Are you a fan of classic Hollywood?
If so, then you've surely heard of the legendary Buddy Ebsen - the dancing and singing sensation
whose career spanned over seven decades.
Best known for his role as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, Ebsen was a true
icon.
He became world-renowned for his unforgettable performances in movies, TV shows, and Broadway
productions.
However, throughout his life, rumors swirled about his personal life and career that left
many fans wondering what the truth behind the headlines was.
Well, the wait is finally over.
Buddy Ebsen's daughter has confirmed the rumors, putting an end to the speculations that have
plagued her father's legacy for years.
In this facts-packed video, we will delve into the life and career of Buddy Ebsen, exploring
the man behind the myth and shedding light on some of the most talked-about rumors about
his life.
So, get ready to join us on a fascinating journey through the life of one of Hollywood's
most beloved stars.
Factsverse Presents: Buddy Ebsen's Daughter Finally Confirms the Rumors
Ebsen Remained Happy And Grateful
Buddy Ebsen was a man who always put his family first and lived by a set of uncompromising
morals and values.
In the serene landscape of the Santa Monica Mountains, where he had a sprawling 36-acre
ranch, Ebsen found solace in the company of his seven children, teaching them the value
of perseverance and self-belief.
This idyllic image of Ebsen, accompanied with the many life lessons that she learned from
her father, is exactly how Buddy’s daughter Kiki wishes to remember him.
Known to millions as the charming Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy's road to
stardom was not without its bumps.
Buddy was a middle child with four sisters, born as Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr. on April
2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois.
Buddy's father, Christian Ludolf Ebsen Sr., was a choreographer and physical fitness advocate
who owned a dance studio and a natatorium for the local school district, while his mother,
Frances, was a talented painter and homemaker.
Buddy and his sisters learned to dance at his father's dance studio in Orlando, Florida,
where the family moved when he was ten years old.
As a teen, he attended Orlando High School and became a member of John M. Cheney Chapter,
Order of DeMolay.
After graduating, Ebsen attended the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Although he initially wanted to pursue a medical career, financial difficulties caused by the
collapse of the Florida land boom forced Buddy to switch gears and reevaluate his future
plans.
As a young man, he dropped out of college to pursue his dreams in New York City as a
song-and-dance man, determined to reunite his family after losing everything in the
land boom collapse.
Although he landed some TV gigs here and there and enjoyed an active career onstage, it wasn't
until he struck gold as Jed Clampett at the age of 54 that Buddy became a household name.
However, his journey to fame wasn't without setbacks.
In fact, as you’ll soon learn, one of his earliest roles almost killed him!
Despite that unfortunate turn of events, which we’ll get to in a moment, Buddy went on
to star in several successful TV shows.
But while he eventually obtained considerable success, Buddy remained humble, instilling
in his children the value of hard work and dedication.
And when it came to matters of the heart, Buddy proved that it's never too late for
love, finding happiness with his third wife, Dorothy, in his later years.
Today, Buddy’s daughter Kiki is paying tribute to her father's legacy with a new cabaret-style
jazz show, celebrating the life of the man who taught her to find her own voice and to
never give up, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Through her performances, Kiki hopes to honor the memory of her father, a man who pointed
at the stars and reminded her that while life is full of challenges, that's what makes it
worth living.
Recently after entering the spotlight, Kiki has broken her silence and has opened up about
her father’s life and career.
Keep watching to find out what she had to say about some of the biggest rumors surrounding
her dad’s early career.
Buddy’s Brush With Death
The Hollywood legend, Buddy Ebsen, would have celebrated his 115th birthday on April 2,
2023.
He passed away 20 years ago in 2003 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that will
surely endure for many years to come.
Looking back on things, it's hard to imagine that his first big break nearly derailed his
entire career, but that’s exactly what went down.
The late actor was originally slated to play the Tin Woodman in the beloved classic "The
Wizard of Oz," but fate had other plans.
"I didn't really know much about 'The Wizard of Oz,'" shared his daughter Kiki Ebsen when
talking to Fox News.
It wasn't until after her father's passing at the age of 95 that she stumbled upon a
trunk filled with treasures from his storied career dating back to the 1920s.
This discovery inspired her to create a one-woman show, "My Buddy: The Other Side of Oz," which
explores his life and legacy.
Ebsen's career began in vaudeville and nightclubs, where his tall frame and show-stopping dance
moves caught the attention of filmmakers.
When he was approached about "The Wizard of Oz," he was initially quite thrilled.
"It was going to be a major career advancement for him," Kiki explained.
However, he was ultimately replaced as the Tin Man due to a horrific reaction to the
aluminum dust in the body paint.
According to Kiki, Hollywood producer and renowned lyricist Arthur Freed had secretly
told Buddy that he was going to be playing The Scarecrow, but later changed his mind
and gave him the role of The Tin Woodman.
The original costume made out of a stove pipe was too bulky and painful to dance in, so
it was remade with cardboard.
The makeup for the character was also a challenge, as it was made with real aluminum dust and
melted easily under the hot lights.
After several days of being coated in toxic and wildly uncomfortable makeup, Buddy began
to have difficulty breathing, but he was afraid to speak out and potentially lose the role.
Eventually, he had to be rushed to the hospital and stayed there for two weeks under an oxygen
tank.
It took him six weeks to recover fully.
When he finally returned to work, he found out he had been replaced by Jack Haley.
To make matters worse, the studio proceeded to feed him a string of bad films to act in
and spun the story of his illness as a simple allergic reaction instead of aluminum powder
poisoning.
Following that incident, Buddy struggled to find quality roles in Hollywood and returned
to the stage.
Walt Disney later gave him the opportunity to become a star in "Davy Crockett: King of
the Wild Frontier.", which was a much-needed boost at the time.
Ebsen enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 1962 with his role as Jed Clampett, the mustachioed
patriarch in the CBS sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies."
The show, which followed a farm family from the Ozarks who moved to Beverly Hills after
striking oil, was initially criticized but became a huge success, running until 1971.
Kiki remembered the show as a source of great joy and laughter and recalled how her father
was surprised by its success.
Despite being torn to shreds by critics in the first year, the show featured some of
the best casting and funniest writing around.
Following the show's run, Ebsen went on to star in "Barnaby Jones," another hit television
show that ran for 8 years.
Buddy Pulled The Plug On Barnaby Jones
According to reports, Ebsen made the bold decision to cancel the show himself after
eight successful seasons.
The reason?
He was finally ready to move on with his life, and his health issues made it difficult for
him to continue with the rigorous schedule of filming.
But Buddy's creativity and passion never ceased.
Even after the cancellation of the show, he continued to make appearances in TV movies
and guest roles, showcasing his immense talent and versatility.
A few of his later acting credits include roles in TV shows such as Matt Houston and
King of the Hill.
He even ventured into writing, penning an autobiography entitled "The Other Side of
Oz" in 1993, as well as a Sizzling Cold Case, a mystery novel based on Barnaby Jones.
Aside from his acting and writing, Buddy pursued his other passions, including painting, sailing,
and folk music.
His love for the arts knew no bounds, and he remained a true artist until the end of
his life.
Buddy Ebsen left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and will always be
remembered as a true icon.
He died of respiratory failure on July 6, 2003, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire
generations to come.
Words To Live By
During a recent interview, Kiki, who pursued a career in music, recalled her father's wise
words during a moment of extreme nervousness before a recital.
According to her, he took her outside, showed her the stars, and reminded her that everyone
is just a speck on a speck on a speck in the sky.
Suddenly, his kind words put everything into perspective for her and gave her comfort.
She now lives by his advice to have fun, do what you love, and always follow your heart.
Clearly, in spite of everything that he went through, Buddy Ebsen was a man who never let
anything hold him back from pursuing his dreams.
Sure, he almost died because of that ill-fated “Oz” role, but did that stop him in his
tracks?
No!
And honestly, if he were here with us today, he would likely remind us all to never let
adversity, strife, or minor failures get us down.
After all, there is nothing more powerful than perseverance!
We're just about out of time for this video, but before we wrap things up, we'd love to
hear from you.
Did you know that Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man in the iconic classic
Hollywood film Wizard Of Oz, but lost the role after suffering a terrifying reaction
to the aluminum-based dust that was used as makeup?
Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your favorite memories of Buddy Ebsen
as well.
As always, thanks for watching!