Elinor Donahue
Actress
About This Interview
Elinor Donahue was interviewed for three hours plus in Burbank, CA. Donahue talked about growing up as a performer in radio and vaudeville, having started out at about the age of two, and the trials and tribulations of her career before landing a regular role on Father Knows Best. She outlined her early film career in such films as Mister Big and The Unfinished Dance. She described appearing in early experimental television for Klaus Landsberg (under hot lights and wearing unusual make-up) and spoke fondly of Ray Bolger who she danced with on The Ray Bolger Show. She spoke in great detail about her regular role as teenager “Betty ‘Princess’ Anderson” on the classic ‘50s television sitcom Father Knows Best. She described auditioning for the role, the long production hours, and the series’ abrupt cancellation. She recalled working with series producer Eugene Rodney who she described as a “benevolent despot” who demanded strict adherence to the script. She talked about working with fictional father Robert Young (and his pleasant nature in real life), “mother” Jane Wyatt and “siblings” Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. She talked about 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 spoke about her role as Andy Taylor’s love interest “Ellie May Walker” on The Andy Griffith Show, and described the atmosphere on the Griffith set. She talked about two other recurring parts, “Miriam Welby” on The Odd Couple (originally planned as a one-shot role) and “Rebecca” on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She discussed 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 the lead. Throughout the interview, Donahue talked about her many guest appearances on series over the years including The Loretta Young Show, Star Trek, and Ellen. The interview was conducted by Jennifer Howard on April 25, 2006.
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I always thought Andy should have stuck with Miss Ellie. She was a lot better match for him than Helen Crump.
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.
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.
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.
Class acts live on.
This lovely lady reminds me of my lovely aunt.
she will always be a 20 year old college sweetheart-and Man! what a surprise! Can she dance? you betcha!
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.
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.
Thank-you so much Elinor for sharing yourself with us.
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.
What an incredibly beautiful woman. Becoming more beautiful with age.
Eugene Rodney (the producer) is my grand father! It's really cool seeing my papa's name on YouTube.
loved her on "Father Knows Best". Always saw her as a down to earth sister.
Great to see her.
amazing how she kept her looks.....she was beautiful in the 50's and still is ......
@MrDAVIDEO84 Kitten was my favorite:)!
The sweetest and one of the most beautiful actresses, ever.
" 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 !
when i was 8 years old i was in love with her.still beautiful
Very talented lady.
@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.
And to think Felix Unger left her to go back to Gloria!
Still beautiful and classy...Love her!
I adored her when I was a kid... She is still beautiful, as always.
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