Elinor Donahue

Actress

"Until I was 18, which was shortly after we started filming 'Father Knows Best,' the day of my 18th birthday, they brought in a cake at 5 o'clock sang 'Happy Birthday,' and said, 'ha-ha now you don't get to go home. Now you'll work late like the rest of us!'"

About This Interview

Elinor Donahue was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Burbank, CA. Donahue talks about growing up as a performer in radio and vaudeville, and outlines her early film career in films Mister Big and The Unfinished Dance. She describes appearing in early experimental television for Klaus Landsberg (under hot lights and wearing unusual make-up) and speaks fondly of Ray Bolger, whom she danced with on The Ray Bolger Show. She details her role as teenager "Betty ‘Princess' Anderson" on the classic ‘50s television sitcom Father Knows Best, and chronicles auditioning for the role, the long production hours, and the series' abrupt cancellation. She recalls working with series producer Eugene Rodney, whom she described as a "benevolent despot" that demanded strict adherence to the script. Donahue discusses working with fictional father Robert Young, "mother" Jane Wyatt and "siblings" Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. She talks of her marriage to the sound man on the series and working on the show until six weeks before the birth of her first child, disguising her pregnancy from the cameras. Donahue then recalls her role as Andy Taylor's love interest, "Ellie May Walker," on The Andy Griffith Show, and describes the atmosphere on the Griffith set. She recounts tales of two other recurring parts, those of "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple and "Rebecca" on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She discusses playing the mother of 30-year-old paperboy Chris Elliot on Get A Life and how she read for the part as if she were speaking to a twelve-year-old, not knowing that Elliot would be playing an adult lead. Donahue also talks about her many guest appearances on various series over the years, including The Loretta Young Show, Star Trek, and Ellen. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on April 25, 2006.

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Performers > Actress
- Elinor Donahue on her very early start in show business
  Clip begins at: 01:10, Duration: 02m 40s

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2013-05-04 17:41.

Oh I just love her. She looks so beautiful. Loved the Father Knows Best show as a kid. I saw her on an episode of Star Trek years latet and she was just wonderful in it. Take Care

Submitted by Louis Wiley on Mon, 2013-03-11 19:24.

I imagine like most teenage boys, young men I had a giant crush on Elinor in the fifties. I still do have a giant crush on her. I just watched her interview and enjoyed seeing her real personality. I love her laugh and she laughs easily. In her portrayal of Betty I don't recall seeing her laugh so much.
I'm proud to have her autograph and point it out to family and visitors. I know her birthday is next month in April and I'd like to say to her, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELINOR!

Louis

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2013-03-07 01:03.

I fell in love with her when i was a teenager...still love today

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2013-01-12 03:15.

Loved her then, love her now. Beautiful and charming! Bought the series on DVD so I can enjoy again.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2012-08-06 11:36.

I believe it would serve well for Elinor Donahue to permit her birth year of 1937
to be displayed on Cast and Crew lists of various tv shows. I am close to her age
and it was simple for me to guess Ms. Donahue's age, as I grew up watching
the shows like Life With Father. I admire all who do not resort to painful
plastic surgery to try to look young/unreal for one's age. There is much
character and grace in normal aging, so long as one is well groomed. There
is far too much emphasis on people, especially women being expected to
look eternally young! I have decided that the most superior human beings
accept aging as part of life's plan, reminding us all that this mortal life is
one of preparation for eternal life, with all it's rewards, and all that we endure
in this mortal life will truly mold our internal souls to enjoy the greatest
measure of happiness that will endure-------eternally!

Submitted by Paul Lee on Thu, 2012-07-05 19:47.

Ms. Donahue is truly an eternal beauty, inside and outside. She's long been one of my favorite actors, mostly because she brings such integrity, or truth, to all of her roles. I pray that she and her family are well and that she will continue to bless us with her wonderful gifts. I really can't thank you enough for conducting and posting this precious interview with one of Hollywood's greatest stars.

Submitted by Ladybug on Wed, 2012-07-04 05:03.

I believe she has held up very well over the years. I can tell she has gone though a rough life. I loved her role in Fathers knows Best, and watched that show all the time. It's nice to know she hails from, Tacoma, Washington. Good stalk comes fom here. I wish the best for Elnor.

Submitted by virginiaarnold1 on Sat, 2012-05-12 04:03.

I have enjoyed Miss Donahue's performances on film and on TV. She was a great addition to the MGM roster of child stars. And then she graced the TV screen. Then I caught her performances in some more recent movies. She looks like someone I would be happy to know! Down-to-earth and sweet.

Submitted by Beans for President on Fri, 2012-04-06 01:55.

I had a crush on her for years..she still looks fabulous, and the interviews are very insightful. Tough childhood but you can really see how she accepted it and became stronger from it.

Submitted by toilettduckk on Mon, 2011-07-18 19:50.

I always thought Andy should have stuck with Miss Ellie. She was a lot better match for him than Helen Crump.

Submitted by lloydvictim on Wed, 2011-05-18 10:23.

She's MY mother's grandma and my grandma's mother. I am that desperate.

Seriously though, a great interview of a great actress and great lady.

Submitted by thowen1988 on Mon, 2011-05-02 23:59.

I've enjoyed watching the Elinor Donohue interview. I grew up with 'Father Knows Best', 'Andy Griffith Show', and 'The Odd Couple'. Thank you, Elinor, for such enjoyable television.

Submitted by 3140coleman on Sun, 2011-04-24 11:18.

yes what a beauty. does a 12 year old in 1955 I was so in love with her. and the beautiful bright engaging smile still makes my old heart skip a beat.

Submitted by MsBackstager on Thu, 2011-04-21 19:32.

Class acts live on.

Submitted by MsBackstager on Thu, 2011-04-21 19:21.

This lovely lady reminds me of my lovely aunt.

Submitted by ratherfam on Mon, 2011-04-18 21:27.

she will always be a 20 year old college sweetheart-and Man! what a surprise! Can she dance? you betcha!

Submitted by rubyhunternc on Sat, 2011-04-09 20:41.

When she starts speaking her voice is strong but by the time she gets close to the end of her thought her voice trails off to a soft raspy wisper almost inaudible. I had to keep running it back to get what she was saying. Then she laughed while she was saying her friend got run over by a Taxi and I couldn't understand what she had said. I've always loved her though and just didn't want to miss any of what she was saying.

Submitted by johnstreak on Sat, 2011-04-02 06:44.

I think your performance as Ellie Walker was superb. I always wondered why you didn't remain on the series. I thought you fit the show like a glove. The Christmas show with you and Andy singing together is precious and still brings a tear to my eye. I really think you under-rate yourself Elinor. I would never consider changing the channel while your face is on the screen. Your warm, beautiful smile lights up the room. No one will ever forget you.

Submitted by johnstreak on Sat, 2011-04-02 06:27.

Thank-you so much Elinor for sharing yourself with us.

Submitted by johnstreak on Sat, 2011-04-02 03:20.

I just hope Elinor reads these posts. I've never seen a more beautiful spirit. Watching her is like watching an angel. The world is so much sweeter for her being in it. She is one of the few actresses I would love to meet personally, just to be able to say I once touched her hand. Thank-you Elinor for everything. Live long and prosper.

Submitted by ptevlin on Wed, 2011-03-30 08:27.

What an incredibly beautiful woman. Becoming more beautiful with age.

Submitted by brookiecookie8808 on Tue, 2011-03-29 00:10.

Eugene Rodney (the producer) is my grand father! It's really cool seeing my papa's name on YouTube.

Submitted by MrCrs713 on Fri, 2011-03-18 02:17.

loved her on "Father Knows Best". Always saw her as a down to earth sister.
Great to see her.

Submitted by blxart on Thu, 2011-03-17 23:38.

amazing how she kept her looks.....she was beautiful in the 50's and still is ......

Submitted by fran9860 on Fri, 2011-02-11 21:23.

@MrDAVIDEO84 Kitten was my favorite:)!

Submitted by KB4QAA on Thu, 2011-01-27 06:55.

The sweetest and one of the most beautiful actresses, ever.

Submitted by MrDAVIDEO84 on Mon, 2011-01-17 22:37.

" FATHER KNOWS BEST ! " IS ABSOLUTELY STILL
ON THE AIR ! , AS OF THIS DAY ( JANUARY 17, 2011 )
I JUST SAW AN EPISODE ON " ANTENA TV "
I LOVE ABSOLUTELY ADORE, MISS ELINOR DONAHUE !

Submitted by george85v on Wed, 2010-12-22 03:41.

when i was 8 years old i was in love with her.still beautiful

Submitted by overbrookXXX on Sun, 2010-12-19 01:43.

Very talented lady.

Submitted by CarlDuke on Sun, 2010-11-07 04:43.

@lakewalker11 On that show her character's name was Mariam Welby, which was an inside joke as at that time Robert Young was starring in the very highly rated show Marcus Welby, M. D.

Submitted by lakewalker11 on Wed, 2010-10-27 17:33.

And to think Felix Unger left her to go back to Gloria!

Still beautiful and classy...Love her!

Submitted by rockandroll4evermore on Sun, 2010-10-10 17:03.

I adored her when I was a kid... She is still beautiful, as always.

Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time