NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – The woman who portrayed Elly May Clampett in the 1960s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies" has sued toymaker Mattel over a Barbie doll that she says looks like her.
Actress Donna Douglas filed a federal suit against Mattel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, charging that the toy company "is engaging in the unauthorized use" of her name, likeness and image to promote and sell the "Elly May" Barbie.
She is seeking $75,000 in damages.
It has been nearly 50 years since the fictional Clampett family struck oil and ditched their backwoods home for a life of adventure in California. Douglas played Elly May in all 274 episodes of the show, which continues to air in syndication around the world.
In her lawsuit, Douglas says that she "continues to make public appearances in association with" her character. The suit says that Mattel introduced the "Elly May" Barbie doll in December 2010, and even uses Douglas' name in promotional materials.
It claims Douglas "never endorsed the doll and never gave Mattel her permission" to use her name or likeness. It charges that the doll "creates the false public impression that Ms Douglas has endorsed" the doll.
Mattel said in a statement that it "licensed the rights to 'Beverly Hillbillies' for this product through the appropriate channels."
A spokesman for CBS Television Distribution, which acquired the rights to "The Beverly Hillbillies" in the 1980s, could not be reached for comment.
(Editing by Greg McCune)
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