Buddy Ebsen is an American actor and dancer who came to the limelight for his role as Jed Clampett in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” He also pulled out a remarkable performance as the title character in the series Barnaby Jones. Buddy
What Is Buddy Ebsen Net Worth
Ebsen had just under 100 movie credits and had accumulated a net worth of about $2 million. He earned a fortune from his almost century-long career as an actor, appearing in many successful TV series and short films.
This article focuses on Buddy Ebsen’s net worth, earnings, biography, personal life, and other details. Let’s dive in for more information!
Buddy Ebsen’s Net Worth Annually
Buddy Ebsen earned his fortune as an actor. As a result, no sources talk about his annual income. And since he passed away about two decades ago, little to no information is available about him.
All we know is that he accumulated $2 million from his career, but that is nothing compared to the $60 million fortune by Jack White.
How Did He Get Rich?
Buddy Ebsen is one of the wealthiest TV actors in the United States. His net worth at the time of his death on July 6, 2003, was estimated at $2 million. Buddy earned his fortune from his career as an actor, dancer, and film producer.
As mentioned, Buddy Ebsen had a long-lasting acting career, with just under 100 movie credits at his death. He was featured in TV series and short films, as will be presented later in this article.
Biography
Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., popularly known as Buddy Ebsen, was born on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, United States. He was the only boy in a family with five children. That means all his siblings were girls.
His father, Christian Ludolf Ebsen Sr., was born in Germany and moved to the United States in 1988. He worked in the country as a choreographer and owned a dance studio. That molded Buddy into a dancer since he was exposed to it as a child.
His mother, Frances, was also born in Germany and was a painter. The family lived in Belleville, where Buddy Ebsen was raised until he turned 10. That was when they relocated to Palm Beach County, Florida, before finally settling in Orlando in 1920. Buddy and his sisters learned how to dance at their father’s dance studio in Orlando.
Buddy Ebsen graduated from Orlando Hing School in 1926 and joined the University of Florida to pursue a medical career. A year later, he enrolled at Rollins College.
Unfortunately, Buddy Ebsen dropped out of college at 20 years old because of financial problems. The family found itself in this situation due to the collapse of the Florida land boom.
As a result, Ebsen went to New York to try his career in dancing, but he also started working at a soda fountain shop.
| Full Name: | Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr. |
| Nick Name: | Buddy Ebsen |
| Birth Place: | Belleville, Illinois, U.S. |
| Birthday: | April 2, 1908 |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Age (How Old): | Died on July 6, 2003 (age 95) |
| Weight: | 75KG (165 pounds) |
| Height (How Tall): | 6 ft 2 inches (1.88m) |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife: | Dorothy Ebsen (March 3, 1985 – July 6, 2003, when he died) |
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Parent’s Name: |
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| Kids/Children Name: | Bonnie Ebsen, Kiki Ebsen, Dustin Ebsen, Susannah Ebsen, Elizabeth Ebsen, Cathy Ebsen, Alix Ebsen |
| Siblings: |
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| College: | University of Florida
Rollins College |
| Profession: | Actor, Dancer, Film Producer, author |
| Social Media Accounts: | Unavailable |
Career and Awards
Buddy Ebsen had a better career than Billy Gardell, David A Arnold, and many other actors. is recognized for his role in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” He became a star in the series, but what was his career like before his breakthrough?
Bubby was already 54 years old when he got the role of Jed Clampett in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Before then, he spent much of his career acting on the Broadway stage. Buddy’s Hollywood career only took off after moving to Hollywood and being hired by MGM studios.
He did not take lead roles in many films before, but he found himself on big stages as a dancer. He even danced with some of the industry’s superstars, such as Shirley Temple and Judy Garland.
Buddy also landed the role of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz film. Unfortunately, he didn’t last there as he developed complications with the makeup after trading his role with Ray Bolger. He had to give it up!
Buddy Ebsen took a break from acting in 1941, only returning to it in 1949. During that time, he served as a damage control officer and later an executive officer in the Coast Guard-crewed Navy.
His return to acting saw him debut on an episode of “The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre.” He had a flourishing career afterward, appearing in many short films and TV series.
As mentioned, Buddy Evsen had close to 100 movie credits. We cannot list all of them but only highlight a few in the charts below.
Buddy Ebsen TV credits:
| Year | Role | Title |
| 1999 | Chet Elderson (voice) | King of the Hill |
| 1994 | Louie Pike | Burke’s Law |
| 1984–1985 | Roy Houston | Matt Houston |
| 1975 | Barnaby Jones | Cannon |
| 1973–1980 | Barnaby Jones | Barnaby Jones |
| 1972 | Phil Archer | Alias Smith and Jones |
| 1972 | Cactus Murphy | Bonanza |
| 1962–1971 | Jed Clampett | The Beverly Hillbillies |
| 1961 | Print Quimby | Gunsmoke |
| 1961 | David Browne | The Andy Griffith Show |
Buddy Ebsen Film Credits
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1990 | Working Tra$h | Vandevere Lodge |
| 1987 | Stone Fox | Grandpa |
| 1981 | Fire on the Mountain | John Vogelin |
| 1981 | Return of the Beverly Hillbillies | Jed Clampett |
| 1979 | The Paradise Connection | Stuart Douglas |
| 1978 | The Critical List | Charles Sprague |
| 1978 | The Bastard | Benjamin Edes |
| 1978 | Leave Yesterday Behind | Doc |
| 1976 | Smash-Up on Interstate 5 | Al Pearson |
| 1973 | The President’s Plane is Missing | Vice President Kermit Madigan |
| 1973 | Tom Sawyer | Muff Potter |
| 1973 | The Horror at 37,000 Feet | Glenn Farlee |
| 1970 | The Andersonville Trial | Dr. John Bates |
| 1968 | The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band | Calvin Bower |
| 1959 | Frontier Rangers | Sergeant Hunk Marriner |
Buddy Ebsen has also been an author with a few credits. He authored or co-authored the following books:
- Polynesian Concept, with George A. Gunston (1972)
- The Other Side of Oz, with Stephen Cox (1994)
- Kelly’s Quest (2000)
- Sizzling Cold Case, with Darlene Quinn
Buddy Ebsen and Dean Martin dance moves
Personal Life
Buddy Ebsen did not have luck with marriage. He first married Ruth Cambridge in 1936 and was blessed with two daughters. Unfortunately, their union ended in a divorce.
He tried to love again and tied the knot with a fellow lieutenant Nancy Walcott in 1945. Their marriage lasted for 39 years, having four daughters and a son. But like the first one, this also ended in a divorce.
Apart from being an entertainer, Buddy Ebsen also had other interests. He was a folk artist and an avid coin collector.
Buddy co-founded the Beverly Hills Coin Club in 1987 with Chris Aable. He collected many rare four-dollar gold pieces worth $200,000. These were sold at different auctions when he was alive and after his death.
Talking of his death, Buddy Ebsen died of respiratory failure while receiving treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center on July 6, 2003. His body was cremated at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California.
Buddy Ebsen’s biography
Assets
No sources mention Buddy Eben’s assets. It can be assumed he kept these private and never flaunted his wealth to the public when he was alive. Now that about two decades have passed since his death, we are unlikely to know what he owned.
FAQs
What Was Buddy Ebsen Worth At Death?
Buddy Ebsen died on July 6, 2003. His net worth at that time was estimated at $2 million, which he earned from his successful acting career.
Is Anyone From The Beverly Hillbillies TV Series Still Alive?
Yes. The death of the co-star Donna Douglas left Bare as the only surviving cast member of this highly successful TV series.
Where is The Birthplace Of Buddy Ebsen?
Buddy Ebsen was born on April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, United States. His parents, however, were born in Germany and moved to the United States.
Was Buddy Ebsen In The Military?
Yes. Buddy Ebsen served in the United States Coast Guard reserve during World War II. He only returned to acting later and debuted in a TV series.
What Happened To Buddy Ebsen In Wizard Of Oz?
Buddy Ebsen played the scarecrow role in the Wizard of Oz before switching to Tin Man. Unfortunately, the makeup triggered an allergic reaction, and he had to give it up even after recovery.
