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5 Shocking Secrets And The Last Surviving Star Of The Beverly Hillbillies: What’s New In 2025?

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Over sixty years after the Clampett family first struck "Black Gold" and moved to the world's most glamorous zip code, *The Beverly Hillbillies* remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant sitcoms in television history. While the show's premise—a poor, uneducated family from the Ozarks suddenly becoming millionaires and moving to Beverly Hills—is simple, its enduring impact and the fascinating lives of its cast members continue to generate immense curiosity in December 2025.

From Tony nominations and real-life casino empires to the surprising fact that only one core cast member is still alive today, the story of the Clampetts is far richer than just a bubbling crude. This deep dive uncovers the latest news, the tragic and triumphant post-show careers, and the multi-million dollar business venture still being pursued by the last surviving star of this classic series.

The Complete Clampett Family Biography: Where Are They Now in 2025?

The core cast of *The Beverly Hillbillies*—Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr.—created some of the most iconic characters in television history. As of 2025, Max Baer Jr. is the only surviving member of the principal cast.

  • Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett)
    • Full Name: Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr.
    • Character Role: The kind, level-headed patriarch who discovered the oil, making the family rich.
    • Post-Show Career: Ebsen successfully transitioned to another hit series, starring as the title character in the detective drama *Barnaby Jones* from 1973 to 1980, proving his incredible versatility outside of the Jed Clampett role.
    • Death: Died July 6, 2003, at age 95.
  • Irene Ryan (Daisy "Granny" Moses)
    • Full Name: Irene Noblitt Ryan
    • Character Role: Jed’s feisty, shotgun-toting mother-in-law, famous for her "rheumatiz" remedies and "hillbilly medicine."
    • Post-Show Career: After the show ended, Ryan made a triumphant return to her roots in theater. She earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Berthe in the original 1972 Broadway production of *Pippin*.
    • Death: Died April 26, 1973, at age 70, shortly after her success in *Pippin*.
  • Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett)
    • Full Name: Doris Ione Smith Douglas
    • Character Role: The beautiful, animal-loving daughter who treated her "critters" like family and preferred the "cement pond" to a swimming pool.
    • Post-Show Career: Douglas briefly obtained a real estate license after the series concluded, though she primarily focused on gospel singing, public speaking, and appearances at Christian events in her later years.
    • Death: Died January 1, 2015, at age 82.
  • Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine)
    • Full Name: Maximilian Adelbert Baer Jr.
    • Character Role: Jed’s dim-witted but charming nephew, who aspired to be a "double-naught spy" and a brain surgeon.
    • Current Status: The sole surviving member of the core cast as of 2025. His post-show career is the most unique and continues to make headlines.
  • Raymond Bailey (Milburn Drysdale)
    • Full Name: Raymond Bailey
    • Character Role: The greedy, high-strung president of The Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills, whose sole mission was to keep the Clampett fortune in his bank.
    • Death: Died April 15, 1980, at age 75.

The Last Hillbilly Standing: Max Baer Jr.'s Multi-Million Dollar Casino Empire

One of the most surprising and ongoing stories from the cast involves Max Baer Jr., the actor who played Jethro Bodine. After leaving Hollywood, Baer Jr. leveraged his character's fame into a massive entrepreneurial endeavor, a story that is still developing in 2025.

Unlike his castmates who continued in traditional acting roles, Baer Jr. made a conscious decision to shift into business, acquiring the merchandising and licensing rights to *The Beverly Hillbillies* in the 1980s. His goal? To build a themed entertainment complex that would honor the show and the "hillbilly" persona he immortalized.

The "Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino" Saga

For more than a decade, Max Baer Jr. has been working on his plan to construct a massive hotel and casino complex in Nevada, a project frequently referred to as "Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino." This ambitious venture, which has seen various iterations and locations, aims to be a full-scale resort.

The vision for the complex includes a themed hotel, a casino floor featuring *Beverly Hillbillies*-branded slot machines, and a retail entertainment area. While the project has faced numerous regulatory and financial hurdles over the years, the persistent efforts of Baer Jr. to bring a major piece of television nostalgia to the gaming world are a testament to his determination.

The latest updates confirm that Baer Jr. remains focused on licensing and developing the brand, ensuring that the legacy of his character, Jethro, lives on in a unique, highly profitable way. This pivot from acting to becoming a licensing mogul is arguably the most successful post-show business career of any classic sitcom star.

The Enduring Cultural Clash: Why The Hillbillies Still Matter in 2025

The show, which aired on CBS from 1962 to 1971, was a massive hit, often ranking as the number one show in the country. Its success wasn't just about slapstick comedy; it was a clever commentary on the cultural clash between rural and urban America, poverty and sudden wealth, and simplicity versus sophistication.

The core plot revolves around Jed Clampett's accidental discovery of oil ("Black Gold") on his land in the Ozarks, leading to a multi-million dollar payout and their subsequent move to the luxurious Kirkeby Mansion in Beverly Hills, California. The Clampetts' quaint, Appalachian ways—like mistaking the swimming pool for a "cement pond" and Milburn Drysdale’s office for a place to store their money—provided the central humor.

The 2025 Streaming Revival and Reboot Buzz

Despite ending over fifty years ago, the show is experiencing a renewed interest, fueled by streaming platforms. In a significant update for fans, the series was recently added to The Roku Channel in March 2025, introducing the Clampetts to a new generation of viewers. This move confirms the show's lasting appeal and the value of its intellectual property.

Furthermore, the persistent rumors of a modern reboot or prequel series continue to circulate in Hollywood. While no official new series has been greenlit, the continued search interest, the availability of full episodes labeled "2025 NEW" on platforms like YouTube, and the addition to major streaming services all indicate that the appetite for the Clampetts' adventures is far from satisfied. The enduring themes of wealth, class, and the pursuit of the American Dream ensure that the story of Jed, Granny, Elly May, and Jethro will remain a topic of discussion for years to come.

The comedic genius of creator Paul Henning, who also created *Petticoat Junction* and *Green Acres*, lies in his ability to use the Clampetts' innocence to satirize the pretentious society of Beverly Hills. The show’s cultural footprint is undeniable, influencing decades of television and keeping the image of the kind-hearted mountaineer alive in pop culture.

Whether you remember Granny's moonshine, Elly May's critters, or Jethro's ambition to be a spy, the legacy of *The Beverly Hillbillies* is secure. Its story of an unexpected fortune and the culture shock that followed is a timeless narrative that continues to resonate with audiences, making it a valuable asset in the 2025 streaming wars.

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