How Old Is Jethro On The Beverly Hillbillies - A Look Back

The program itself aired its very last episode over five decades ago, which, as you can probably guess, means a great deal of time has passed. Because of this passage of years, only one of the original stars from that popular sitcom is still around. That person is Max Baer Jr., the fellow who played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies, and he is now 85 years old. He became the last living member of the cast after Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, passed away in 2015 when she was 82.

So, the person who gave us Jethro, a character many folks still recall with a smile, is indeed 85 years young. His portrayal of the good-hearted, if sometimes a bit slow, Jethro Bodine left a lasting impression on viewers. It's quite something, actually, to think about how long this show has been a part of our collective memory, and how one of its main faces continues to be a part of our world today.

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Table of Contents

• Max Baer Jr. - The Person Behind Jethro
• Just How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies Now?
• The Enduring Legacy - How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' Star Today?
• Jethro Bodine - A Character Study
  • Jethro's Role in the Clampett Family
  • Jethro's Education and Aspirations
• What Happened to the Actor Who Played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies After the Show?
• How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' Actor When the Show Ended?
• The Show's Impact and Max Baer Jr.'s Later Ventures
• The Beverly Hillbillies - A Television Phenomenon

Max Baer Jr. - The Person Behind Jethro

The man who gave us Jethro Bodine, Max Baer Jr., came into the world on December 4, 1937. He is an American actor, someone who also writes screenplays, produces films, and directs. He's most widely known for his portrayal of Jethro Bodine on the popular show, The Beverly Hillbillies. His father was Max Baer, a former heavyweight boxing champion of the world. The elder Max Baer held that title for nearly a full year, to be precise, 364 days. So, in a way, Max Baer Jr. carries a bit of a famous name from the world of sports, too.

Max Baer Jr. was born under the Sagittarius zodiac sign, which some people find interesting. He is, in fact, the last surviving cast member of The Beverly Hillbillies. This became true after the passing of Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, in 2015. He has had a career that goes beyond just acting, showing a range of talents in the entertainment business. He even directed a comedy film called Hometown U.S.A. in 1979. Before stepping back from some of his work, he made his home near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, which is a rather pretty place to be, I'd say.

Personal Details / Bio Data

Just How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies Now?

The question of how old is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies today really points to Max Baer Jr., the actor who brought that character to life. As of right now, Max Baer Jr. is 85 years old. This makes him the only person from the main cast of that classic show who is still around. It's quite a long time since the show first aired, and even since its final episode. He's been a part of American culture for many, many decades because of that role, you know.

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It's interesting to consider that his age today connects directly to the show's lasting appeal. People are still curious about the actors and the characters, even after so much time has passed. Max Baer Jr.'s continued presence means that a piece of that beloved program is still very much alive. It’s almost like a direct link to a different era of television, which is pretty cool, in a way.

The Enduring Legacy - How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' Star Today?

The lasting impact of The Beverly Hillbillies is quite clear when people still ask, how old is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' star today? Max Baer Jr. is 85, and his long life means he carries a significant piece of television history with him. He's been the last living member of the cast since 2015, when Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, passed away at the age of 82. This fact alone gives his current age a special meaning for fans of the show, I think.

His story, in some respects, is a classic example of what can happen in Hollywood. He became incredibly well-known as Jethro Bodine in that smash hit TV series, which ran from 1962. However, after The Beverly Hillbillies stopped airing, he found it tough to get acting work in Hollywood for about three years. This situation is often called "typecasting," where an actor becomes so associated with one character that it's hard for others to see them as anything else. It's a real challenge for many performers, actually.

Jethro Bodine - A Character Study

Jethro Bodine, the character, was a central figure in the Clampett family's adventures. He was a big, strong fellow, standing over 6 feet, 4 inches tall, which made him stand out. On the show, Jethro was the cousin of the main character, Jed Clampett, who was played by Buddy Ebsen. Even though he was Jed's cousin's son, Jethro always called Jed his "Uncle Jed." This family dynamic was a running gag on the show, and it showed the close, if a little mixed-up, relationships within the Clampett clan.

Jethro was the son of Jed's cousin, Pearl Bodine, and he also had a sister named Jethrine Bodine. He was the one who drove the Clampett family from their humble home to their new, wealthy life in California. Once they arrived, he just stayed on with them, mostly to try and further his education. This decision led to many funny situations, as Jethro tried to fit into the sophisticated world of Beverly Hills with his country ways.

Jethro's Role in the Clampett Family

Jethro's place in the Clampett family was pretty unique. He was the brawn of the group, often involved in physical tasks, though sometimes with clumsy results. The whole family, especially Granny, would often brag about Jethro's "sixth-grade education," seeing it as a big achievement. Yet, despite this pride, they often felt he was, well, a bit of an idiot, or at least very naive. In the first season of the show, Jethro was portrayed as simply innocent and new to the world, which made for some truly amusing moments, you know.

His family's attempts to guide him through life in Beverly Hills often went awry. For instance, a letter from his mother, Pearl, once reminded Jed to enroll Jethro in the fifth grade. When they tried to do this, a rather snooty headmistress in Beverly Hills didn't quite grasp that the "Jethro" they were trying to enroll was not a little boy, but a full-grown man. This kind of misunderstanding was a hallmark of the show's humor, really, showing the clash between their simple country life and the fancy city ways.

Jethro's Education and Aspirations

Jethro's desire to get more schooling, or at least try new things, was a big part of his character arc. He had many different career goals throughout the series. At one point, Jethro wanted to become a general. Mr. Drysdale, the Clampett's banker, always trying to keep them happy and their money in his bank, decided the safest idea was to get Jethro into a boys' military academy. This led to more comedic situations, as Jethro, being twice the size of the other boys, caused the commander to have some serious doubts. A mock battle at the academy even confused Granny and Jed, as they didn't quite understand what was going on, which is typical for them, I suppose.

Another time, a shady magician managed to sell his magic items to the very gullible Jethro. This showed Jethro's trusting nature and how easily he could be taken in by clever talk, which, in a way, made him quite endearing to viewers. His various attempts at different jobs, from a secret agent to a brain surgeon, always ended in comical failure, but his enthusiasm never really faded, which was part of his charm, obviously.

What Happened to the Actor Who Played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies After the Show?

After The Beverly Hillbillies stopped production, many people wondered what happened to Max Baer Jr., the actor most commonly known as Jethro Bodine. It looked so promising for him, given he had starred on one of the most popular shows on American television for nine seasons. However, as mentioned earlier, he faced what's often called "typecasting." He was so strongly identified as Jethro that it was tough for him to find other acting work in Hollywood for three years after the show concluded. This can be a real hurdle for actors, you know.

Despite this challenge, Max Baer Jr. did not step away from the entertainment business entirely. He is not just an actor; he is also a producer, a director, and a screenwriter. He put his skills to use behind the camera, which is where many performers find a second calling. His work includes directing the 1979 comedy Hometown U.S.A. This showed that his talents extended beyond just performing in front of the camera, which is a significant achievement, actually.

He eventually moved away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood to retire to his home at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. So, while he might not be appearing on screen as much, or at all, these days, his contributions to film and television are still there. He truly is a legend in the world of classic TV, and his story shows a lot about the ups and downs of a career in show business, you know.

How Old Is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' Actor When the Show Ended?

To figure out how old is Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies' actor when the show wrapped up, we need to look at the dates. The series ran from 1962 to 1971. Max Baer Jr. was born on December 4, 1937. So, when the show ended in 1971, he would have been 33 years old, turning 34 later that year. He was still quite a young man, really, when his most famous role came to a close. It's interesting to think about how much of his early career was defined by this one character, Jethro.

For someone so young to have such a recognizable part on a program that captured the hearts of so many viewers is quite something. He started playing Jethro when he was in his mid-twenties, and he continued with the role for nine seasons. That's a good chunk of time to spend playing one character, especially one as memorable as Jethro Bodine. It shaped his public image for decades to come, obviously.

The Show's Impact and Max Baer Jr.'s Later Ventures

The Beverly Hillbillies was, without a doubt, one of the most popular TV shows of the 1960s. It first aired in 1962 and continued to entertain audiences until 1971. Max Baer Jr. was a big part of that success, alongside Buddy Ebsen, who played Jed Clampett, Irene Ryan, who played Granny, and Donna Douglas, who played Elly May. The show's appeal was widespread, capturing the humor in the Clampett family's sudden wealth and their attempts to fit into high society.

Max Baer Jr.'s career, though heavily associated with Jethro, did extend to other areas of the entertainment world. He took on roles behind the scenes, showing his skills as a producer and director. For instance, he directed the movie Hometown U.S.A. in 1979. This kind of shift is not uncommon for actors who want more control over their creative projects or find new ways to express their talents after a long run on a popular series. It's a way of continuing to work in the field they love, but from a different angle, you know.

His father, Max Baer Sr., was also a well-known figure, especially in the boxing world. He was a heavyweight champion, a fact that many people might not connect to Jethro from The Beverly Hillbillies. This family background adds another layer to Max Baer Jr.'s personal story, showing a lineage of public figures, albeit in very different arenas. It's almost like a little piece of trivia that makes his life story even more interesting, I think.

The Beverly Hillbillies - A Television Phenomenon

The success of The Beverly Hillbillies was truly something to behold. It quickly became a sensation, drawing in huge numbers of viewers week after week. The premise was simple yet incredibly effective: a poor, backwoods family strikes it rich when oil is discovered on their land, and they move to the opulent surroundings of Beverly Hills. The humor came from the clash of cultures, as the Clampetts, with their simple ways and country logic, tried to make sense of their new, very different world. Max Baer Jr.'s Jethro was a key element in this comedic setup, with his innocent misunderstandings and sometimes outlandish ideas.

The show's popularity meant that its characters, including Jethro, became household names. People loved the quirky family and their adventures. The series ran for a good nine years, from 1962 to 1971, which is a considerable run for any television program. It's a testament to the writing, the performances, and the concept itself that it resonated with so many people for so long. Even today, decades later, the show is still remembered fondly, and its characters, like Jethro, remain iconic figures in television history, which is a pretty cool thing, if you ask me.