Donna Douglas Net Worth - Pulptastic

May 2024 · 4 minute read

What was Donna Douglas’ net worth?

Donna Douglas, an American actress, had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of her death. She pursued a career in entertainment in 1957 and appeared in several TV commercials before landing her first acting role in the film “Career” in 1959.

Donna Douglas is famous for her role as Elly May Clampett in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” from 1962 to 1971. She also appeared in other popular TV shows such as “The Twilight Zone” and “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.”

Aside from her acting career, Donna was also a talented singer and released several albums in the 1960s. She retired from acting in the early 1980s and focused on her family and charitable work.

Early Life and Achievements

Donna Douglas was born in 1932 in Pride, Louisiana. She was the younger of two children and attended St. Gerard Catholic School where she played softball and basketball. Douglas was named “Miss Baton Rouge” and “Miss New Orleans” in 1957.

Early Career of Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas started her career as a model for toothpaste ads after moving to New York City. She gained popularity by appearing on “The Perry Como Show” and “The Steve Allen Show.” She was also awarded the “Miss By-line” crown, which she wore on The Ed Sullivan Show. Douglas made her way into films with roles in “Career,” “Li’l Abner,” and “Lover Come Back.” She also appeared in several television shows such as “The Twilight Zone,” “Checkmate,” “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” and “Adam 12.” In a 1958 episode of “The Phil Silvers Show,” she was credited as Doris Bourgeois, her given name and her married name from her first marriage. Douglas continued to make numerous appearances on TV throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s.

Donna Douglas: The Beverly Hillbillies Star

Donna Douglas rose to fame as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971. Her big break came when she was selected out of 500 actresses for the role. During a hiatus from the show, she starred in her only feature film appearance in “Frankie and Johnny” with Elvis Presley. Despite its success, she never advanced her big-screen career.

Douglas reunited with her co-stars for “The Legend of The Beverly Hillbillies” and a Barbie representation of Elly May Clampett was released in 2010. In a 2003 interview, Douglas reflected on the role of Elly, stating “she may open a door for you, but you have to have substance or integrity to advance you through that door.”

Donna Douglas’ Career After “The Beverly Hillbillies”

After the show ended, Donna Douglas obtained a real-estate license but did not remain in the field for long due to her continued involvement in show business. She became a gospel singer and speaker at various locations across the United States. Additionally, she did charitable work for children in the American South. She recorded multiple gospel albums and a few minor country music records during the 1970s and ’80s.

In addition to her music, Douglas wrote and published a Christian children’s book called “Donna’s Critters and Kids: Children’s Stories with a Bible Touch,” which included Bible stories featuring animals combined with a coloring book. She also published a cookbook in 2013 called “Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood,” which collected recipes of Southern cooking from her fellow show-business friends including Valerie Harper, Phyllis Diller, and Debbie Reynolds.

Lawsuits Involving Donna Douglas

In 1993, Donna Douglas filed a lawsuit against Disney, Whoopi Goldberg, Bette Midler, and their production companies, claiming that the film “Sister Act” was plagiarized from a book called “A Nun in the Closet” that she had developed a screenplay from. The lawsuit was dismissed in favor of the defendants.

In 2011, Douglas filed a lawsuit against Mattel for using her name and likeness without her permission for the Barbie doll based on her character for Elly May. The case was settled in December 2011, and the details were confidential.

Donna Douglas’ Marriages and Death

Donna Douglas was married twice in her lifetime. Her first husband was Roland Bourgeois Jr., and they were married in 1949. The couple had one child together before divorcing in 1954. Douglas then married Robert M. Leeds in 1971, who was her director on “The Beverly Hillbillies.” The couple divorced in 1980.

On January 1, 2015, Donna Douglas died from pancreatic cancer at Baton Rouge General Hospital. She was 82 years old.

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