Buddy Ebsen
Christian Rudolph Ebsen, Jr.
Born 1908
Actor, comedian and dancer Buddy Ebsen is best known for his role as Jed Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies" and detective Barnaby Jones. Ebsen a well-known dancer from a vaudeville, appeared in several early films, including one with Shirley Temple. He was originally cast as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately the aluminum dust used in the make-up got into his system. Ebsen had to drop out of shooting in order recuperate. When he returned he found out that he had been replaced with actor Jack Haley. In a contract dispute with MGM Ebsen found that he had time on his hands so he started sailing.
In 1941 he decided to apply for a Navy commission but was turned down even though he was spending time teaching seamanship to Naval Reserve OCS candidates. Ebsen applied for a commission in the Coast Guard. He was accepted and commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) in the Coast Guard. He served on the Navy frigate USS Pocatello, a weather ship that served on Station Able. He was honorably discharged a Lieutenant in 1946. Ebsen went on to various bit parts in movies, but his career really took off when Walt Disney hired him to play George Russel, Davey Crockett’s (Fess Parker), partner.
Buddy Ebsen crossed the bar on 6 July 2003.
LT Buddy Ebsen, USCGR