When Petticoat Junction first got here to American dwelling rooms in 1963, it introduced with it a sunny dose of small-town attraction and nation comedy that rapidly received over audiences.
The sequence ran for seven seasons, wrapping up in 1970, and centered on the warmhearted chaos of the Shady Relaxation Resort, operated by widowed Kate Bradley and her three vigorous daughters within the quirky city of Hooterville.
With muddy swims within the water tower, passing trains as social hubs, and loads of household mischief, the present celebrated easy dwelling with an excellent humorousness.
A long time later, that nostalgia nonetheless sparks a well-known query – what ever occurred to the celebs who made Petticoat Junction so unforgettable?
Linda Kaye Henning as Betty Jo Bradley
Linda Kaye Henning charmed audiences as Betty Jo Bradley, the spirited and tomboyish youngest daughter on Petticoat Junction.
Whereas Petticoat Junction stays what she is finest identified for, Henning additionally made appearances on The Beverly Hillbillies and the 1988 movie Mad About You.
In her private life, the 81-year-old has been married twice – first to actor Mike Minor from 1968 to 1973, and later to Ashby Adams, whom she married in 1994.
A long time later, Betty Jo’s muddy adventures and large coronary heart stay the function followers most intently affiliate with Henning.
Pat Woodell as Bobbie Jo Bradley
Pat Woodell was the unique actress to painting Bobbie Jo Bradley throughout the first two seasons of Petticoat Junction, giving the character a considerate, bookish character.
After leaving the present, Woodell appeared in a number of movies, together with The Huge Dollhouse and The Roommates. She later stepped away from performing and pursued work outdoors of the leisure trade.
Woodell was married twice, first to actor Gary Clarke from 1964 to 1977, and later to Vern McDade, whom she married in 1978.
In 2015, on the age of 71, she died after battling most cancers for greater than twenty years.
Lori Saunders as Bobbie Jo Bradley
Lori Saunders took over the function of Bobbie Jo Bradley within the later seasons of Petticoat Junction, with the character evolving right into a extra polished and academically targeted younger lady.
Exterior of Petticoat Junction, Saunders appeared in tv sequence comparable to Dusty’s Path and movies like So Unhappy About Gloria.
The 84-year-old finally retired from performing and selected a quiet life away from Hollywood. She has been married to Bernard Sandler since 1961, they usually share two youngsters.
Bea Benaderet as Kate Bradley
Bea Benaderet starred as Kate Bradley, the widowed proprietor of the Shady Relaxation Resort and the loving mom of the Bradley women.
Previous to Petticoat Junction, she was already a well-established actress, showing on The Jack Benny Program and voicing Betty Rubble on The Flintstones.
Benaderet was married twice, first to actor Jim Bannon from 1938 to 1950, with whom she had two youngsters, Jack Bannon and Maggie Bannon. She later married Eugene Twombly in 1958. The 2 have been collectively till Benaderet died in 1968 at age 62.
She died from lung most cancers whereas the present was nonetheless in manufacturing. Her dying led to vital modifications within the sequence and was deeply felt by viewers. She stays some of the revered comedic performers of early tv.
Edgar Buchanan as Joe Carson
Edgar Buchanan portrayed Uncle Joe Carson, Kate Bradley’s freeloading however endearing cousin. His distinctive voice and comedic timing made Uncle Joe one of many present’s standout characters.
A veteran character actor, Buchanan appeared in a variety of movies and tv sequence, together with Westerns and comedies, comparable to Penny Serenade (1941), Abilene City (1946), Choose Roy Bean (1955) and Cade’s County (1971).
He was married to Mildred Marguerite Spence till he died in 1979. He was 76. The pair shared one baby.
Mike Minor as Steve Elliott
Mike Minor joined Petticoat Junction as Steve Elliott, the airline pilot who grew to become Betty Jo Bradley’s husband.
He appeared in a number of tv sequence all through the Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, together with The Joey Bishop Present (1961), Because the World Turns (1956), All My Kids (1970), and One other World (1964).
Minor was married thrice over the course of his life. He first married Monyeen Rae Martini in 1961, then his Petticoat Junction costar Linda Kaye Henning. The costars have been collectively from 1968 to 1973.
Then, in 1981, he married Marilyn Minor, they usually remained collectively till he died in 2016. He was 75.
Rufe Davis as Floyd Smoot
Rufe Davis performed Floyd Smoot, the banjo-playing handyman on the Shady Relaxation Resort.
Along with performing, Davis was additionally a musician, which was included into his character on the present. His musical performances added to the relaxed, nation ambiance of Petticoat Junction.
Aside from Petticoat Junction, Davis additionally appeared as Lullaby Joslin in 14 of the Three Mesquiteers movies, together with Raiders of the Vary, West of Cimarron, and extra.
He died on the age of 66 in 1986.
Smiley Burnette as Charley Pratt
Smiley Burnette portrayed Charley Pratt, one of many pleasant railroad engineers who often handed by way of Hooterville.
Earlier than becoming a member of the present, Burnette had an extended profession in movie, notably in Westerns, typically showing alongside Gene Autry in movies like Blue Montana Skies (1939) and Name of the Canyon (1942). He was additionally well-known for his musical skills and comedic character.
In 1940, he tied the knot with Dallas McDonald, and the pair have been collectively till he died in 1967, following a battle with leukemia, at age 55.
Jeannine Riley, Gunilla Hutton, and Meredith MacRae as Billie Jo Bradley
The function of Billie Jo Bradley was initially performed by Jeannine Riley, who appeared within the first two seasons of Petticoat Junction. Riley’s portrayal established Billie Jo as dramatic, fame-seeking, and decided to flee small-town life.
After Riley left the sequence, Gunilla Hutton briefly took over the function in season 3 earlier than Meredith MacRae assumed it long-term.
MacRae performed Billie Jo Bradley throughout the later seasons of Petticoat Junction. Her model of Billie Jo leaned into the character’s ambition and aptitude for leisure.
MacRae continued performing after the present, showing in visitor roles on varied tv sequence like My Three Sons and The Beverly Hillbillies. The actress was married to Phil Neal when she died in 2000 on account of problems associated to mind most cancers. She was 56.