Back in the '60s, actress Donna Douglas won the hearts of viewers in her role as Elly May Clampett on 'The Beverly Hillbillies' television series. Donna portrayed a nature-loving hillbilly stereotype in the show, but she admitted she never minded her typecast.

"So many kinds of people relate to Elly May," Douglas said, "So many people love her, and that means a lot to me."

However, Donna's long run as America's favorite hillbilly has come to an end. Donna passed away on January 2^nd after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The actress was 81-years-old.

'The Beverly Hillbillies' featured the trials of a Tennessee family in Beverly Hills after they grew suddenly wealthy from striking oil on their land. As Elly May, Donna was an airy, happy character from the backwoods family.

Douglas said that she really connected with her character. Like Elly May, Donna grew up as a poor Southern girl. Charlene Smith, Donna's cousin, felt that Donna was the right actress for the role. "She was always happy, and she really loved animals -- just like her character on 'The Beverly Hillbillies'."

Even though Donna grew up a nature-loving tomboy, her career began with beauty pageants. She won Miss New Orleans in 1957, but she left pageants behind to pursue a life in the entertainment industry.

Apart from 'The Beverly Hillbillies', Donna starred in the movie 'Frankie and Johnny', and guest-starred in television series such as 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Mr. Ed'.

Although Donna Douglas has died, her inspirational character lives on in the hearts of thousands of American fans.