It seemed that Buddy Ebsen was fated to play Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies. Even if he wasn't aware of his destiny, Paul Henning certainly was.

According to The Beverly Hillbillies, written by Stephen Cox, there was quite a lengthy process to determine which actors would play most of the Clampett family. However, Henning admitted that from the show's conception, he had no doubt who his first choice was to play Jed Clampett. 

"I always had Buddy Ebsen in mind," said Henning. "He's a big man, but he moves gracefully, as a dancer would. He's an ideal frontiersman, hillbilly, used to getting around in the woods."

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By contrast, Ebsen was nervous to accept the role, fearing that a rural character might limit any opportunity for future parts.

"My agent had mentioned 'The Hillbillies," and I wanted to run the other way," said Ebsen. "I had played a lot of hillbillies, and I just didn't want to get trapped again in that kind of getup with long hair and whiskers."

So, before Ebsen agreed to take on the part, with a few stipulations.

"It sounded like everyone was going to be very funny - everyone except me," said the actor. "Which was fine, provided I was still the pivotal character. I told Paul that I gotta have control of the $25 million. If I do, I'll be the responsible member of the family, and not merely the guy who's the butt of all the jokes! Paul agreed with me."

Of course, Jed Clampett is plenty funny on his own, but his character also serves as the rock with which the Clampett family members steady themselves. Ultimately, Ebsen's conditions seemed to work not only for the betterment of his career but for the series as well.