‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Actor Sues CBS Over BBQ Chain

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The actor who played Jethro Bodine in the 1960s television series “The Beverly Hillbillies” is suing CBS, arguing the broadcaster made inappropriate deals with an Iowa restaurant chain to use the character’s name.

Max Baer Jr. filed a lawsuit Tuesday arguing that he had reached a deal with CBS giving him rights to use the TV character to establish a chain of restaurants, hotels and casinos.

The Des Moines Register reports the lawsuit argues that Baer’s rights to the character have been undermined by the Jethro’s BBQ restaurant chain, which is based in Des Moines.

The chain’s owner says the company isn’t named as a defendant and that customers have nothing to worry about.

A CBS spokeswoman says it will try to amicably resolve the issue with Baer.