1962 when she beat out 500 other actresses for the role of Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies. The CBS sitcom followed a poor mountain family who struck oil and moved to Beverly Hills. Elly May, with her love for animals and simple ways, became a fan favorite. The show topped ratings for its first two seasons and ran for nine years.
Growth Phase / Major Projects: During the show’s run, Douglas appeared in films like Frankie and Johnny (1966) with Elvis Presley. She also guest-starred in episodes of The Twilight Zone, including “Eye of the Beholder” (1960). After The Beverly Hillbillies ended in 1971, she reprised Elly May in the 1981 TV movie Return of the Beverly Hillbillies.
Iconic Moments & Turning Points: Elly May defined her career. Douglas often said the character felt like “a slice out of my life.” Typecasting limited other roles, so she shifted focus. In the 1980s, she recorded gospel albums such as Donna Douglas Sings Gospel (1982) and Back on the Mountain (1989). She also wrote children’s books like Donna’s Critters and Kids and the cookbook Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood (2013).
Accolades & Critical Reception: She won Miss Golden Globe (Television) in 1963 and the TV Land Favorite “Fish Out of Water” award in 2004 for her Beverly Hillbillies role. Fans and co-stars praised her kindness and professionalism.
Douglas faced typecasting after The Beverly Hillbillies. She turned down roles that did not align with her values, including a nighttime soap opera. She filed lawsuits in 1993 (over Sister Act) and 2011 (over an unauthorized Elly May Barbie doll), both settled. These showed her willingness to stand up for herself.
Her faith deepened over time. She attended Rhema Bible Training Center and graduated in 1984 with a focus on children’s ministry. Health challenges culminated in pancreatic cancer, diagnosed months before her death on January 1, 2015, in Baton Rouge.
Douglas married twice. Her first marriage to Roland John Bourgeois Jr. (1951–1954) produced her son, Danny. Her second marriage to Beverly Hillbillies director Robert M. Leeds lasted from 1971 to 1980. She remained close to co-stars like Buddy Ebsen, whom she saw as a father figure.
An animal lover, she supported critter causes and enjoyed gardening. Her Christian faith guided her later work, including speaking at churches and youth groups. She supported children’s homes in the South and responded personally to fan mail for years.
Donna Douglas net worth stood at approximately $500,000 when she passed away in 2015. This estimate appears consistently across sources like Celebrity Net Worth and industry reports. Her income came mainly from:
- Salary and residuals from The Beverly Hillbillies (the show’s success provided steady royalties).
- Modeling and early TV commercials.
- Film roles and guest spots.
- Gospel albums and country singles.
- Brief real estate work in Beverly Hills.
- Book sales (Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood featured recipes from stars like Debbie Reynolds) and speaking fees.
She lived modestly after leaving acting, focusing on faith-based pursuits rather than wealth-building. No major investments or businesses are documented, and her estate remained private.
- Did you know? Douglas was a talented athlete who pitched for the Paramount Studio softball team.
- She loved animals so much that she said, “Pets are like children. They know if you really love them or not. You can’t fool them.”
- She released a cookbook with recipes from Hollywood friends and included tips on “Hollywood Social Graces.”
- Despite fame, she stayed humble, hosting annual Christmas parties for the Beverly Hillbillies crew.
- In later years, she enjoyed quiet time in Louisiana, gardening, and answering fan letters.
What made Donna Douglas famous?
She became famous as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, a beloved character known for her innocence and love of animals.
How did Donna Douglas get her start?
She began with beauty pageants in Louisiana, then moved to New York in 1957 for modeling and TV work before landing her breakthrough role in 1962.
What were Donna Douglas’s biggest achievements?
Her nine-season run on The Beverly Hillbillies, gospel music career, books, and awards like Miss Golden Globe in 1963 stand out.
Was Donna Douglas married?
Yes, twice: first to Roland Bourgeois Jr. (with whom she had a son), and later to director Robert M. Leeds. Both marriages ended in divorce.
Where is Donna Douglas now?
Donna Douglas passed away on January 1, 2015, from pancreatic cancer. She is buried in Bluff Creek Community Cemetery in Louisiana.
Did Donna Douglas have any children?
She had one son, Danny Bourgeois, from her first marriage.
What happened to Donna Douglas after The Beverly Hillbillies?
She focused on gospel singing, writing children’s books, speaking at events, and briefly worked in real estate before retiring to Louisiana.
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