Elinor Donahue
Known for Acting · 83 credits
- Born
- 1937-04-19 (age 89)
- Place of birth
- Tacoma, Washington, USA
- Also known as
- Mary Eleanor Donahue
Biography
Mary Eleanor Donahue (born April 19, 1937), credited as Elinor Donahue, is an American actress, best remembered today for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best.
Donahue achieved stardom for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the television family series Father Knows Best. Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her younger brother, James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin as her younger sister, Kathy.
Donahue was a musical judge in ABC's Jukebox Jury (1953–54). While in the first season of Father Knows Best she also appeared on The Ray Bolger Show, starring Ray Bolger as a song-and-dance man. Thereafter, she was cast with James Best, Ann Doran, and J. Carrol Naish in the 1956 episode "The White Carnation" of the religion anthology series, Crossroads. She guest starred on an episode of U.S. Marshal. She also appeared as a new bride in the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show episode titled "The Newlyweds" that aired April 2, 1956.
She played Georgiana Balanger in the episode "Dennis and the Wedding" (1960) on Dennis the Menace.[5] Donahue was also cast, in 1960, with Marion Ross in an episode ("Duet") of The Brothers Brannagan. She played Miriam Welby on ABC's The Odd Couple, Jane Mulligan on Mulligan's Stew, and Nurse Hunnicut on Days of Our Lives.
She was featured in 12 episodes of CBS's The Andy Griffith Show as pharmacist Ellie Walker, even getting a mention in the opening credits. The character was intended to be a love interest for Sheriff Andy Taylor, but after one season (1960–1961), Donahue decided to ask for a release from her three-year contract.[6]
Known For
TV Shows (48)
Friends
1994
as Aunt Lillian
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Connie Lewis
The Andy Griffith Show
1960
as Ellie Walker
The Love Boat
1977
as Rowena / Betty Anderson / Mrs. Van Buren
Star Trek
1966
as Commissioner Nancy Hedford
Cold Case
2003
as Esther 'Legs' Davis (2005)
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957
as Letty Mae Stinchcomb
The Virginian
1962
as Carole Cole
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
1993
as Rebecca Quinn
Dr. Kildare
1961
as Sharon Calloway
Hotel
1982
as Louise
The Golden Girls
1985
as Katherine
Coach
1989
as Lorraine
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
Happy Days
1974
The Odd Couple
1970
as Miriam Welby
Barnaby Jones
1973
as Judy Corbett
Police Woman
1974
as Ellie Tarlow
Ellen
1994
as Delores Warwell
The Rookies
1972
Father Knows Best
1954
as Betty Anderson
CHiPs
1977
as Elnor Donahue (uncredited)
77 Sunset Strip
1958
as Laura Holt
One Day at a Time
1975
The Flying Nun
1967
as Dr. Jennifer Ethrington
Dennis the Menace
1959
Police Story
1973
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
1950
as Emily Vanderlip Foster
Herman's Head
1991
as Mrs. Fitzer
Eek! The Cat
1992
as Mom (voice)
Battle of the Network Stars
1976
Get a Life
1990
as Gradys Peterson
The Eleventh Hour
1962
S.W.A.T.
1975
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Debbie Waring / Janey
Occasional Wife
1966
$weepstake$
1979
The Brothers Brannagan
1960
as Diane
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
1987
as Susan Baxter
General Electric Theater
1953
as Carol Madsen
Redigo
1963
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Condominium
1980
as Audrey Ames
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
Diff'rent Strokes
1978
Mulligan's Stew
1977
as Jane Mulligan
Many Happy Returns
1964
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
1969
Movies (35)
Pretty Woman
1990
as Bridget
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
2004
as Lady Palimore
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
1991
as Orphanage Woman
Imitation of Life
1959
as Lora's Friend
Dear God
1996
as Elinor Donahue
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within
2001
as Rebecca Quinn Dickinson
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
2016
as Self
Going Berserk
1983
as Margaret Anderson
High School U.S.A.
1983
as Mrs. Franklin
Three Daring Daughters
1948
as Alix Morgan
Singing Guns
1950
as Little Girl (uncredited)
Police Story: No Margin for Error
1978
Gidget Gets Married
1972
as Medley Blaine
And Now Tomorrow
1944
as Janice
The Unfinished Dance
1947
as Josie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
Love Is Better Than Ever
1952
as Pattie Marie Levoy
Girls Town
1959
as Mary Lee Morgan
My Blue Heaven
1950
as Mary (uncredited)
Tea for Two
1950
Dick Clark's Good Old Days
1977
The Happy Years
1950
as Connie Brown
Tenth Avenue Angel
1948
as Cynthia (uncredited)
Winter Wonderland
1946
as Betty Wheeler
Honeymoon Lodge
1943
as Janie Thomas
Girls' Town
1942
as Bit Role (uncredited)
The Father Knows Best Reunion
1977
as Betty Anderson
Mister Big
1943
as Muggsy
In Name Only
1969
as Esther Garrity
Her First Romance
1951
as Lucille Stewart
No Earthly Reason
1984
as Mrs. Morrison
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas
1977
as Betty Anderson
Mulligan's Stew
1977
as Jane Mulligan
Doctors' Private Lives
1978
as Mona Wise
An Old-Fashioned Girl
1949
as Maud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
About Elinor Donahue
Mary Eleanor Donahue (born April 19, 1937), credited as Elinor Donahue, is an American actress, best remembered today for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Donahue achieved stardom for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the television family series Father Knows Best. Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her younger brother, James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin as her younger sister, Kathy. Donahue was a musical… With 83 credits spanning from 1942 to 2016, Elinor Donahue has appeared in 35 films and 48 TV shows.
Fans searching for Elinor Donahue movies, Elinor Donahue filmography, or the latest projects starring Elinor Donahue can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Elinor Donahue Movies
- Pretty Woman (1990) — as Bridget
- The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) — as Lady Palimore
- Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) — as Orphanage Woman
- Imitation of Life (1959) — as Lora's Friend
- Dear God (1996) — as Elinor Donahue
Where to Watch Elinor Donahue Films
Most Elinor Donahue movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Elinor Donahue, check our movies catalogue and browse page.