As a huge fan of classic sitcoms, I can’t help but feel a deep appreciation for the quirky and beloved clan from “The Beverly Hillbillies.” The show, which ran from 1962 to 1971, brought laughter and joy into countless families’ living rooms every week. Among the unforgettable characters was Jethro Bodine, played by the talented Max Baer Jr.
In the 1960s, families who enjoyed hearty, country-style humor regularly watched “The Beverly Hillbillies,” featuring the Clampett clan. However, when a shift occurred towards city-centric sitcoms that focused on more relatable, urban issues, the popular rural show was phased out. (Or, Families tuned in to watch the Clampetts of “The Beverly Hillbillies” during the 1960s for their down-home, laugh-out-loud humor. But with the rise of city-based sitcoms that dealt with contemporary issues instead of giant jackrabbits, the show eventually lost its audience.)
The sitcom centered on Jed Clampett (previously known for his unsightly Tin Man character in “The Wizard of Oz,” portrayed by Buddy Ebsen), the down-to-earth, compassionate head of his humble household. By sheer luck one day, while hunting for food for his family, Jed hit oil instead. Sudden wealth left him astonished, but it didn’t alter his rural lifestyle right away.
Decades later, my family and I move into a modern mansion in Beverly Hills, but the Clampetts, despite our new surroundings, remain unfazed and true to ourselves. I’m not Jed, but I can tell you that Granny, or Daisy Moses as she’s called, takes great pride in her healing abilities. And Ellie May, my 20-something-year-old daughter, is a tomboy through and through. She outmuscles, outtalks, and outshoots any boy we come across. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with animals.
Completing the ensemble is Jed’s nephew, the inventive Jethro Bodine (Max Baer Jr.), who fancies himself a ladies’ man and is always on the go. Regularly butting heads with the Clampett family’s rural traditions is Mr. Drysdale (Raymond Bailey), who is determined to keep their money in his bank, even going so far as to climb mountains for it. Unnoticed yet indispensable is Miss Jane Hathaway (Nancy Kulp), who manages to win over the family’s affection while diligently carrying out her secretarial duties for Mr. Drysdale.
As a gamer, I can tell you that way back in 1971, “The Beverly Hillbillies” wrapped up its TV series run. It’s not shocking now to learn that most of its middle-aged cast members have since left the stage. However, there’s one exception: the actor who brought Jethro to life continues to be with us.
Max Baer Jr. made his name as Jethro
Max Baer Jr., the sole surviving actor from the original cast of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” has had a bustling career beyond his sitcom days. Like Jethro, he’s ventured into entrepreneurship, building on the foundation laid by his boxing champion father, Max Baer. Before securing the role as Jethro, Baer made several guest appearances in various sitcoms and eventually found success in acting, writing, producing, and even starring in films like “Macon County Line” and “The Wild McCullochs.” However, he decided to retire from Hollywood in 1991. Notably, the low-budget film “Macon County Line,” costing just over $200,000, generated impressive profits with earnings surpassing $18 million.
For a period, Baer focused on creating movies, including the film adaptation of Bobbie Gentry’s haunting ballad “Ode to Billy Joe.” He aimed to build on his achievements by turning Madonna’s popular hit “Like A Virgin” into a movie. However, when ABC reportedly attempted to prevent the songwriters from selling their rights to Baer in 1984, he filed a lawsuit and was awarded over $2 million in damages. For years, Baer has endeavored to establish a casino and hotel with a “Beverly Hillbillies” theme in Douglas County, Nevada; the development project has been stalled due to ongoing legal issues.
Baer has not reprised his role as Jethro since its original run; for the cast reunion TV movie in 1981, he chose not to participate. He was absent as well during the transition of the show into a feature film, similar to “Bewitched” before it. However, it’s evident that Baer holds the bumbling character close to his heart.
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2024-07-29 14:59