Hold onto your hats, folks, because it's hard to believe that 40 years have flown by since the first episode of The Dukes of Hazzard aired. And guess what? That legendary Dodge Charger isn’t the only thing from the show that’s become iconic. Catherine Bach, the actress behind the unforgettable character of Daisy Duke, made waves in her own right with those signature jean shorts. And believe it or not, that fashion choice was all her idea.
At 65, Catherine is back in the spotlight, teaming up with her former co-star Tom Wopat to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary. The duo is hitting the road with the "Good Ole Boys Tour," a car show and concert series that kicks off on Saturday, April 13, in Bakersfield, California. Recently, she sat down with Fox News to reminisce about her career-defining role, including the legendary jean shorts that made Daisy Duke a household name.
When asked if it was true that she was the mastermind behind Daisy Duke's iconic outfit, Catherine laughed and said, "You would have too!" She went on to explain that the show's creators initially wanted her to wear a poodle skirt that matched the tablecloth. Can you imagine? Catherine wasn’t having it. "You want me to match the tablecloth? That’s demeaning to women," she boldly told them. The creators were quick to backtrack, saying, "We didn’t come up with that!"
Read also:Mary Mouser Erome Unveiling The Star Beyond The Spotlight
Catherine shared a funny story about how the creators justified their initial vision. "They took me across the street from Warner Brothers, and sure enough, there were these older ladies waitressing at this little Italian restaurant, wearing poodle skirts that matched the tablecloth." But Catherine had her own ideas, inspired by a certain country music legend. "I had go-go boots, a white turtleneck, and a blonde wig because the creator loved Dolly Parton," she recalled. "I thought, 'We need a costume change.' So I put on my trusty jean shorts that I could never get even, paired them with cowboy boots and a little top. They loved it!" And just like that, history was made.
Looking Back on the Legacy of 'The Dukes of Hazzard'
Catherine is nothing short of proud of the lasting legacy of the show. "It’s wild, isn’t it? I’m so proud of what we created," she said with a smile. "We’ve managed to entertain people for decades. And now it’s a hit on Amazon. It’s just wonderful. That’s what the show was all about—entertaining people." She continued, "I’ve done a lot of different things since that show, but this role continues to resonate with people. It makes me proud. And I just love meeting the fans. We want to take 'Dukes' on the road for them because of that show, I’ve not only met fans but their kids too. It’s a shared history we all cherish."
Interestingly, Catherine almost didn’t land the iconic role. "It was a total fluke that I became Daisy Duke! I’m half Mexican and half German, and my agency said, 'You’re way too exotic and just not television material'—and they fired me!" she once revealed to Closer Weekly. Thankfully, fate had other plans. "My first husband, David Shaw, worked with Bob Clark, who was writing with the show’s creator, Gy Waldron. Bob said, 'It would be fun for them to meet someone I sort of based the character on.' I told my girlfriend, 'I’m not going to do it—they’ve been looking for a year and want a blonde like Dolly Parton, not me.' She said, 'Who cares? Just go.'" Two weeks later, Catherine had the role, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Stay Tuned for More Classic TV Magic
Be sure to check out and subscribe to our Classic TV & Film Podcast for exclusive interviews with your favorite stars! You don’t want to miss a single episode.
