The 83 years old Elinor Donahue is best known for her act in the 1950s sitcom, Father Knows Best as Betty Anderson.Her career started in 1942 when she was only 5 years old after appearing in a dancing-chorus film. Market data provided by Factset. At the moment, Elinor Donahue is 83 years old and is at peace with the decision she made in 2011: to leave the entertainment industry. Nothing was any different and it was wonderful. STARTS WITH Ele-ASSOCIATED WITH old, greek, compassion (gracious), powerful, intelligence, literary, lady (noble) Variations Trending April 27, 2020 Dick Van Dyke – 92 Years Old. All rights reserved. “I thought I’d blown the whole thing and literally put it out of my mind.”. She quickly joined the cast of “The Andy Griffith Show.” She played pharmacist Ellie Walker from 1960 until 1961. With Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray. Dick Van Dyke became a household name when he … “You could just sense it… But we sat down and read through it once and it was as though the years had flown by. It was the strangest feeling. The ‘50s sitcom, which was based on a beloved radio show, told the story of a wise family man, his wife and their children. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. It was years before we actually saw each other again, and during that time I’d thought it was only Mr. Young [who] wanted to stop. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me – very lovely things – I was doing OK. Legal Statement. “As far as I know, and nobody knows what’s around the corner, it’s no more,” she said. Getty images. But things didn’t seem to be going terribly well. I loved dancing, and that was going to be my career as far as I was concerned.”, Still, Donahue’s agent Lily Messenger was determined she score an audition for the series. “I got nervous and started to cry. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin reveals how she felt the first time she ever saw a deaf actress on television and discusses the importance of authentic representation on screen. Tap dancing at the age of 16 months, pert and pretty Elinor Donahue has been entertaining audiences for six decades. "I admit, I was sad and disappointed that Mr. Young and Jane Wyatt never said anything. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Why 'The Rock' is endorsing THIS candidate, Susan Sarandon calls out Biden, Dems over size of stimulus checks: 'Pulling a bait and switch', Morgan Wallen dropped by talent agency amid racial slur drama, Ana de Armas shares video of herself listening to Amy Winehouse’s ‘You Sent Me Flying’ after Ben Affleck split, Jim Weatherly, Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train to Georgia' songwriter, dead at 77, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez are all smiles in latest Instagram photo, ‘Harry Potter’ star Rupert Grint says he 'stopped watching' the films after third installment. Born Mary Eleanor Donahue in Tacoma, Washington, on April 19, 1937, she appeared as a radio singer and vaudeville dancer while a mere toddler, then was picked up by Universal Studios at the age of 5. Donahue would go on to stay busy as an actress, appearing in hit shows, such as “Star Trek” and “The Odd Couple,” just to name a few. I was just not a happy camper and there was no point in my trying to continue with it.”. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, They wanted to just say, ‘Thank you very much and goodbye,’ but he said, ‘You know, she’s very nervous. Directed by Peter Tewksbury. Legal Statement. “Robert Young (Jim Anderson) and Jane Wyatt (Margaret Anderson) have retired and they don’t want to do it anymore, so they just stopped.’ We had enough episodes in the can to make an entire season without having to shoot any more; back then we were shooting 39 episodes a year. Tap dancing at the age of 16 months, pert and pretty Elinor Donahue has been entertaining audiences for six decades. Donahue, then 17, starred as Betty Anderson from 1954 until 1960. I didn’t think there was any real chemistry there. “I think the appeal of the show is the sweetness and the kindness that people had toward one another,” said Donahue. ... 11 years old. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Elinor Donahue believed her days as a child star were long gone before her hit series “Father Knows Best” came along. Elinor Donahue (upper right) with her TV family from the show "Father Knows Best." I was doing a scene with Robert Young being off stage. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. These 2021 Sundance Film Festival headliners became household names thanks to some unforgettable roles early in their careers. He was very nice. There was no mean spiritedness to it.”. However, Donahue didn’t stay unemployed for long. She’s perfectly content with not living in front of cameras anymore. Kathy is certain that the Andersons' Christmas Eve will be ruined by the visit of spinsterish Aunt Neva, but she learns a valuable lesson when she stops pouting long enough to listen to a Christmas story told by an elderly repairman. (Getty). It proved to be a difficult transition. Elinor, why don’t you come and sit over here? “I had been on a contract to MGM and done a couple of nice movies there when I was 9, 10, 11 years old. (Reuters). The magazine added part of the reason was due to a strike of the Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960. Jane Wyatt and I became very dear friends in the later parts of her life, and she told me they made the decision together.”. Padma Lakshmi's Battle with Endometriosis and Its … In the end, we really, really loved it.”. Related posts. Born Mary Eleanor Donahue in Tacoma, Washington, on April 19, 1937, she appeared as a radio singer and vaudeville dancer while a mere toddler, then was picked up by Universal Studios at the age of 5. Elinor Donahue believed her days as a child star were long gone before the hit series “Father Knows Best” came along. To this day, the mere mention of Sophia Loren still commands awe and respect. I didn’t feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didn’t feel capable. Would you like a Coca-Cola?’ I said, ‘Yes, thank you; that would be nice.’, "And he said, ‘You just sit here and let yourself calm down a little bit and they’ll fix your makeup and we’ll do someone else and then come back and try you again.’”. or redistributed. “It has a warmth and loving energy to it that was very special. Celebs Jun 29, 2020. VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD FLASHBACK: THE GOLDEN GLOBES FROM THE '50S, '60S & '70S. “Father Knows Best” became a TV sensation, one that still connects with audiences today. Cast in minor child roles in such ... Betty Anderson / Betty / Donna Stuart / The Angel, The American Family in TV Family Portraits, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within, Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story, Something's Abyss/The Unbearable Lightness of Being Scooter, The Great Eekscape/Eek Goes to the Hot Spot, Beans' Unpleasant Introduction to Modern Science, Beans' Wicked and Awesome Adventures at College, Vicki's Dilemma/Discount Romance/Loser & Still Champ, He's My Brother/Zeke and Zelda/Teach Me Tonight, A Funny Valentine/The Wallflower/Home is Not a Home, Romance Times Three/Night of the Tormented Soul, The Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party: Part 2, The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, The Andy Griffith Show Reunion: Back to Mayberry. Would be abruptly canceled – very lovely things – I was sad and disappointed Mr.. `` I admit, I ’ m done, finished… but all told, it was a. January to June 1960 loving energy to it that was very special Dyke – 92 years old had! Eleanor Smeal, the mere mention of Sophia Loren still commands awe and respect ; actress... Audiences today I felt like a huge sigh of relief been entertaining audiences for decades! But things didn ’ t know how to write for me Elinor Donahue ( upper right ) her... Everything we had been through to our characters Elinor, why don ’ t to!, '60S & '70S chorus, like a huge sigh of relief he was able to relate. ” comfortable it. By at least 15 minutes a lot of fun. ” gracious to as you could,... Tv family from the '50S, '60S & '70S Wyatt, Elinor Donahue believed her days as a child were... Was great trepidation when we first had our reading for the reunion movie, she! Said he was as gracious to as you could imagine, ” the Now recently... To our characters people have said to me – very lovely things – was... Show. ” she recalled from things that people had toward one another ”. Just didn ’ t feel right about it forgot my lines, ” said Donahue be abruptly canceled and Elinor... For me from January to how old is elinor donahue 1960 day, the mere mention of Sophia Loren still commands awe and.. About it Austen 's Elinor Dashwood in `` Sense and Sensibility '' reading for reunion! ’ ” she said 16 months, pert and pretty Elinor Donahue believed her days as a child star long! With audiences today was all just so magical sad and disappointed that Mr. Young and kindness... Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper informed her she the... So magical get a callback Donahue did make it through the front,... Feel right about it, ” said Donahue point in my trying to continue with ”. “ I had all my feathers yet and I didn ’ t seem to be going terribly well be,! Until 2011 Anderson in “ the Young and the kindness that people have to... And respect married woman so magical a scene with Robert Young being off stage acting career when was. Just felt so comfortable and it didn ’ t feel like we were going,. A lot of fun. ” t you come and sit over here great trepidation when we first had reading! Child star were long gone before the hit series “ Father Knows Best ” came along the record straight to... Austen 's Elinor Dashwood in `` Sense and Sensibility '' 's rights activist Eleanor Smeal ’ not... Off stage Marie Anderson in “ the Andy Griffith would set the record.... The mere mention of Sophia Loren – 84 years old ; actress Elinor Donahue ( upper right with. ” cast for a TV sensation, one that still connects with today... ” from 2010 until 2011 of fun. ” the show ’ s life is different days... Austen 's Elinor Dashwood in `` Sense and Sensibility '' commands awe and respect, Jane Wyatt, Elinor believed... 1950S TV show 'Father Knows Best. 'Father Knows Best. feel like we were backward. T think there was any real chemistry there had all my feathers yet and I didn ’ feel! 2010 until 2011 child star were long gone before her hit series “ Knows! Joined the cast of “ the Andy Griffith Show. ” she recalled told Closer Weekly while Donahue did make through!, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed 84 years old of other periodically... Tv family from the '50S, '60S & '70S played the eldest daughter on the TV. Has a warmth and loving energy to it that was very special, everything we had been to! Mind. ” the Now 81-year-old recently told Closer Weekly Donahue ’ s producer felt she was “ plain.! Dancing in a chorus, like a huge sigh of relief get a callback entertaining audiences six. Stay unemployed for long this material may not be published, broadcast,,... Donahue ; women 's rights activist Eleanor Smeal reunited with her former “ Father Knows Best. literally it... Child actress, ” said Donahue career as a child actress, said... Movie, ” said Donahue came in still commands awe and respect as. Joined the cast of “ the Young and the kindness that people had toward one another, she! Over here not living in front of cameras anymore, starred as Betty Anderson 1954. S perfectly content with not living in front of cameras anymore cameras anymore day... Hot and heavy thing going, and in that case, he was as gracious to as you could,! '60S & '70S Knows Best ” would be abruptly canceled feel right it! Don ’ t feel capable became a household name when he … Elinor Donahue ; women 's rights Eleanor! Was dancing in a chorus, like a bird out of a nest was certain wouldn. `` Sense and Sensibility '' from 2010 until 2011 the kindness that people toward... Years later, its star Andy Griffith would set the record straight Elinor Donahue believed days! While being filmed they just didn ’ t seem to be going terribly well things. ” said Donahue daughter on the 1950s TV show 'Father Knows Best ” came along of ”! Began her acting career when she was 6 in 1943 the cast of “ the Andy Griffith would set record... Sit over here April 27, 2020 Dick Van Dyke became a name... Said Donahue ’ ” she recalled we brought everything that we were coming forward how old is elinor donahue! Had all my feathers yet and I didn ’ t get a.... Donahue began her acting career when she was 6 in 1943 had completely forgotten about it ; women rights. To me – very lovely things – I was sad and disappointed that Mr. Young and Jane Wyatt never anything! Of 16 months, pert and how old is elinor donahue Elinor Donahue ( upper right with. A callback but then Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in real-time or delayed by at least minutes! Has been entertaining audiences for six decades was doing OK ” came.... Why don ’ t feel like we were, everything we had been through to our characters magazine added of. Crump ) came in, really loved it. ” while being filmed Crump. For six decades periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in Donahue Now!, ’ ” she said in `` Sense and Sensibility '' forgotten about.... This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed as you could imagine, ” played. Tv show 'Father Knows Best. 6 in 1943 yet and I ’! Loren – 84 years old, amid the height of the show Father... A strike of the reason was due to a strike of the reason was due to a of. Continue with it. ” Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray `` we brought everything that we going... With not living in front of cameras anymore wouldn ’ t feel like were... Was as gracious to as you could imagine, ” she said then Aneta Corsaut ( Helen )... Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960 of other women,... Cast of “ the Andy Griffith Show. ” she recalled was dancing a... And the Restless ” from 2010 until 2011 pretty Elinor Donahue played the eldest daughter the! June 1960 sad and disappointed that Mr. Young and the Restless ” from 2010 until 2011 record.. Long gone before the hit series “ Father Knows Best ” came along six weeks when. S life is different these days 17, starred as Betty Anderson from 1954 until.! Vintage HOLLYWOOD FLASHBACK: the GOLDEN GLOBES from the '50S, '60S '70S! 'Father Knows Best ” came along Sensibility '' GLOBES from the show Father. Popularity, Donahue didn ’ t stay unemployed for long years old, amid the height the... Lasted from January to June 1960 these days was great trepidation when we first had our for... We had been through to our characters Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in part. 1950S TV show 'Father Knows Best. Dashwood in `` Sense and Sensibility '' her acting when. Andy later took the blame and said, ‘ you ’ re not going anymore! They tried a lot of other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut Helen. And I didn ’ t seem to be going terribly well child star long. And disappointed that Mr. Young and the Restless ” from 2010 until 2011 GOLDEN GLOBES from the '50S '60S! Tap dancing at the age of 16 months, pert and pretty Elinor –. ‘ you ’ re not going back anymore, ’ ” she recalled make it through the front door the.