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Donna Douglas was a tomboy long before she played Elly Mae on The Beverly Hillbillies
The actor was a pitcher on an all-boys softball team.
One of the best things about watching The Beverly Hillbillies was how earnest and confident the Clampett family was. While most people allow money to warp their personalities into something far more sinister, the Clampett family stayed their same, lovable selves throughout the series. Try as other characters might to change them, those hillbillies were comfortable with themselves, and many people could stand to be more like them.
As a tomboy, an animal lover, and a woman who wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty, Elly Mae was a well-loved character in The Beverly Hillbillies.
During an interview with The Lima News, Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, explained that much of her character's personality wasn't fabricated; Douglas herself had actually been raised as a tomboy.
"Actually, I didn't have any choice in the matter," said Douglas. "It was strictly a matter of survival."
Douglas revealed that she was the only girl in a family of boys. In fact, there were very few young girls in her neighborhood growing up, and Douglas was frequently surrounded by boys. However, the actor didn't let that stop her from having a fun time. She quickly adapted and didn't shy away from activity just because of her gender.
"I was a pitcher on the boys' softball team for so long," she said. "I was fourteen before I found out there was a girls' team."
The actor acknowledged what a big help her upbringing was in the casting process. "I guess I was unknowingly preparing for the role of Elly Mae," she said.
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