she dated Red Fox in secret now we know

the reason

why Nancy Culp was

born nancy Jane Culp on August 28th 1921

in Harrisburg Pennsylvania was an

American actress whose distinctive voice

towering presence and remarkable comedic

timing made her a beloved character

actress in television’s golden age

though best known for her unforgettable

portrayal of Miss Jane Hathaway on the

Beverly Hillbillies her life and career

encompassed far more than one iconic

role from her early days as a student

and wartime servicewoman to her work in

Hollywood and her later foray into

politics and education Nancy Culp left a

legacy that reflects her intelligence

courage and determination

nancy Jane Culp was raised in the small

town of Mifflintown Pennsylvania before

moving to Miami Dade County Florida

during her

adolescence a bright and driven student

she went on to attend Florida State

College for women now Florida State

University where she earned a bachelor’s

degree in

journalism culp was known for her sharp

intellect and early ambition traits that

would remain constant throughout her

life her academic curiosity led her to

continue her studies at University of

Miami where she obtained a master’s

degree in English and French culp’s love

for language and writing initially

pointed her toward a career in

journalism before acting she worked as a

writer for a Miami newspaper and later

in the publicity department at MGM

Studios experiences that exposed her to

the inner workings of the entertainment

industry these behind-the-scenes jobs

provided valuable insight and eventually

they helped fuel her desire to appear on

the other side of the camera her life

took a dramatic turn during World War II

when Culp put her budding media career

on hold to serve her country in 1944 she

joined the United States Naval Reserve

demonstrating both patriotism and

bravery she served with distinction and

attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior

Grade this military chapter of her life

helped mold her strong sense of

discipline and leadership as well as a

lifetime commitment to public service

and civic duty few actresses of her era

could claim such firsthand experience in

military service and Culp wore her

uniform with as much pride as any role

she later played on

television nancy Culp transitioned to

acting in the early 1950s her quirky

charm towering frame and distinctive

voice quickly caught the attention of

casting directors who were in search of

unique character actors she appeared in

supporting roles in films such as The

Model and The Marriage Broker 1951 Shane

1953 and A Star Is Born 1954 typically

cast as spinsters secretaries or

eccentric towns folk these roles may

have been small but Culp made each one

memorable with her nuanced performances

her big break came when she was cast as

Miss Jane Hathaway the efficient and

primary to banker Milbour Dale on the

CBS sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies 1962

to

1971 culp’s portrayal of Miss Hathaway

was masterful she played the part with a

blend of uptight professionalism and

subtle romantic longing especially in

her unspoken crush on the clueless

Jethro Bodin played by Max Bear Jr her

deadpan reactions physical comedy and

dignified demeanor made her a fan

favorite and earned her an Emmy Award

nomination in 1967 for outstanding

supporting actress in a comedy series

her performance helped cement the show’s

success and gave Culp a permanent place

in American pop culture history beyond

the Beverly Hillbillies she appeared in

dozens of television series throughout

the 1950s to 1980s including Perry Mason

The Bob Cummings Show Sanford and Son

The Loveboat and Murphy Brown her

versatility allowed her to tackle both

comedic and dramatic roles with equal

skill she also lent her voice to several

animated television shows showcasing her

broad range and unique delivery after

her time in the entertainment industry

Kulp entered a new phase of life marked

by public service and education in the

early 1980s she ran for Congress in

Pennsylvania’s 9inth district as a

Democrat advocating for social justice

environmental protection and improved

education though she ultimately lost the

election partly due to strong Republican

opposition and a controversial lack of

support from her former co-star Buddy

Eson her candidacy exemplified her

courage and unwavering

principles following her political bid

()

Culp returned to academia she taught

acting and drama at Juniata College in

Pennsylvania sharing her experience and

love of the performing arts with young

aspiring actors her students admired her

for her honesty intellect and humility

in the classroom just as on set Culp was

known for her meticulous attention to

detail and her passion for

storytelling nancy Culp married Charles

Malcolm Dasis on April 1st 1951 in Dade

County Florida during the early years of

her transition into the entertainment

industry their marriage while relatively

private lasted for a decade before

ending in divorce in

1961 although little is publicly known

about the nature of their relationship

or the reasons for their separation Culp

rarely discussed her marriage in

interviews choosing instead to focus on

her professional accomplishments

the timing of their divorce coincided

with the rising arc of her television

career especially as she gained

recognition for her role as Miss Jane

Hathaway on the Beverly Hillbillies

which debuted the 1960s following year

in 1962 the dissolution of the marriage

marked a turning point in her personal

life after which Culp remained single

devoting much of her time to her work

and later to public service and charity

following her eventual retirement from

acting in the late 1980s Kulp

transitioned into a quieter more

introspective phase of her life she

()

first moved to a rural farm in

Connecticut seeking tranquility away

from the spotlight that had once defined

her career life on the farm offered her

an opportunity to reconnect with nature

and enjoy a slower pace that contrasted

sharply with the hustle of Hollywood

during this period Kulp also taught

acting and drama sharing her wealth of

experience with aspiring performers her

students often described her as warm

insightful and deeply committed to the

craft of performance finding inspiration

in her unique career trajectory and

unyielding authenticity

()

later Culp relocated to Palm Springs

California a city known not only for its

scenic desert landscapes and celebrity

residents but also for its strong sense

of community and commitment to

charitable causes in Palm Springs Kulp

immersed herself in philanthropic work

dedicating her time and energy to

several local organizations

one of her primary affiliations was with

the Humane Society of the Desert

reflecting her lifelong love for animals

she actively supported initiatives aimed

at rescuing and rehabilitating abused or

abandoned animals and often advocated

for responsible pet ownership culp was

also a member of the Desert Theater

League through which she remained

connected to the performing arts

community her involvement included

attending performances mentoring young

actors and occasionally participating in

local stage productions this allowed her

to continue fostering her passion for

acting even after stepping away from the

screen her presence in the local theater

scene was celebrated and she was admired

for her humility and willingness to give

back to the artistic community that had

once propelled her to national fame

()

additionally she contributed her efforts

to United Cerebral Paly a nonprofit

organization that supports individuals

with cerebral palsy and other

developmental disabilities her work with

UCP included fundraising public

awareness campaigns and hands-on support

at events culp’s commitment to this

cause underscored her compassion and

desire to make a tangible difference in

the lives of others particularly those

facing physical

challenges in her later years Nancy

Culp’s legacy expanded beyond her

television roles as she became known in

Palm Springs and beyond as a

compassionate civically engaged

individual whether it was caring for

animals encouraging budding actors or

championing the rights of people with

disabilities Culp’s posth Hollywood life

was marked by purpose service and an

enduring generosity of spirit for

decades fans of classic television might

never have imagined a connection between

two beloved but wildly different stars

nancy Culp the refined and witty actress

best known for her portrayal of the prim

and proper Miss Jane Hathaway on the

Beverly Hillbillies and Red Fox the

()

brash streets smart comedian who rose to

fame as the quick tonged Fred Sanford on

Sanford and Sun but behind the scenes of

Hollywood’s golden era the two shared a

bond that was not only unexpected but

deeply compelling and for many years

kept secret from the public eye nancy

Culp and Red Fox moved in very different

professional circles culp with her sharp

intellect dignified presence and

background in journalism and the

military had a reputation as a private

serious-minded woman she held a degree

in journalism from Florida State

University and had served in the US Navy

during World War II as a member of the

Women’s Reserve her path to acting came

almost by accident when her articulate

voice and commanding presence earned her

small roles in the early 1950s she was

soon typ cast as the quirky spinsterish

intellectual in a string of character

roles most famously as Jane Hathaway the

buttonedup secretary in the Beverly

Hillbillies from 1962 to 1971

()

red Fox on the other hand was a

powerhouse of raw comedy steeped in the

world of runchy standup and nightclub

routines long before network television

sanitized his persona known as the king

of the party records Fox built his early

career in the black entertainment

circuit known as the Chitlin circuit

crafting a persona that was irreverent

fast-talking and full of comedic edge

when he transitioned to television he

brought that same energy to Sanford and

Sun which aired in the 1970s and made

him a household name his style swagger

and unapologetic bluntness set him apart

from the reserved measured tone of

someone like Nancy Culp so how did two

such different people come together

according to insiders who later revealed

long guarded details their relationship

blossomed during a period when both

stars were navigating the complex

undercurrents of fame personal identity

and the ever watchful eye of the press

they reportedly met at a charity event

in Los Angeles in the late 1960s a time

when both actors were at the height of

their television fame though their

public personas couldn’t have been more

different they connected on a deeper

more intellectual level both were known

to be voracious readers passionate about

civil rights and unafraid to challenge

societal expectations in their private

lives it’s believed that the reason

their relationship remained a secret for

so long was due to the intense scrutiny

of the era not only were they an

interracial couple during a time when

such relationships were often met with

backlash but both were fiercely private

individuals culp who never publicly came

out as gay or bisexual was known for

deflecting questions about her personal

life fox meanwhile had his own reasons

for keeping his romantic entanglements

under wraps as he was already navigating

a turbulent public image shaped by

multiple marriages and personal

struggles there’s also speculation that

the relationship was more than just

romantic it was a true meeting of minds

()

culp admired Fox’s fearless approach to

comedy and social commentary while Fox

was reportedly drawn to her intellect

dry wit and sense of humor their

chemistry while never showcased on

screen was apparent to those who saw

them together at private gatherings and

parties where they would engage in long

conversations often laughing and

debating into the early hours ultimately

their relationship may have been

fleeting or simply one chapter in the

long and layered lives they both led but

as more stories have surfaced in the

years since their deaths Culp passed

away in

1991 Fox in 1991 as well the picture of

their bond has become clearer what they

shared was not just a secret romance but

a mutual respect and quiet companionship

that defied expectations and social

()

barriers their story is a poignant

reminder that even in the glitz and

spectacle of Hollywood some of the most

meaningful relationships happen far from

the spotlight rooted in friendship

understanding and a willingness to see

beyond the roles others assign us in the

end the real reason their relationship

stayed hidden for so long may not have

been scandal but simply the desire to

protect something rare and genuine in a

world that so often seeks to define

people by appearances

()

alone nancy Culp best known for her

portrayal of the prim and proper Miss

Jane Hathaway on the hit television

series The Beverly Hillbillies faced

serious health challenges later in her

life a longtime cigarette smoker Culp’s

habit likely contributed to the

development of the illness that would

eventually take her life like many of

her generation she began smoking at a

time when the health risks associated

with tobacco use were not yet widely

acknowledged and cigarettes were

commonly portrayed as fashionable and

even

sophisticated unfortunately decades of

tobacco use would have lasting

consequences

()

in 1990 Kulp was diagnosed with cancer a

revelation that marked the beginning of

a difficult and painful final chapter in

her life although the specific type of

cancer was not publicly disclosed she

bravely underwent chemotherapy in an

attempt to combat the disease

chemotherapy a harsh but often necessary

treatment is known for its debilitating

side effects including fatigue hair loss

nausea and compromised immunity despite

()

the physical and emotional toll the

treatment took Kulp approached her

illness with the same resilience and

grace that had characterized much of her

life and career however by 1991 just a

year after her initial diagnosis her

condition had worsened

significantly the cancer had spread

indicating that it had metastasized and

the treatments were no longer effective

in halting its progression friends

family and fans were devastated as her

health deteriorated rapidly on February

3rd

1991 Nancy Culp passed away at the age

of 69 in Palm Desert California a serene

desert city where she had spent her

final years her death marked the loss of

a unique and beloved figure in American

television history a woman who had not

only entertained millions but also

broken ground as a female comedic

actress in a maledominated industry

following her death Culp’s remains were

returned to her home state of

()

Pennsylvania she was interred at

Westminster Presbyterian Cemetery in

Mifflin Town a small town nestled in

Juniata County the peaceful setting of

the cemetery reflects the quiet dignity

of the woman herself and it serves as a

place where admirers and loved ones can

pay tribute to her legacy though her

physical presence is gone Nancy Culp’s

contributions to television her

memorable performances and her

trailblazing spirit continue to endure

in the hearts of those who cherished her

work and life to work