Elinor Donahue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elinor Donahue
Donahue in 1960
Born	Mary Eleanor Donahue (1937-04-19) April 19, 1937 (age 88) Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Other names	Mary Elinor Donahue
Occupation	Actress author
Years active	1942–2011
Known for	*Father Knows Best *Many Happy Returns *The Andy Griffith Show *Star Trek: The Original Series Metamorphosis *The Odd Couple *Pretty Woman *Days of Our Lives
Spouse(s)	Richard Smith ​ ​ (m. 1955; div. 1961)​ Harry Ackerman ​ ​ (m. 1962; died 1991)​ Lou Genevrino ​ (m. 1992)​
Children	4

Elinor Donahue (born Mary Eleanor Donahue on April 19, 1937) is a famous American actress. She is best known for playing Betty Anderson. Betty was the oldest child on the popular 1950s TV show Father Knows Best. Elinor Donahue also appeared in many other TV shows and movies. She even wrote a cookbook!

Elinor Donahue's Early Life and Acting Career

Elinor Donahue was born in Tacoma, Washington. Her parents were Doris Genevieve and Thomas William Donahue. She started acting when she was very young.

She began dancing in movies at just five years old. Elinor was also a child actress in vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of live entertainment with different acts. As a teenager, she had small parts in movies. These included Love Is Better Than Ever (1952) and Tea for Two (1950). She also played a sister in Three Daring Daughters (1948).

Starring in Father Knows Best

Cast photo of the Anderson family from Father Knows Best in 1954. From left: Lauren Chapin, Billy Gray, Jane Wyatt, Robert Young, and Elinor Donahue.

Elinor Donahue became very famous for her role as Betty Anderson. Betty was the older daughter on the TV family series Father Knows Best. This show was on TV from 1954 to 1960.

Her co-stars were Robert Young as her dad, Jane Wyatt as her mom. Billy Gray played her younger brother, Bud. Lauren Chapin played her younger sister, Kathy.

Elinor Donahue and Lauren Chapin on Father Knows Best in 1959.

While working on Father Knows Best, Elinor also appeared on other shows. She was a judge on Jukebox Jury. She also guest-starred on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.

Elinor Donahue's Roles in the 1960s to 1980s

Elinor Donahue continued acting in many TV shows. In 1960, she was on Dennis the Menace. She also joined the main cast of The Andy Griffith Show.

George Nader (left), Elinor Donahue, and Andy Griffith on The Andy Griffith Show in 1961.

On The Andy Griffith Show, she played Ellie Walker. Ellie was a pharmacist and Andy's love interest. She was even mentioned in the opening credits! After one season, she decided to leave the show.

In 1963, she appeared in the Western series Have Gun Will Travel. She also acted in The Eleventh Hour, a medical drama. In 1967, she guest-starred on Star Trek. She played Commissioner Nancy Hedford in the episode "Metamorphosis".

Nick Adams and Elinor Donahue on General Electric Theater in 1961.

From 1968 to 1970, she played the sister of Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun. She also had a recurring role as Miriam Welby on The Odd Couple from 1972 to 1975.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, Elinor appeared in many popular shows. She was on Diff'rent Strokes in 1979. In 1984, she played a mother on Happy Days. She also appeared on The Golden Girls in 1989.

Elinor Donahue and Lawrence Pressman promoting Mulligan's Stew in 1977.

Elinor Donahue's Work in the 1990s and Beyond

In 1990, Elinor Donahue was in the movie Pretty Woman. She played Bridget, a clothing store manager. She also played Gladys Peterson on the sitcom Get a Life from 1990 to 1992.

She had a regular role as Rebecca Quinn on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. In 1994, she made a guest appearance on Friends as Aunt Lillian. She also voiced a character on the animated series Eek! the Cat.

In 1998, Elinor Donahue wrote a book. It was called In the Kitchen with Elinor Donahue. The book shared her memories from Hollywood and included over 150 recipes!

In 2010, she appeared on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. She played Judge Anderson. This character was an old friend of Nikki Newman. The wedding scene on the show even took place in a house that looked like the one from Father Knows Best!

In 2015, Elinor Donahue acted in a play called Harvey. She called this role her "swan song," meaning it was her last major performance.

Elinor Donahue's Personal Life

Elinor Donahue was married three times. Her first husband was Richard Smith. They had one son together. Her second husband was producer Harry Ackerman. He adopted her son, and they had three more sons together. Harry Ackerman passed away in 1991.

In 1992, Elinor married actor Lou Genevrino. She has four children in total.

Elinor Donahue's Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Books

Awards and Nominations

Elinor Donahue has been recognized for her acting.