Donna Douglas Has Died

The world is less glamorous today, because Donna Douglas, who played glamorous pinup tomboy Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, died yesterday morning at her home in Louisiana. She was 81.

Donna Douglas was born in Pride, LA and lived in Zachary, LA. Her granddaughter confirmed to TMZ that she died while surrounded by her family. Her granddaughter didn’t say what she died of, but Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies, told Good Hollywood that she’s been battling pancreatic cancer for the last 4 months.

Donna played Elly May for the entire run of The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971. She put her luxurious peroxide mop back into pigtails in 1981 for the made-for-TV reunion movie. Before The Beverly Hillbillies, she was on a bunch of TV shows including the legendary Twilight Zone episode “Eye of the Beholder.” After The Beverly Hillbillies, she got her California real estate license and sold houses for a bit. She also wrote a children’s book and spoke at churches across the country.

Donna also never stopped bringing the blonde glamour and her A++ eyebrow situation never wavered. Here’s Donna at the TV Land Awards in 2004:

Rest in peace, Donna. You are now in heaven, giving love to the raccoon angels.