Born Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr., Buddy Ebsen, an actor and dancer, performed for nearly seven decades and starred in scores of films. Starting in early childhood, Ebsen, along with his sisters, learned to dance at his father’s dance studio, where he unknowingly began his entertainment career. After he graduated college in 1928, he moved to New York City to become a professional dancer, spreading his name at a myriad of Broadway theaters.
Seven years later, Ebsen got his break—MGM approached him for a two-year contract, which put money in his pocket and eventually enabled him to star in numerous Hollywood movies. Born to Dance, Captain January, The Broadway Melody of 1935 and 1938, The Girl of the Golden West, Mail Order Bride, Night People, Between, Heaven & Hell, The Daughters of Joshua Cabe, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s were some of his well-received works, but perhaps the biggest news was his role as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, he could not carry through with the part because of an allergic reaction to the pure, aluminum powder make-up required for the role, but recordings he took part in for the film’s score circulated and are included in special editions of The Wizard of Oz today.
After a lengthy recovery and returning from World War II, Ebsen returned to acting in the big hit from Walt Disney’s Davy Crockette’s sidekick George Russell and TV series, such as The Beverly Hillbillies. The Beverly Hillbillies show was an astounding success–nearly 60 million tuned in over its nine-year run, earning The Beverly Hillbillies distinction as the highest rated series on television. Ebsen’s hard work had paid off over the years; his acting career was finally as prolific as Hollywood’s best, making him a household name.
In 1973, Ebsen struck gold again, securing the leading role in television series Barnaby Jones. Lasting 178 episodes, it was his second longest acting role behind The Beverly Hillbillies, and his last, large, starring role on a regularly telecasted program. However, it was not an end to his major acting career; in 1981, he co-starred in Fire on the Mountain, Stone Fox in 1986, and Matt Huston in 1984. And, even in his later years, Ebsen continued to take part in productions, making cameo appearances and providing voice acting for animated sitcoms like King of the Hill. Ebsen passed away at the age of 95 in 2003, but his legacy lives on in the form of numerous films, television series, and recordings.