"Born Christian Ludolf Ebsen, Jr. on April 2, 1908 in Belleville, Illinois, Buddy’s family moved to Orlando, Florida in 1920 where his father became the manager of a dance studio and it was in this dance studio that Buddy learned to dance. Initially after graduating high school in 1926, he attended college with the intention of entering into a career in medicine, but family financial troubles soon after put an end to those dreams and he was forced to drop out of college. In search of a career, he moved to New York City in 1928 in order to try his luck as a dancer."

 

"In 1936, he got a chance to dance with America’s sweetheart, Shirley Temple, in “Captain January” and the following year he danced with Judy Garland, in “Broadway Melody of 1938”. Buddy's career was in full swing when he was cast as the Tin Man in MGM’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” in 1939. Due to an allergy to the aluminum dust used in the makeup for the character Ebsen had to step away from the role as he was hospitalized for an extended period of time."

 

"Upon recovery Ebsen sought an officer’s commission in the US Navy but was turned down. He then applied to the Coast Guard and was awarded a commission with the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade. During the war he served as Executive Officer on the Coast Guard manned Navy frigate USS Pocatello which recorded weather 1500 miles west of Seattle, Washington. Lieutenant Junior Grade Ebsen served through 1946." (TCM Archive)

 

After the war Buddy Ebsen would go on to work in both television and film. Some of his more notable film/television credits include "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and the character of George Russell in Disney's"Davy Crockett."

 

He would star for nine seasons or 274 episodes in the CBS sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies" and then in January of 1973 Buddy would go on to play the title role in "Barnaby Jones" for eight seasons. Ebsen's career would span over 70 years. 

 

Buddy Ebsen passed away on July 6, 2003 at the age of 95 years old. His ashes were scattered at sea. Lest We Forget.

John, thanks for sharing, you know all those years as a kid watching Beverly Hillbillies reruns, I never would have known. But not surprising, many actors of that generation served their country, that's just the way it was right?

And I had not put together that he was Barnaby Jones!

As a kid I remember him starring as Georgie (isn't that what Davey called him?) with Fess Parker in the Davey Crockett series, Of course I remember the other ones as well, but the Beverly Hillbillies was a "can't miss" at our house. It's still one of the most advertised attractions of the local nostalgia channel (Me TV).