Buddy Ebsen is best known for his characterization of Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies, followed closely by his role as Barnaby Jones in the TV drama of the same name. I frankly never cared for either of them. What interests me the most about Buddy Ebsen was a role that he didn’t play…that of the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (as seen at left). Originally cast in the role, he had to withdraw after he became deathly ill from breathing in the silver powder-based make-up which the Tin Man was required to wear. Due to time constraints during the filming, he was replaced by Jack Haley…and the make-up was replaced by a liquid-based substitute.
That isn’t to say that Buddy Ebsen didn’t partake in some roles that also greatly interest me. For instance, there’s his part of George Russel in the classic Disney tale of Davy Crockett, first seen on the weekly anthology Disneyland. Then of course, there’s The Twilight Zone episode The Prime Mover. And amidst a slew of Western TV series, he even had a role in The Andy Griffith Show. Whether playing his traditional cowboy role or performing in his earlier roles a dancer, Buddy Ebsen was always a class act.
I had first traded my friend Steve Cox some autograph or other to acquire the signed photo seen above. But later on I decided to try my luck myself and I sent off a nice photo of Ebsen in charachter in The Beverly Hillbillies on October 29, 1997. It took quite a while for it to come back, but it finally did. He had inscribed the picture as he typically did with the Clampettism “Welll Doggies!” I wonder if he was quoting his character or bemoaning his missed chance to be off to see the Wizard.
Autographs of 1997 will continue…
My favorite of his roles was that of “Doc” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, for some reason I often quote his first line in the movie: “Son, I need a friend.” I don’t know why.
Chris
November 26th, 2008
I’m not sure, but I think he was in “Captain January” with Shirley Temple; dancing with her.
Bev
November 26th, 2008
Im pretty sure he delivered me a pizza once during the stock market crash o’ 29
Buddy Epson
November 27th, 2008