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Buddy Ebsen Biography
Birth Name:
Christian Rudolph Ebsen Jr.
Birth Place:
Belleville, Illinois, United States
Profession
Actor, dancer, playwright, author, songwriter, businessman
Fast Facts
- Nicknamed "Buddy" by an aunt
- Learned ballet in father's dance studio
- Originally wanted to be a doctor
- Was originally cast as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939) but switched roles with Ray Bolger who was to be the Tin Man; later developed an allergic reaction to metallic dust in the makeup and was replaced in the film by Jack Haley
- Turned down a seven-year contract with MGM because he didn't want to be "owned" by Louis B
- Mayer, who then blackballed him from working at other studios
- Served in the Pacific with the Coast Guard during World War II
- Enjoyed racing catamarans and founded a company that built them
- Despite long-running success in The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones, was never nominated for an Emmy
Relationships
- Alix Ebsen -- Daughter
- Cathy Ebsen -- Daughter
- Elizabeth Ebsen -- Daughter
- Kirsten Ebsen -- Daughter
- Susannah Ebsen -- Daughter
- Nancy Wolcott -- Ex-wife
- Ruth Cambridge -- Ex-wife
- Christian Rudolph Ebsen Sr. -- Father
- Frances Ebsen -- Mother
- Helga Ebsen -- Sister
- Leslie Ebsen -- Sister
- Norma Ebsen -- Sister
- Dustin Ebsen -- Son
- Dorothy Knott Ebsen -- Wife