Nancy Kulp wore many hats: Publicity person, actress, linguist, would-be politician and teacher. Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Kulp attended college in Florida, then headed for Hollywood to work in publicity for the movies, not star in them.

Soon after arriving in Hollywood, Kulp was convinced by director George Cukor and casting director Billy Gordon that she should be in front of the camera, not behind the scenes. What that began was a solid career as a character actress in films and television, including two memorable roles: on The Bob Cummings Show (1955) as bird-loving "Pamela Livingstone" and on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as the long-suffering, lovesick and bird-loving "Miss Jane Hathaway".

After the Hillbillies ended its nine year run, Kulp found work in theater, Broadway and television, and dabbled in politics, making an unsuccessful 1984 run for congress in Pennsylvania. Later, she taught acting and retired to a farm in Connecticut and, later, Palm Springs.