“Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed …”
If you know the rest of the lyrics to that theme song, you might be a redneck … or just a fan of the St. Louis area’s most famous “redneck:” Buddy Ebsen!
Ebsen, who’s best-known for playing mountaineer-turned-millionaire Jed Clampett in the iconic TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies,” would’ve turned 107 today.
He was born April 2, 1908, in Belleville, Illinois, which is about 15 miles east of downtown St. Louis.
Although he got his start in theater, Ebsen eventually moved to Hollywood in 1935 to become a movie star.
In addition to “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Ebsen is remembered for his roles as Holly Golightly’s (played by Audrey Hepburn) estranged husband, Doc, in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the title character in the 1970s detective series “Barnaby Jones.”
Ebsen served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and had earned the rank of lieutenant when he was honorably discharged in 1946.
In 1991, Ebsen received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame at 6303 Delmar. “Beverly Hillbillies” author Steve Cox accepted on his behalf.
Ebsen died July 6, 2003, at the age of 95.
The Moonrise Hotel offers a suite dedicated to Buddy Ebsen, packed with amenities that would send Jed Clampett over the moon!
Book your stay today!