Actor Who Played Jethro On ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Suing CBS Over BBQ Restaurant

Consumerist ^ | December 11, 2014

[SMGFan]

Not everyone has a name like “Jethro,” so it only makes sense that the guy who played Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies would want to cash in on such a famous moniker. That’s why he’s ticked off right now at CBS, claiming the network breached a contract he had with it by allowing an Iowa restaurant chain to use the Jethro name and character.

Actor Max Baer Jr. played Jethro on the show about a family of hill dwellers who struck it rich and moved out to Califor-ni-a, and snagged a deal with CBS in 1991 allowing him to license the use of that fictional character for things like restaurants, hotels and casinos, he claims in a lawsuit against the network reported by The Des Moines Register.

[SMGFan]

"Someday I got to have a talk with that boy."

[GeronL]

why do actors think they own their characters

[fhayek]

“That boy is tighter than the high string on a two dollar fiddle”

[Gay State Conservative]

So he ruled out becoming a brain surgeon *and* a soda jerk.

[Celtic Conservative]

Sounds pretty clear cut to me, i Reckon.

Weeeeeeellllll doggies!!

CC

[lee martell]

Wow Max, aren’t you rich enough by now? He’s as greedy as Wayne Newton, another ‘fixture’ of show business.
I recall seeing Wayne on a commercial, pretending to be a maniquin. The “Maniquin” gives a sly wink to a middle aged blonde, shocking and confusing her. It looked spooky to me too.

[Celtic Conservative]

Well, when CBS agreed/i> to give or sell the rights to him, in that case I think he does have the right.

CC

[pleasenotcalifornia]

Did he ever find his “Moon Maidens”?

[MrEdd]

Moses’ father-in-law was who exactly?
Somebody check the book of Exodus.

[Mr. K]

that’s besides the point, isn’t it?

A contract is a contract. CBS is the bad guy here...

[TigerClaws]

There was a MUSTERS lawsuit where they won. It wasn’t the use of the characters but the actors images that led to the win.

Keep in mind unlike actors today these actors got ZERO residuals.

[a fool in paradise]

Actor Max Baer Jr. played Jethro on the show about a family of hill dwellers

[Celtic Conservative]

Or a double-naught spy.

CC

[Vaquero]

Well didn’t he go to Potts School. People need their Potts for fixed

[Blood of Tyrants]

Because in this case, it appears he does.

[kjam22]

He’s unhappy because the restaurant is filled with fancy eatin’ tables.

[GeronL]

lol

[GeronL]

That would be a good answer.

[forgotten man]

Maybe he should sue God too.

[11th_VA]

I remember when they invested in sponges, and granny was given one and cooked it.

Jethro ate it and said, "It didn't have much taste, but it sure did soak up the gravy. " LOL !!!