Nancy Kulp
(1921 - 1991)She was definitely an original. Although she portrayed the homely, spinster, secretary type, she was actually quite the opposite in reality. She was somewhat attractive with very striking features and had been married at one time. She gave her spinsters verve, style and class. They were not the typical shy, wallflower types. Her best-known characterization, Miss Jane Hathaway of the series “The Beverly Hillbillies” was a very original character. She was a spinster indeed, but quite erudite, with perfect diction and style. She was not shy but enamored of handsome men and was in control of her life. Nancy Kulp was indeed a talented actress. We remember her as tall but she was only 5’ 6” and slim with that pageboy style hairdo, a long face with striking blue eyes and a kindly demeanor and that assertive husky voice. We all hoped that ‘Miss Jane’ would some day get her man. She was also talented enough to break out of stereotype, and she did. Ms. Kulp was quite an interesting personality herself. She was born Nancy Jane Culp (she changed the spelling to Kulp apparently to avoid confusion with actor Robert Culp) on August 28, 1921 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During her childhood she attended seventeen schools in both Pennsylvania and Florida. The family moved to Florida when she was still a young girl. She eventually attended Florida State University where she studied journalism earning a bachelors degree. Early on she aspired to a career as a newscaster. She later attended the University of Miami where she earned her master’s degree in English and French. In 1951 she moved to California where she found a job in publicity for a movie studio. It wasn’t long before it was suggested by a casting director and none other than director George Cukor that she should try acting. Her first assignment was in the film “The Model and the Marriage Broker” (1951) as Hazel Gingras, and she nailed it! Her other films included: “The Marrying Kind” (1952) uncredited, as Edie; “Steel Town” (1952) as Dolores, a Waitress; “Shane” (1953) as Mrs. Howells, a non-spinster role; Jerry Lewis’ “The Caddy” (1953) uncredited, as Emma; “Sabrina” (1954) with William Holden and Humphrey Bogart, uncredited, as Jenny, a Maid; “You’re Never Too Young” (1955) as Marty’s Mother; “Not as a Stranger” (1955) uncredited, as Hypochondriac Woman; “Count Three and Pray” (1955) as Matty; “Forever, Darling” (1956) as Amy; “Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend” (1957) in an uncredited role; “God Is My Partner” (1957) as Maxine Spelvana; “Kiss Them for Me” (1957) as Telephone Operator; “The Three Faces of Eve” (1957) with Joanne Woodward, as Mrs. Black; “The High Cost of Loving” (1958) uncredited, as Miss Matthews; “Five Gates to Hell” (1959) as Susette; “The Parent Trap” (1961) with Hayley Mills, as Miss Grunecker; “The Last Time I Saw Archie” (1961) as Miss Willoughby; “The Two Little Bears” (1961) as Emily Wilkins; “Moon Pilot” (1962) as Nutritionist; “Who’s Minding the Store?” (1963) as Emily Rothgraber; Jerry Lewis’ “The Patsy” (1964) as Helen, Theater Goer; “Strange Bedfellows” (1965) as Aggressive Woman; “The Night of the Grizzly” (1966) as Wilhelmina Peterson; the animated “The Aristocats” (1970) as Voice of Frou-Frou, (Riding Horse), her last theatrical film. On TV she was a regular on the series: “The Bob Cummings Show” (1955-59) as Pamela Livingstone; “The Beverly Hillbillies” (1962-71) as Miss Jane Hathaway; “The Brian Keith Show” (1973-74) as Mrs. Gruber. She also appeared in TV movies including: “The Fountain of Youth” (1958); “The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies” (1981) and “Computers Are People, Too!” (1982). Starting on TV in its Golden Age, she appeared on many early shows including: “December Bride”; “I Love Lucy”; “Cheyenne”; “The Gale Storm Show”; “Perry Mason”; “77 Sunset Strip”; “Maverick”; “Mr. Ed”; “Twilight Zone”; “The Jack Benny Show”; “Hawaiian Eye”; “Petticoat Junction”; “Sanford and Son”; “The Love Boat”; “ChiPs”; “Simon & Simon” and “Quantum Leap.” She was known to her friends and co-workers as ‘Slim.’ She did enjoy working in community and repertoire theatre in her off times. She was quite interested in politics and actually ran for California state representative on the Democratic ticket. She lost and her fellow “Beverly Hillbillies” cast mate, Buddy Ebsen, had campaigned rigorously against her and the onetime friends were estranged for some time but they eventually made peace with each other. She was also an Artist in Residence at Juniata College in Pennsylvania for a time and was on the board of directors for the Screen Actors Guild. She was married to Charles Dacus for ten years and he helped her secure an acting career. They divorced in the 1960s. She was also an avid football fan. She died of cancer on February 3, 1991 in Palm Springs, California at age 69.
From Great Character Actors, Page 9.
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