'Beverly Hillbillies' star Donna Doughlas dies at 82

Actress Donna Doughlas, known for playing Elly May Clampett on 1960s sitcom 'The Beverly Hillbillies' has passed away. She was 82.
Doughlas died of pancreatic cancer on New year's Eve at Baton Rouge General Hospital, near her home in Zachary, Louisiana, confirmed her niece-in-law, Charlene Smith, reported USA Today.
Douglas' death leaves only one member of 'The Beverly Hillbilles' original cast still alive: Max Baer Jr, who played Elly May's cousin, Jethro. He is 77.
"She was Elly May until the day she died. When I saw her for autograph signings or other gatherings, she always dressed the same with pink or blue and of course those signature pigtails," Baer told the website RumorFix.

Douglas, a former Miss Baton Rouge and Miss New Orleans, was born in Pride, Louisiana, and returned to live in Zachary, after her time in Hollywood, to be near her only child, son Danny Bourgeois.
She is survived by Danny, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one brother and other extended family members, Smith said.

She was married and divorced twice, including the second time, to 'The Beverly Hillbillies director', Robert Leeds. Smith said the family plans a private funeral.
She got famous by playing Elly May - the sexy blond Clampett daughter who never seemed to be aware of her effect on men, and who referred to their Beverly Hills mansion swimming pool as the 'SEE-ment pond'.

Douglas will be remembered as co-starring opposite Elvis Presley in the 1966 film 'Frankie and Johnny'.