This future star had a difficult upbringing because of her mother, who traded her for a few hundred bucks and was a chronic drinker. She overcame everything, had a successful profession, and is now a mother of three daughters.
Some Historical Details Regarding the Actress
Demi Gene Guynes is her birth name, and she was born on November 11, 1962. After just two months of marriage, her mother Virginia King was abandoned by her birth father, Air Force Airman Charles Harmon Sr.
Her parents had split up by the time this future celebrity was born. Her mother remarried Dan Guynes, a newspaper advertising salesperson, when she was three months old. Their frequent employment changes caused them to have to move multiple times, as her stepfather did.
She had two eye surgeries at the age of twelve to treat severe strabismus. She also experienced kidney disease, and when she was thirteen, she learned the truth about her biological father. She moved in with her grandma while still a teenager, leaving her mother behind.
Before enrolling in acting school, Demi Moore joined with the Elite Modeling Agency and enrolled at Fairfax High School, which she left in her junior year. She married musician Freddy Moore in 1981, adopting his last name for the duration of her successful creative career, which coincided, fortunately, with her breakthrough year.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=183&slotname=8851483697&adk=2185628257&adf=3113699199&pi=t.ma~as.8851483697&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&lmt=1724518405&rafmt=11&format=730×183&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F23%2Fthis-girl-was-traded-to-an-older-man-for-money-as-a-child-now-shes-a-famous-actress-who-managed-to-reconcile-with-her-3-daughters%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawE27ghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRKjYtXHHWciWNEewLmVjCWuPa3ELmydzgkhQkN4UUtWdRMWbcHWs3jTg_aem_AlHz2WcxCOCdeDdSv45-4A&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEyLjAuNTE5Ny4xMDAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90L0EpQnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyNi4wLjY0NzguMjI2Il0sWyJPcGVyYSBHWCIsIjExMi4wLjUxOTcuMTAwIl1dLDBd&dt=1724518074566&bpp=1&bdt=656&idt=93&shv=r20240821&mjsv=m202408150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dcf59a1ce51a438cf%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DALNI_MYJaJOB3bsPSunIOMN7MD4c8CDm-Q&eo_id_str=ID%3D0cc428cd87fc972c%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DAA-AfjYewfrC42NEkEIcSuBseT-j&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183&nras=1&correlator=4001402162284&frm=20&pv=1&rplot=4&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=3000&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95331688%2C95334830%2C95338229&oid=2&pvsid=1866254071364301&tmod=680152722&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CopeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&bz=0&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&dtd=M
She started acting in 1981, first in “General Hospital” and then in the movie “Choices.” After that, she acted in films such “No Small Affair” and “Blame It on Rio” from 1984. She began to gain notoriety in 1985 after starring in “St. Elmo’s Fire.”
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=183&slotname=3197500636&adk=141735219&adf=3534552834&pi=t.ma~as.3197500636&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&lmt=1724518405&rafmt=11&format=730×183&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F23%2Fthis-girl-was-traded-to-an-older-man-for-money-as-a-child-now-shes-a-famous-actress-who-managed-to-reconcile-with-her-3-daughters%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawE27ghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRKjYtXHHWciWNEewLmVjCWuPa3ELmydzgkhQkN4UUtWdRMWbcHWs3jTg_aem_AlHz2WcxCOCdeDdSv45-4A&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEyLjAuNTE5Ny4xMDAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90L0EpQnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyNi4wLjY0NzguMjI2Il0sWyJPcGVyYSBHWCIsIjExMi4wLjUxOTcuMTAwIl1dLDBd&dt=1724518074567&bpp=1&bdt=658&idt=93&shv=r20240821&mjsv=m202408150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dcf59a1ce51a438cf%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DALNI_MYJaJOB3bsPSunIOMN7MD4c8CDm-Q&eo_id_str=ID%3D0cc428cd87fc972c%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DAA-AfjYewfrC42NEkEIcSuBseT-j&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183%2C730x183&nras=1&correlator=4001402162284&frm=20&pv=1&rplot=4&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=2950&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95331688%2C95334830%2C95338229&oid=2&pvsid=1866254071364301&tmod=680152722&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C1536%2C864%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CopeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.03&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&dtd=M
With “About Last Night,” Demi experienced a favorable career turning point the following year. Jerry Zucker’s 1990 romantic fantasy thriller “Ghost” is her most popular film, nevertheless. With performances in “A Few Good Men,” “Indecent Proposal,” and “Disclosure,” the actress rose to the A-list.
She rose to the top of Hollywood’s pay scale in 1995 because to her performance in “Striptease.” She had a successful career, but her marriage to Freddy was short-lived—it lasted barely five years.
She rose to the top of Hollywood’s pay scale in 1995 because to her performance in “Striptease.” She had a successful career, but her marriage to Freddy was short-lived—it lasted barely five years.
She wed Bruce Willis in 1987, and the two went on to become one of the most well-known pairs until their divorce in 2000. Tallulah Belle, Scout LaRue, and Rumer Glenn were the couple’s three offspring. In 2005, following her divorce from Bruce, she entered into her third marriage.
2013 saw the dissolution of the star’s marriage to Ashton Kutcher. Demi disclosed that she miscarried in the sixth month of her pregnancy, albeit she did not go on to have children with the younger actor.
On September 24, 2019, Demi released her candid autobiography. Her difficult upbringing, the challenges she overcame, and her resiliency were all detailed in the book “Inside Out.” One topic covered in her autobiography, which became an instant number-one New York Times bestseller, was her challenging upbringing.
The bond between Demi and her mother
The actress discussed her childhood in the book, revealing that her parents struggled with alcoholism and that she was reared in a home where there were arguments, infidelity, and frequent moves. Demi’s mother tried suicide when she was just 12 years old, and Demi had to save her from an overdose.
With her father holding her lips open, Demi had to remove the medications her mother had attempted to consume. That was only one of countless incidents like it. When she discovered her parents’ marriage license when she was thirteen, she came to the conclusion that Dan Guynes, the man she had known as her father, was not actually her biological father.
Her mother had lied to her when she had inquired if Dan was her father. Demi asked her Texas-based aunt when she was there, and eventually she invited her biological father to stay. Virginia never intended for her daughter to be aware of her biological father.
Demi realized that her mother had felt protective, but she also felt deceived by everyone but herself. Virginia took her out to clubs as a teenager, hoping that men would notice them. Her mother firing her at the age of fifteen was another extremely traumatic incident that permanently defined her adolescence. It is said that Virginia traded her to a friend who then sexually assaulted her.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=280&adk=1442124134&adf=503033626&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.38~rp.4&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1724518417&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=4013816440&ad_type=text_image&format=730×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F23%2Fthis-girl-was-traded-to-an-older-man-for-money-as-a-child-now-shes-a-famous-actress-who-managed-to-reconcile-with-her-3-daughters%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawE27ghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRKjYtXHHWciWNEewLmVjCWuPa3ELmydzgkhQkN4UUtWdRMWbcHWs3jTg_aem_AlHz2WcxCOCdeDdSv45-4A&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=183&rw=730&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEyLjAuNTE5Ny4xMDAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90L0EpQnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyNi4wLjY0NzguMjI2Il0sWyJPcGVyYSBHWCIsIjExMi4wLjUxOTcuMTAwIl1dLDBd&dt=1724518075223&bpp=1&bdt=1313&idt=0&shv=r20240821&mjsv=m202408150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dcf59a1ce51a438cf%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DALNI_MYJaJOB3bsPSunIOMN7MD4c8CDm-Q&eo_id_str=ID%3D0cc428cd87fc972c%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DAA-AfjYewfrC42NEkEIcSuBseT-j&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183%2C730x183%2C730x183&nras=2&correlator=4001402162284&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=4143&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=1114&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95331688%2C95334830%2C95338229&oid=2&pvsid=1866254071364301&tmod=680152722&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C1536%2C864%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.03&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=4&fsb=1&dtd=M
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=183&slotname=2267562348&adk=1401803709&adf=503033626&pi=t.ma~as.2267562348&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&lmt=1724518417&rafmt=11&format=730×183&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F23%2Fthis-girl-was-traded-to-an-older-man-for-money-as-a-child-now-shes-a-famous-actress-who-managed-to-reconcile-with-her-3-daughters%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawE27ghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRKjYtXHHWciWNEewLmVjCWuPa3ELmydzgkhQkN4UUtWdRMWbcHWs3jTg_aem_AlHz2WcxCOCdeDdSv45-4A&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEyLjAuNTE5Ny4xMDAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90L0EpQnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyNi4wLjY0NzguMjI2Il0sWyJPcGVyYSBHWCIsIjExMi4wLjUxOTcuMTAwIl1dLDBd&dt=1724518074567&bpp=1&bdt=657&idt=996&shv=r20240821&mjsv=m202408150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dcf59a1ce51a438cf%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DALNI_MYJaJOB3bsPSunIOMN7MD4c8CDm-Q&eo_id_str=ID%3D0cc428cd87fc972c%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DAA-AfjYewfrC42NEkEIcSuBseT-j&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183%2C730x183%2C730x183%2C730x280&nras=2&correlator=4001402162284&frm=20&pv=1&rplot=4&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=4436&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=1400&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95331688%2C95334830%2C95338229&oid=2&pvsid=1866254071364301&tmod=680152722&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C1536%2C864%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CopeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.03&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=6&uci=a!6&btvi=5&fsb=1&dtd=M
The actress mentioned that the man disclosed the $500 he had provided her adolescent mother to be with her when she spoke with Diane Sawyer of “Good Morning America” about her memoir. She doesn’t think her mother sold her, despite the fact that it was a terrible experience.
She did, however, accuse her mother of placing her in danger and allowing a male to access her body. She was aware that Virginia was unable to keep her safe, though. Later on, Demi had children of her own and found it difficult to raise them well.
What Kind of Mother Did Demi Play?
Following the release of her book, Demi appeared on numerous TV shows where she discussed her difficult upbringing and bond with her mother. She recalled that she had taken up the role of caring for her mother following Dan and Virginia’s separation.
Because her mother was an alcoholic at the time, taking care of her was difficult. Demi’s stepfather, who was 37 at the time, killed himself two years after she and her mother split up. Only his suicide made Virginia’s alcoholism worse.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=280&adk=1442124134&adf=1397666572&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.49~rp.4&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1724518420&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=4013816440&ad_type=text_image&format=730×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F23%2Fthis-girl-was-traded-to-an-older-man-for-money-as-a-child-now-shes-a-famous-actress-who-managed-to-reconcile-with-her-3-daughters%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawE27ghleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbRKjYtXHHWciWNEewLmVjCWuPa3ELmydzgkhQkN4UUtWdRMWbcHWs3jTg_aem_AlHz2WcxCOCdeDdSv45-4A&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=183&rw=730&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEyLjAuNTE5Ny4xMDAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90L0EpQnJhbmQiLCI4LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyNi4wLjY0NzguMjI2Il0sWyJPcGVyYSBHWCIsIjExMi4wLjUxOTcuMTAwIl1dLDBd&dt=1724518075226&bpp=1&bdt=1316&idt=0&shv=r20240821&mjsv=m202408150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dcf59a1ce51a438cf%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DALNI_MYJaJOB3bsPSunIOMN7MD4c8CDm-Q&eo_id_str=ID%3D0cc428cd87fc972c%3AT%3D1723566560%3ART%3D1724518346%3AS%3DAA-AfjYewfrC42NEkEIcSuBseT-j&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183%2C730x183%2C730x183%2C730x280%2C730x183&nras=3&correlator=4001402162284&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=5766&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=2765&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95331688%2C95334830%2C95338229&oid=2&pvsid=1866254071364301&tmod=680152722&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C1536%2C864%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.03&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=9&uci=a!9&btvi=6&fsb=1&dtd=M
Demi severed her relationship with her mother in 1990 when she left a paid rehabilitation stay. But the actress made amends with Virginia prior to her 1998 cancer death.
Tallulah, the star’s daughter, also had a tense connection with her mother, similar to how the actress felt about her own mother. The difficult connection between Tallulah and Demi started after the actress was wed to Ashton.
The mother-daughter duo struggled to communicate with each other. Tallulah felt abandoned because the actress struggled with addiction and was reliant on Ashton.
Tallulah felt even more abandoned after Rumer and Scout moved out. She thought the actress had forgotten about her and had stopped loving her. Tallulah admitted that she hadn’t spoken to Demi in almost three years in a Mother’s Day 2020 Instagram post, and the occasion made it even more painful for her.
But Tallulah had “a metamorphosis of inward self-reflection,” and her capacity for forgiveness made their separation possible to end. Now that she and her well-known mother have made amends, Demi plays a vital role in her life.
She often pondered the kind of relationship she would have had with a 26-year-old Demi had they crossed paths back then. Tallulah assumed they would have laughed a lot, but she said that she now “revel[ed] in all that” her mother has taught and is teaching her.
“I see where you came from and what this day means for you.”
She affectionately ended her statement by praising her mother’s every flaw and saying that she loved the actress “eternally.” Demi had her kids look over the book’s draft and make suggestions, but none of them made any changes.
Scout expressed her pride in the actress for having at last done some introspection after spending so much time in survival mode. According to the star’s daughter, Demi’s memoir demonstrated how at ease and secure she is in her own skin.
Nonetheless, the book brought up some awkward memories for the three siblings, who have also battled with substance abuse and difficulties related to their bodies. Scout acknowledged that they were challenged by the book since their mother tried to share the most vulnerable aspects of her life, which also happened to be the most painful for their daughter.
The book provided Rumer with additional in-depth information about their mother’s past. She believed that while kids thought their parents were gods, as they got older, they realized they were simply regular humans.
Demi and her kids are closer than ever these days. Because of their intimacy, they were placed in quarantine together during the coronavirus outbreak. Bruce together with his spouse and kids were part of the family. They demonstrated their unity as a blended family in a statement from February 2023, when they supported Bruce in his battle against his 2022 aphasia diagnosis.
The hilarious blooper in The Beverly Hillbillies most-watched episode
The Beverly Hillbillies has always been one of my favorite shows, and it’s easy to see why. No sex, no foul language, no politics — just pure, feel-good comedy.
Take the hilarious episode where Granny mistakes a kangaroo for a giant jackrabbit. It perfectly captures the charm and simplicity that made The Beverly Hillbillies so beloved.
Did you know that this particular episode set a record as the most-watched half-hour sitcom of its time? But here’s the kicker — if you know where to look, there’s a glaring mistake the producers missed.
Slammed and hated by the critics. “Strained and unfunny”, according to New York Times. But to me, The Beverly Hillbillies is one of the greatest and funniest shows ever. This was back when TV was great to watch; good, old-fashioned family TV. Today’s comedies could learn a great deal from shows like this one.
From Buddy Ebsen’s laid-back charm to Irene Ryan’s feisty Granny, the show’s cast — including Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, Nancy Kulp, and Raymond Bailey — kept audiences laughing for years.
But even this classic sitcom had its share of goofs, and we’re here to reveal the funniest mistakes that made it onto the screen.
Ocean is on their left
In the opening scene, the Clampetts are cruising back home from Malibu, but there’s a funny little mix-up.
Malibu is west of Beverly Hills, so the ocean should be on the right if they’re heading east. Instead, it’s on their left — meaning they’re actually driving away from home.
Guess the Clampetts took the scenic route… or just got a little turned around.
The Boston Strong Girl
In season six’s episode ”The Rass’lin’ Clampetts,” Granny takes on the Boston Strong Girl and supposedly tosses her right out of the ring. But if you watch closely, you’ll see the Strong Girl giving herself a little jump to get over the ropes.
Here’s a fun twist: the Boston Strong Girl was actually played by Jerry Randall, who was a stuntman dressed in drag. And in true hillbilly style, the title’s ”Rass’lin” is just their way of saying ”wrestling.”
The missing fish
In the episode The Clampetts Go Fishing, Mr. Drysdale tries to spark the Clampetts’ interest in deep-sea fishing by sending them off to Marineland.
But here’s where things get fishy — literally! When Miss Hathaway and Mr. Drysdale pull up to the Clampett mansion, their car’s backseat is completely empty.
Yet, somehow, by the time they steps out of the car, a giant fish magically appears in the back!
Jane Hathaway’s first car
Throughout most of seasons one and two, the location shots for The Beverly Hillbillies show Jane Hathaway’s first car, a 1962 Plymouth convertible.
But if you look closely, you’ll notice a little TV magic at play. In some scenes, the shot suddenly jumps to a close-up of her arriving in a completely different car — a 1963 or 1964 Dodge.
It looks like Jane had a knack for spontaneous car upgrades.
The groundskeeper
During the closing credits of the season one Thanksgiving episode, Elly’s First Date (1962), an unexpected guest made a surprise cameo.
On the right side of the screen, a groundskeeper strolls into view, casually carrying a rake and sporting a white tank top. But then —oops!— he suddenly realizes he’s wandered straight into the shot.
With a look of sheer panic, he quickly changes course and bolts out of the frame, probably wishing he could rake that moment right off the screen.
Here’s a hilarious goof from the episode: During Jethro’s magic show, Mr. Drysdale tosses his hat to Jethro to use in an illusion. Naturally, Jethro ends up ruining the hat right off the bat.
Max Baer Jr. played his twin sister
Max Baer Jr played the role of Jethro Bodine, the son of Jed’s cousin, Pearl, a naive and borderline dim-witted man who showed off his great math skills with his multiplication classic “five gozinta five one times, five gozinta ten two times.”
But that wasn’t the only character he played on the show. In fact, Max Baer Jr. also portrayed Jethro’s twin sister Jethrine for 11 episodes during the first season.
Although Max Baer Jr. played Jethrine Bodine, he couldn’t do her voice.
As a result, he was dubbed. The one who actually said her lines was Linda Kaye Henning – daughter to the series’ creator, Paul Henning.
Mr. Drysdale’s magic hat
Here’s a hilarious goof from the episode ”The Great Jethro”: During Jethro’s magic show, Mr. Drysdale tosses his hat to Jethro to use in an illusion.
Naturally, Jethro ends up ruining the hat right off the bat.
But the real magic trick here isn’t part of the show — it’s a classic TV mistake! After Jethro does his damage, the camera cuts to Mr. Drysdale, and there he is, calmly holding his perfectly fine hat in his lap.
Then, as if by magic, the hat reappears on the magician’s stand in the next shot. Moments later, Mr. Drysdale is seen holding the ruined hat once again.
John Wayne got paid in bourbon
Even though John Wayne’s name doesn’t appear in the credits, many fans still remember his memorable cameo in the episode ”The Indians Are Coming.”
Interestingly, the only payment John Wayne requested for his guest appearance was a fifth of Jack Daniel’s bourbon. Let’s hope they paid him after his performance!
The Giant Jackrabbit
The iconic season-two episode ”The Giant Jackrabbit” achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the most-watched telecast at the time of its airing, and it still holds the record for the most-watched half-hour episode of any sitcom.
At first glance, these astonishing ratings might seem puzzling. However, when you consider the context of the time, it all begins to make sense.
Early 1964 was a challenging period for America, following the tragic assassination of President Kennedy just six weeks earlier. The nation was in mourning, seeking solace and a respite from the harsh realities of life. In this environment, the lighthearted humor and quirky charm of The Beverly Hillbillies offered the perfect escape for viewers.
The blooper
But considering how many people have enjoyed watching Granny mistake a kangaroo for a jackrabbit, it’s surprising that many have missed a tiny goof in this episode. And honestly, it’s understandable — it really takes a keen eye to catch it.
So here it is: when the kangaroo first hops up to the Clampetts’ back door, a man’s foot — most likely that of the trainer — briefly appears in the lower left corner (at 09:02) of the screen. It’s a little detail that adds to the fun of this classic moment.
A nod to the casting genius
Since we’re diving into this legendary episode, let’s talk about the owner of “Beverly Caterers.” When Granny spots the escaped kangaroo and mistakenly believes it to be an oversized jackrabbit, it raises eyebrows and makes the others suspect she might have had a bit too much moonshine.
Meanwhile, the Clampetts face a struggle to get food from Beverly Caterers. Interestingly, the owner, Bill Tinsman, is named as a nod to William Tinsman, the casting director for The Beverly Hillbillies as well as other shows in the HenningVerse.
The creator was ashamed
Speaking of the creator of the series, Paul Henning, did you know that he was ashamed of the 1981 TV movie “The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies”?
10 years after the popular show ended, some of the characters in the Clampett family reunited in a television movie written and produced by Henning. But viewers and critics didn’t like it, as many thought that the series’ original spirit had been abandoned in the movie.
Paul admitted to sheer embarrassment when the finished product aired on the CBS network.
Different original title
Those who watched the pilot “The Clampetts Strike Oil” may have noticed that the show was then called “The Hillbillies of Beverly Hills.”
After the first episode, though, the original title was changed to “The Beverly Hillbillies”, which was a little easier to say and more catchy.
Sonny was 8 years younger than his mother
Hollywood has had its fair share of impossible mothers. For example, when Angela Lansbury starred in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), she was only two years older than Laurence Harvey, who played her son. And the list goes on and on – The Beverly Hillbillies was no exception.
Did you know that the actress who played Mrs. Drysdale was just eight years older then her on-screen son Sonny Drysdale, the spoiled rich step-son of Milburn Drysdale.
Why CBS axed the show
By the end of the 60’s, The Beverly Hillbillies struggled with ratings.
But it was still a very popular and successful show, so when CBS went out and announced the canceling of the show in 1971, many were shocked. The same thing happened to Paul Henning’s other hit, “Petticoat Junction”.
This was dubbed a “rural purge” and CBS took the lead by axing several popular shows. The change came when the networks and the advertisers decided to target a more cultured, metropolitan audience.
“CBS canceled everything with a tree — including Lassie,” actor Pat Buttram of Green Acres famously said.
Beverly Hillbillies – what a show with great actors and actresses!
As we wrap up our journey through the hilarious world of these characters, it’s clear that even the most beloved shows have their quirks and blunders.
From the kangaroo mix-up to the magical hat tricks gone awry, these little-known mistakes add an extra layer of charm to the series.
So next time you tune in, keep an eye out for the behind-the-scenes fun—you might just find a new reason to chuckle at these unforgettable characters!
Leave a Reply