Biography
Born Christian Rudolph Ebsen on 2 April 1908 in Belleville, Illinois, the performer died on 6 July 2003 in Torrance, California. His father instructed him in dance, after which he partnered with sister Vilma to create a stage duo. Although he performed in the Ziegfeld Follies, motion pictures became his main outlet from the mid-1930s onward, frequently showcasing his dancing skills.
Among those early screen credits were Broadway Melody Of 1936 in 1935, Captain January in 1936 where he performed the song ‘At The Codfish Ball’, the pair of 1936 releases Born To Dance and Banjo On My Knee, Broadway Melody Of 1938 from 1937, and the two 1938 titles The Girl Of The Golden West and My Lucky Star. In 1939 he received the part of The Tin Man for The Wizard Of Oz, yet an allergy to the metallic makeup forced him to withdraw; Jack Haley assumed the role, though Ebsen’s uncredited vocal can still be heard on ‘We’re Off To See The Wizard’.
Further film work through the 1940s and 1950s included They Met In Argentina in 1941, Sing Your Worries Away in 1942, Under Mexicali Stars in 1950, Thunder In God’s Country in 1951, the 1954 releases Red Garters and Davy Crockett, King Of The Wild Frontier, and Attack in 1956. He also wrote the title song for the 1951 picture Behave Yourself!
The 1960s brought appearances in Breakfast At Tiffany’s in 1961, The Interns in 1962, Mail Order Bride in 1964, and The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band in 1968. Television guest spots encompassed Climax! in 1957, Maverick and Bonanza in 1959, Rawhide, Bronco and Gunsmoke in 1960, 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone, Gunslinger, Have Gun - Will Travel and Bus Stop in 1961, Tales Of Wells Fargo in 1962, Hawaii Five-O in 1971, Alias Smith And Jones in 1972, Burke’s Law in 1994, and the animated series King Of The Hill in 1999. His most prominent small-screen work featured lead parts in Northwest Passage beginning in 1958, The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 as Jed Clampett, Barnaby Jones in 1973, and Matt Houston in 1982.
Made-for-television movies comprised The Andersonville Trial in 1970, The Daughters Of Joshua Cabe in 1972, Tom Sawyer in 1973, Leave Yesterday Behind in 1978, The Return Of The Beverly Hillbillies in 1981, Stone Fox in 1987, and Working Tra$h in 1990. He served as producer on the 1979 television film The Paradise Connection. His final theatrical appearance united two signature series when he reprised Barnaby Jones for the 1993 screen version of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Among those early screen credits were Broadway Melody Of 1936 in 1935, Captain January in 1936 where he performed the song ‘At The Codfish Ball’, the pair of 1936 releases Born To Dance and Banjo On My Knee, Broadway Melody Of 1938 from 1937, and the two 1938 titles The Girl Of The Golden West and My Lucky Star. In 1939 he received the part of The Tin Man for The Wizard Of Oz, yet an allergy to the metallic makeup forced him to withdraw; Jack Haley assumed the role, though Ebsen’s uncredited vocal can still be heard on ‘We’re Off To See The Wizard’.
Further film work through the 1940s and 1950s included They Met In Argentina in 1941, Sing Your Worries Away in 1942, Under Mexicali Stars in 1950, Thunder In God’s Country in 1951, the 1954 releases Red Garters and Davy Crockett, King Of The Wild Frontier, and Attack in 1956. He also wrote the title song for the 1951 picture Behave Yourself!
The 1960s brought appearances in Breakfast At Tiffany’s in 1961, The Interns in 1962, Mail Order Bride in 1964, and The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band in 1968. Television guest spots encompassed Climax! in 1957, Maverick and Bonanza in 1959, Rawhide, Bronco and Gunsmoke in 1960, 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone, Gunslinger, Have Gun - Will Travel and Bus Stop in 1961, Tales Of Wells Fargo in 1962, Hawaii Five-O in 1971, Alias Smith And Jones in 1972, Burke’s Law in 1994, and the animated series King Of The Hill in 1999. His most prominent small-screen work featured lead parts in Northwest Passage beginning in 1958, The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 as Jed Clampett, Barnaby Jones in 1973, and Matt Houston in 1982.
Made-for-television movies comprised The Andersonville Trial in 1970, The Daughters Of Joshua Cabe in 1972, Tom Sawyer in 1973, Leave Yesterday Behind in 1978, The Return Of The Beverly Hillbillies in 1981, Stone Fox in 1987, and Working Tra$h in 1990. He served as producer on the 1979 television film The Paradise Connection. His final theatrical appearance united two signature series when he reprised Barnaby Jones for the 1993 screen version of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Albums
