Arnold the Pig was the first pig Eva Gabor had ever met

The character was known for living on a farm, but the actress had never even been to one.

July 25, 2024, 3:33PM By MeTV Staff

The Everett Collection

Eva Gabor was known for being one of the most glamorous women of her time. From her elegant style and well-maintained beauty routine to her association with a high-society lifestyle; It was an achievement of a lifetime when Gabor got down and dirty in her role as Lisa Douglas on Green Acres.

Before stepping into the role of Lisa Douglas, Gabor had limited experience with real farms, farm animals and country living. It wasn't until Green Acres that she learned just how much work went into maintaining a farm, which was arguably more work than maintaining her rigorous beauty routine.

According to a 1970 interview with Fort Lauderdale News, Gabor had never been to the type of farm depicted in Green Acres, and she wasn't sure she'd ever want to either.

"Yes, I have been on farms but they had polo ponies," Gabor said. "I was on Paul Butler's farm near Chicago and it had an airstrip. And then I have been on the Seabrook farms, you know, the frozen foods Seabrook, but these are not real farms, are they?"

Not only did Gabor have little knowledge about farming, but she also had very little experience with farm animals. According to the interview, besides Arnold the Pig, who was just as high-fashion and rich as she was, Gabor had never met a pig in real life.

"I never met a pig until I met Arnold," Gabor said. "This is my first encounter with a pig. I adore him. Do you know Arnold has fan clubs all over?"

Not many ladies from the farm dressed like Gabor either. Gabor was known for being a fashion icon, something her character on Green Acres took inspiration from.

"If Lisa wore clothes like a real farm woman, then there wouldn't be any show," Gabor said. "And Oliver is a farmer, but he wears tuxedos. That's what makes our show a comedy, dahling."

Despite having very little experience with the farming lifestyle, Gabor's character was still able to connect with fans all over the country. Many related to Lisa Douglas, some wished they were Lisa Douglas and others found her funny.

"It's the audience that makes the show," Gabor said. "Everybody can only do his best. Some shows have different writers all the time, and lousy scripts. We have the same producers and writers and we never have a line changed. I think that's the key to a successful show."

Although Lisa Douglas was known for living on a farm, it was something Gabor didn't think she'd ever do off-screen. She'd much rather stick to her polo ponies.