Settlement Reached in Elly Mae Clampett Barbie Doll Suit

By Janet McConnaughey | December 30, 2011

The actress who played Elly May Clampett on the “The Beverly Hillbillies,” toymaker Mattel Inc. and CBS Consumer Products Inc. have settled a lawsuit in which Donna Douglas claimed the companies didn’t get her approval to use her name and likeness for a Barbie doll.

Douglas played the critter-loving tomboy for all nine seasons of the CBS television comedy about a backwoods family that strikes oil and moves to Beverly Hills.

One of her attorneys, Charles von Simson of Buffalo, N.Y., says settlement details are confidential. The U.S. District Court lawsuit filed in Baton Rouge sought at least $75,000.

In earlier filings, CBS and Mattel said they didn’t need Douglas’ approval because the network holds exclusive rights to the character.

 

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Latest Comments

  • January 3, 2012 at 9:19 am
    Little Frog says:
    I hope she did a LOT better than Harlan Sanders did. The man wasn't even able to open a sandwich shop after he sold the chicken business.
  • January 2, 2012 at 8:58 am
    ComradeAnon says:
    Wee doggy!
  • December 30, 2011 at 3:38 pm
    Jon says:
    CBS and Mattel may own the rights to the character, but they don't own the rights to Douglas' appearance. Stupid laywers...
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