Early in her acting career, one Hollywood gossip sheet named her "the homeliest girl on television", referring to her role as "Pamela Livingstone" on Robert Cummings's series. In actual fact, she was quite popular on the show-biz dating scene and never lacked for amorous companionship. Although admitting later in life to "swinging both ways", this did not seem to dampen the ardor of her admirers.
Graduated from Florida State University (BA).
Had a Masters Degree in English & French from the University of Miami (Fla.)
In 1984, she ran as a Democrat for Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District, but lost to Republican incumbent "Bud Shuster". She blamed her "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962) co-star Buddy Ebsen for her defeat, because Ebsen taped a radio ad in support of Shuster, and deemed her "too liberal". She did not speak to Ebsen for several years afterward, but eventually made peace with him.
In contrast to her often befuddled and confused character of "Miss Jane" Hathaway, in real life she was a highly intelligent and cultured woman. Schooled in both languages and literature, she often impressed fans with her erudition.
Long divorced, she came out of the closet at the age of 67 and admitted she was a lesbian.
Was Arsenio Hall's very first guest on his talk show. She sat in with the house band.
Was an avid football fan.
Was fluent in French.
Was offered a movie role (The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951)) after being in Hollywood less than three weeks.
Writers played a twist on naming Nancy's best-known character, Miss Jane Hathaway. They reversed Nancy's first and middle names, so Nancy Jane Kulp became Jane Nancy Hathaway. We learned Miss Jane's middle name in The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) (TV).