Who’s Still Alive From ‘Barnaby Jones’? Plus: Fun Facts About the Show!
When Barnaby Jones premiered in 1973, it brought a fresh twist to the private eye genre. Buddy Ebsen starred as a retired private investigator who returns to the job after his son’s murder, teaming up with his widowed daughter-in-law Betty, played by Lee Meriwether. Known for its slower pace and emphasis on logic and evidence over car chases and violence, the show ran for eight seasons and became a dependable favorite in CBS’s crime drama lineup. Have you ever wondered which main stars are still alive in 2025? Let’s find out, then enjoy some additional fun facts about the series.
Lee Meriwether (90)
Betty Jones
CBS/Everett Collection; Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images
Meriwether, who became very close with Ebsen during filming, is one of the few stars still alive from the show and recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She first came onto the scene as Miss America in 1955 then wowed audiences as Catwoman and later Betty.
She continues to work, more recently appearing in shows like Desperate Housewives, The League and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 and engages with her fans at nostalgia conventions. Learn more about her below!
Mark Shera (75)
J.R. Jones
Everett Collection
Shera, who played Barnaby’s cousin J.R. Jones in the later seasons, left acting after roles in other ’70s and ’80s shows like Fantasy Island. He has stayed mostly out of the public eye since the 1990s, with little known about his current activities.
Meanwhile, Ebsen died on July 6, 2003 of respiratory failure.
Now, here are some fun facts about the series that remains so beloved:
1 The pilot was a crossover event
Everett Collection
The very first episode of Barnaby Jones, titled “Requiem for a Son,” aired on January 28, 1973, and cleverly connected the new series to an already successful one called Cannon, starring William Conrad. In the pilot, Cannon assists Barnaby Jones in tracking down his son’s killer, which helped attract viewers familiar with Conrad’s character.
The crossover provided a strong ratings boost and an immediate sense of credibility for the fledgling series. The move was part of CBS’s broader strategy of cross-promoting their detective shows, which also included Mannix and Hawaii Five-O.
2 Ford cars got the star treatment
Robert Phillips/Everett Collection
The show had a product placement agreement with Ford Motor Company, which supplied the latest models for the main characters to drive. Barnaby Jones often drove a full-sized Ford LTD, a car known for its size and smooth ride. Betty’s cars changed over time but included models like the Mustang and Pinto.
3 There was almost a Beverly Hillbillies crossover
Tony Esparza/TV Guide/©CBS/Everett Collection
Ebsen was best known to many viewers as Jed Clampett from The Beverly Hillbillies, which had ended just two years before Barnaby Jones began. At one point in the 1980s, Ebsen pitched a film idea that would feature a comedic crossover between his two most famous characters. The concept was that Barnaby Jones would be hired to find a missing Jed Clampett, playing both roles himself.
Although the film was never made, Ebsen did eventually reprise his Hillbillies role in the 1993 movie version, making a cameo appearance as Barnaby Jones instead of Jed, which delighted longtime fans of both shows.
4 Ebsen had a secret to staying alert on set
Everett Collection
Ebsen was already in his mid-60s when he took on the role of Barnaby, and he continued working into his 70s throughout the series’ run. Crew members often mentioned that Ebsen would take quick naps in his trailer and emerge refreshed and ready for the next take. If he ever looked a little groggy in a scene, it was likely because he had just woken up from a nap!
5 One costume clue always revealed the bad guy
Everett Collection
For longtime fans, there was a running gag among the show’s costume choices: if a character showed up wearing a flashy or gaudy sport coat, odds were high they were up to no good. This wasn’t an official rule, but over time it became a fun pattern viewers noticed. Though these loud outfits may not necessarily point to a killer, they did generally signal that the character was a bad guy.
Barnaby Jones is available to stream for free on Pluto TV or watch on MeTV.
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