<P> The Beverly Hillbillies is an American sitcom ( situation comedy ) television series originally broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971 . The show had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen , Irene Ryan , Donna Douglas , and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts , a poor backwoods family ( from Ozarks of Arkansas or eastern Appalachian Mountains region ) who move to posh Beverly Hills , California , after striking oil on their land . The show was produced by Filmways and was created by writer Paul Henning . It was followed by two other Henning - inspired `` country cousin '' series on CBS : Petticoat Junction , and its spin - off Green Acres , which reversed the rags - to - riches , country - to - city model of The Beverly Hillbillies . </P>
where did the beverly hillbillies live before they moved to california
Ozarks of Arkansas or eastern Appalachian Mountains region