When The Beverly Hillbillies made its TV debut in 1962, it was dismissed by critics as little more than a hillbilly cartoon, but the viewers knew better. With its fish-out-of-water premise, lovable characters, and a cast that played it all completely straight, the show quickly became a phenomenon—climbing to the top of the Nielsen ratings and staying there for much of its run. Week after week, millions tuned in to see Jed (Buddy Ebsen), Granny (Irene Ryan), Elly May (Donna Douglas) and Jethro (Max Baer, Jr.) navigate the absurdities of high society from their Beverly Hills mansion, still clinging to their country ways.
But what happened off-camera was just as fun, whether it was cast parties in costume, surprise visitors on set or moments of quiet camaraderie. Those moments between takes offered a different glimpse of life at the Clampett mansion. These behind-the-scenes photos reveal a show that, for all its silliness, was made by a group of professionals who clearly enjoyed each other’s company.
So, grab your possum stew and settle in and be sure y’all come back now, ya hear?
1. Studio jalopy
On the studio lot, the cast of The Beverly Hillbillies prepares to film another scene in the Clampett family’s truck. Buddy Ebsen (Jed), Max Baer Jr. (Jethro) and Donna Douglas (Elly May) are all smiles, but not Irene Ryan, who stays in character with her trademark scowl and shotgun. The dog? That’s Duke, Elly May’s loyal bloodhound. Though the show took place in Beverly Hills, much of the series was shot on backlots like this one, where soundstages were turned into swanky mansions.
2. At SeaWorld, Clampett-style
Filming on location brought The Beverly Hillbillies cast to some wild places—including a water park! In this behind-the-scenes shot, Granny (Irene Ryan), Jethro (Max Baer Jr.) and Elly May (Donna Douglas) share a laugh with two naval officers (played by guest stars Tom and Dick Smothers) as they prepare for a scene at SeaWorld San Diego. The setting doubled as a naval training facility in the episode, but the real challenge may have been staying dry.
3. Reflections of Granny
In this striking behind-the-scenes moment, actress Irene Ryan sits at her dressing room vanity—half in character as Granny and half as herself. The mirror perfectly captures the transformation, with Ryan’s stern, shotgun-toting Granny peering back at her refined real-life self.
4. Swingin’ the cement pond set
It’s 1965, and the line between the worlds of The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres gets wonderfully blurry at a festive on-set cast party. Donna Douglas, ever radiant as Elly May Clampett, looks on with a smile as Irene Ryan—granny gear ditched in favor of a mod floral dress—and Green Acres star Eddie Albert cut loose on the dance floor, champagne glass and cigarette in hand. In the background, a glamorous Eva Gabor joins the moment. It’s a rare, candid peek at the crossover camaraderie between two of CBS’s rural comedy juggernauts, proving that even off-screen, the stars knew how to have a hoe-down good time.
5. Notes, laughs and hillbilly gold
Inside a paneled office brimming with scripts, legal pads, and studio coffee cups, The Beverly Hillbillies‘ creative team shares a candid moment of joy. Series creator and executive producer Paul Henning (center) bursts into laughter while actor Max Baer Jr. (Jethro Bodine) reads what appears to be a particularly amusing page of dialogue or network note. Standing behind them, actor Buddy Ebsen (Jed Clampett).
6. Granny and Elly May hit the road
In this delightful promotional shot for The Beverly Hillbillies, Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett) looks gleefully ready to ride, while Irene Ryan (Granny) clutches on for dear life behind her—complete with oversized goggles and an exaggerated expression of terror. Seated on a classic Triumph motorcycle inside their Beverly Hills mansion set, the image is pure sitcom gold.
7. Pointed fingers and period costumes
It’s triple trouble for Paul Henning, the creator of The Beverly Hillbillies, as he’s humorously ambushed by three of his cast members—Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, and Nancy Kulp—decked out in full old-fashioned garb. Whether for a themed episode, a promotional gag or just a bit of fun on the lot, the trio’s mock-serious expressions and wagging fingers contrast hilariously with Henning’s wide grin. The image captures the spirited camaraderie behind the scenes of the iconic sitcom, where the cast and creators often blurred the lines between performance and playful mischief.
8. Possum Day
The cast of The Beverly Hillbillies goes all out in this spirited behind-the-scenes shot celebrating the fictional holiday of “Possum Day.” Decked out in sashes, streamers and patriotic bunting, the Clampetts and company ride high in their signature jalopy, reimagined here as a makeshift parade float.
9. A Ball of twine and a heap of confusion
Granny (Irene Ryan) proudly presents Jed (a clean-shaven Buddy Ebsen) with a mysterious homemade creation—what appears to be a giant ball of string. On The Beverly Hillbillies, even the simplest object could become a source of mischief, misunderstanding, or hillbilly ingenuity. Scenes like this highlight the show’s unique blend of physical comedy and fish-out-of-water charm.
10. Jane Hathaway’s family portrait gets the Hollywood treatment
In one of The Beverly Hillbillies’ most offbeat visual gags, Nancy Kulp’s face was superimposed multiple times to create this intentionally absurd “family portrait” of Jane Hathaway’s relatives.
11. Elly May goes international
Donna Douglas flashes a radiant smile between takes while filming The Beverly Hillbillies’ third season two-parter “The Clampetts in London.” Shot partially on location in England, the episodes followed the Clampett clan as they traveled overseas—and Elly May, naturally, brought a bit of Southern charm to the British countryside.
12. Granny takes to the battlefield
Irene Ryan, with North and South Civil War Soldier re-enactors, challenging a Yankee (shot on location in Branson, Missouri, August 23, 1969, for the “Silver Dollar City Fair” five-episode arc in October 1969).
13. A quiet moment with Granny and Elly May
In a serene break from the chaos of the Clampetts’ Beverly Hills life, Irene Ryan and Donna Douglas share a candid moment between takes. Whether perched on the back of the family truck or simply enjoying the sunshine on the set of The Beverly Hillbillies, the real-life bond between Ryan and Douglas shines through.
14. Beverly Hills shenanigans
Donna Douglas and Max Baer Jr. bring their offscreen playfulness to life in this joyful behind-the-scenes moment on the set of The Beverly Hillbillies. With Elly May perched atop cousin Jethro’s shoulders, their infectious smiles and easy chemistry capture the heart of what made the series such a hit—family fun, Southern charm and a whole lot of mischief.
15. Rockin’ Granny
Irene Ryan, in full Granny gear, takes a well-earned break between takes on the patio of the Clampetts’ mansion. With one foot kicked up and her signature no-nonsense expression intact, Ryan effortlessly channels the spirit of Daisy May Moses—tough, wise, and unimpressed by fancy trappings.
16. ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ celebrates Easter
In a photo that could only come from The Beverly Hillbillies, the Clampetts put their own homespun twist on holiday festivities. With their jalopy covered in flowers and streamers, the family poses with a giant Easter Bunny for what appears to be the most eccentric parade float this side of Bugtussle, Kentucky. Granny (Irene Ryan) looks like she’s ready to give that rabbit a talking-to, while Jed (Buddy Ebsen), Jethro (Max Baer Jr.), and Elly May (Donna Douglas) beam with festive pride.
