Belleville in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Christian "Buddy" Ebsen
1908-2003
— Star of Stage, Screen, and Television —
Photographed By Jason Voigt, July 15, 2020
1. Christian "Buddy" Ebsen Marker
Born in Belleville, Buddy was the son of Christian Ebsen, the physical fitness instructor of the Belleville Turners. Fitness and dance instruction by his father served Buddy well and led to a 70-year career in show business. The Ebsen family left Belleville in 1920, and by the late 20s Buddy was performing on Broadway as a dancer. He arrived in Hollywood in the 1930s and danced in films starring Shirley Temple and Judy Garland. He gained recognition in television in the 1950s in Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett," but greater fame came in the 1960s and 70s when he starred in the "Beverly Hillbillies" and "Barnaby Jones."Erected 2014 by Belleville Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 38° 30.827′ N, 89° 59.068′ W. Marker is in Belleville, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street and North Illinois Street (Illinois Route 159), on the right when traveling west on West Main Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert "Bob" Goalby (here, next to this marker); Julius Liese (here, next to this marker); Carrie Thomas Alexander-Bahrenburg (here, next to this marker); Ruth A. Sterling (here, next to this marker); George Blair (here, next to this marker); Gustavus P. Koerner / Sophia Engelmann Koerner (here, next to this marker); Edward A. Daley (here, next to this marker); Ninian Edwards (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belleville.
More about this marker. Ebsen was one of five inaugural inductees into Belleville's Walk of Fame. 2014 was the year the city of Belleville celebrated its bicentennial, and the local historical society decided to start a Walk of Fame at the northwest quadrant of Belleville Public Square. (The other inaugural inductees were Bob Goalby, Ninian Edwards, George Blair and Lyman Trumbull.)
Regarding Christian "Buddy" Ebsen. In addition to having a star/plaque in his hometown of Belleville, Ebsen also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1765 Vine Street).
Also see . . . Buddy Ebsen on Wikipedia. Gives more details about his entertainment career, including his film and television credits. Ebsen was famous for backing out of the Tin Man role in the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz, because he was allergic to the makeup. (Submitted on July 21, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed By Jason Voigt, July 15, 2020
2. Christian "Buddy" Ebsen Marker
Red arrow points to the plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
