Nancy Kulp
Nancy Jane Kulp (August 28, 1921 – February 3, 1991) was an American actress and comedian best known for her portrayal of the efficient yet exasperated bank secretary Miss Jane Hathaway in the CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971.[1] Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to a traveling salesman father and schoolteacher mother, Kulp initially worked in publicity and as a linguist for the U.S. Navy during World War II before entering acting in the late 1940s, accumulating over 90 screen credits in film and television. Her role as Hathaway, a character defined by prim propriety and unrequited affection for the Clampett family patriarch, cemented her as a staple of 1960s television comedy.[1] Kulp died of cancer at age 69 in Palm Desert, California.[1] In addition to her entertainment career, Kulp ventured into politics, securing the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district in 1984 but losing decisively to incumbent Republican Bud Shuster, garnering only about 24% of the vote amid a conservative district's rejection of her candidacy.[2][3] Her bid highlighted tensions from her Beverly Hillbillies past, as co-star Buddy Ebsen publicly endorsed Shuster, criticizing Kulp's liberal endorsements including Walter Mondale.[3] Post-acting, she taught at California colleges and remained active in community theater until health declined.[4]Early Life
Upbringing and Family Background
Nancy Kulp was born Nancy Jane Kulp on August 28, 1921, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as the only child of Robert Tilden Kulp, a traveling salesman, and Marjorie C. Kulp (née Snyder), a schoolteacher.[5][6] The family maintained roots in central Pennsylvania, with Kulp spending her early years in the Harrisburg vicinity, including nearby Mifflintown. Her father's occupation involved frequent travel, while her mother's role in education provided a stable household influence amid modest circumstances typical of the era's middle-class families in the region.[7] Little is documented about specific childhood experiences, but the environment fostered her later academic pursuits, reflecting parental emphasis on learning.[5]Education
Kulp graduated from Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) in 1943 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.[8][9] During her undergraduate years, she worked as a feature writer for the campus newspaper, aligning with her initial career aspirations in journalism.[8] She subsequently pursued graduate studies at the University of Miami, earning a master's degree in English and French.[10] These academic pursuits preceded her entry into military service and later Hollywood publicity work, though she did not pursue journalism professionally long-term.[8]Military Service
Enlistment in the WAVES
In 1944, amid World War II, Nancy Kulp, a journalism student at the University of Miami, interrupted her education to volunteer for service in the United States Naval Reserve's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), the women's branch established in 1942 to allow women to fill shore-based roles and free men for combat duties.[6] Her decision reflected a surge in female enlistments as the U.S. mobilized for total war, with WAVES recruitment emphasizing patriotic contributions to national defense.[11] Kulp cited patriotism as her primary motivation for enlisting, stating it drove her to join despite the program's restrictions on women serving at sea or in combat roles. She entered active duty that year, beginning a period of service that lasted until 1946, during which she advanced to the rank of lieutenant junior grade through training and assignments.[12] This enlistment marked her transition from civilian academic pursuits to military contributions in support of the Allied war effort.[13]Service Achievements and Decorations
Kulp enlisted in the WAVES program of the United States Naval Reserve in 1944, shortly after leaving the University of Miami, and served until 1946. During this period, she advanced from her initial entry to the rank of lieutenant, junior grade (LTJG), a mid-level officer position reflecting her capabilities in administrative or support roles typical for WAVES personnel, who were primarily stationed stateside to free male sailors for combat duties. [14] For her service in support of the Allied war effort during World War II, Kulp received several standard decorations awarded to naval personnel for honorable participation in the conflict. These included the American Campaign Medal, recognizing duty within the American Theater (continental United States, Alaska, or nearby waters), and the World War II Victory Medal, conferred on all military members serving between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946.[15] [14] Reports of additional awards such as a Good Conduct Medal appear in secondary accounts but lack primary verification tied to her record.[14] No evidence indicates combat-related honors or overseas deployment, consistent with WAVES restrictions to non-combat, domestic assignments.Professional Career
Film Roles
Nancy Kulp commenced her film acting career in the early 1950s, following a stint in Hollywood publicity, with supporting roles that showcased her talent for portraying quirky, no-nonsense characters in both comedies and dramas.[16] Her breakthrough into features came with bit parts that gradually increased in visibility, though she remained a character actress rather than a lead.[17]| Year | Film Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | The Model and the Marriage Broker | Hazel Gingras[17] |
| 1952 | The Marrying Kind | Edie[17] |
| 1953 | Shane | Mrs. Howells[17][16] |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born | Esther's secretary[17] |
| 1955 | The Shrike | Mrs. Reynolds[17] |
| 1956 | Anything Goes | Bessie[17] |
| 1957 | The Three Faces of Eve | Mrs. Black[17][16] |
| 1961 | The Parent Trap | Miss Grunecker[17][16] |