Beyond his acting career, which made him globally famous, Buddy Ebsen played multiple sports, starting in high school and continuing throughout his adult life.
Buddy Ebsen was influenced by an athletic father who was a choreographer and physical-fitness advocate and who operated a natatorium. The swimming connection didn’t escape junior Ebsen, who showcased his prowess by competing in high school (Orlando, FL) and winning a Florida State swimming championship.
Ebsen at sea (photo courtesy of Dawn Wakefield)
From swimming, it was a hop, step, and jump to sailing. Ebsen was not only an avid sailor, but also a competitive yachtsman who owned a boat-building company. He was active in thisles sailing and racing catamarans out of the Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Harbor, California, readily recognizable by the sailing garb he wore regularly–a signature red long-sleeved shirt.
Ebsen co-designed the Polynesian Concept, a 37-foot fiberglass production cruising catamaran. He raced a wooden model in the 1968 Transpacific Yacht Race (TransPac), where he won in the multihull class. The following year, Ebsen won the 1969 Multihull TransPac.
Devoting a good share of his retirement years to the sport, Ebsen teamed up with the W.D. Schock Corporation and C/S/K Catamarans to create and produce the Polynesian Concept as a commercial production cruising catamaran. Then, Ebsen wrote a book about the vessel, aptly titled Polynesian Concept.
Ebsen dad’s choreographic skills rubbed off on him, too. Through dancing, he developed the footwork and timing needed to learn basic boxing skills, which he then drew on to fend off bullies. But there was more to it. Boxing became a favorite hobby, and Ebsen practiced it to remain fit. Boxing also helped him as his acting career developed. Records say Ebsen spent several nights a week boxing with his trainer at the MGM studio gymnasium.
Ebsen with George Peppard and Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (photo courtesy of Through the Shattered Lens)
Dancing helped Ebsen launch his long entertainment career, first in Vaudeville and then on Broadway, alongside sister Vilma. On Broadway, he starred in musicals like Whoopee (1928-1929), Flying Colors (1932-1933), and Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 (1934).
Ebsen then moved on to films, mostly musicals, including Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Captain January (1936), Born to Dance (1936), Banjo on My Knee (1936), Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937), The Girl of the Golden West (1938), My Lucky Star (1938), The Kid from Texas (1939), They Met in Argentina (1941), Sing Your Worries Away (1942), Under Mexicali Stars (1950), Silver City Bonanza (1951), Utah Wagon Train (1951), Red Garters (1954), Night People (1954), Attack (1956), and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).
Ebsen is best remembered for playing Jed Clampett on the CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971). Later, he played the title role in the detective drama Barnaby Jones (1973-1980).
Buddy Ebsen lived a long, productive, and multifaceted life. He passed away in 2003 at age 95.
