Elinor Donahue
Biography
Elinor Donahue, born Mary Eleanor Donahue on April 19, 1937, in Tacoma, Washington, is an American actress. She is best remembered for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Her co-stars on the television family series included 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 from 1953 to 1954. Additionally, while in the first season of Father Knows Best, she appeared on The Ray Bolger Show, which starred Ray Bolger.
Career overview
Elinor Donahue, born Mary Eleanor Donahue on April 19, 1937, in Tacoma, Washington, is an American actress known for her work in television. She achieved stardom for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Alongside Young and Wyatt, her co-stars on the family series included Billy Gray as her younger brother, James Bud Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin as her younger sister, Kathy.
In addition to her role on Father Knows Best, Donahue served as a musical judge in the ABC television program Jukebox Jury from 1953 to 1954. During the first season of Father Knows Best, she also made an appearance on The Ray Bolger Show, which starred Ray Bolger.
Credited professionally as Elinor Donahue, the actress has accumulated eighty-four known acting credits throughout her career.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
86 titles- Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault (2016) as Self
- The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) as Lady Palimore
- Cold Case (2003) as Esther 'Legs' Davis (2005)
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within (2001) as Rebecca Quinn Dickinson
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Dear God (1996) as Elinor Donahue
- Friends (1994) as Aunt Lillian
- Ellen (1994) as Delores Warwell
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) as Rebecca Quinn
- Eek! The Cat (1992) as Mom (voice)
- Herman's Head (1991) as Mrs. Fitzer
- Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991) as Orphanage Woman
- Pretty Woman (1990) as Bridget
- Get a Life (1990) as Gradys Peterson
- Coach (1989) as Lorraine
- The New Adventures of Beans Baxter (1987) as Susan Baxter
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Katherine
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Connie Lewis
- No Earthly Reason (1984) as Mrs. Morrison
- Going Berserk (1983) as Margaret Anderson
- High School U.S.A. (1983) as Mrs. Franklin
- Just an Overnight Guest (1983)
- Hotel (1982) as Louise
- Condominium (1980) as Audrey Ames
- $weepstake$ (1979)
- Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
- Doctors' Private Lives (1978) as Mona Wise
- Police Story: No Margin for Error (1978)
- The Love Boat (1977) as Rowena
- The Love Boat (1977) as Betty Anderson
- The Love Boat (1977) as Mrs. Van Buren
- CHiPs (1977) as Elnor Donahue (uncredited)
- Dick Clark's Good Old Days (1977)
- Mulligan's Stew (1977) as Jane Mulligan
- Mulligan's Stew (1977) as Jane Mulligan
- The Father Knows Best Reunion (1977) as Betty Anderson
- Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas (1977) as Betty Anderson
- Battle of the Network Stars (1976)
- One Day at a Time (1975)
- S.W.A.T. (1975)
- Happy Days (1974)
- Police Woman (1974) as Ellie Tarlow
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Judy Corbett
- Police Story (1973)
- The Rookies (1972)
- Gidget Gets Married (1972) as Medley Blaine
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Miriam Welby
- In Name Only (1969) as Esther Garrity
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1969)
- The Flying Nun (1967) as Dr. Jennifer Ethrington
- Star Trek (1966) as Commissioner Nancy Hedford
- Occasional Wife (1966)
- Many Happy Returns (1964)
- Redigo (1963)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Virginian (1962) as Carole Cole
- The Eleventh Hour (1962)
- Dr. Kildare (1961) as Sharon Calloway
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Ellie Walker
- The Brothers Brannagan (1960) as Diane
- Dennis the Menace (1959)
- Imitation of Life (1959) as Lora's Friend
- Girls Town (1959) as Mary Lee Morgan
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Laura Holt
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) as Letty Mae Stinchcomb
- Father Knows Best (1954) as Betty Anderson
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Debbie Waring
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Janey
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Carol Madsen
- Love Is Better Than Ever (1952) as Pattie Marie Levoy
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Her First Romance (1951) as Lucille Stewart
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) as Emily Vanderlip Foster
- My Blue Heaven (1950) as Mary (uncredited)
- Singing Guns (1950) as Little Girl (uncredited)
- The Happy Years (1950) as Connie Brown
- Tea for Two (1950)
- An Old-Fashioned Girl (1949) as Maud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
- Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) as Cynthia (uncredited)
- Three Daring Daughters (1948) as Alix Morgan
- The Unfinished Dance (1947) as Josie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
- Winter Wonderland (1946) as Betty Wheeler
- And Now Tomorrow (1944) as Janice
- Honeymoon Lodge (1943) as Janie Thomas
- Mister Big (1943) as Muggsy
- Girls' Town (1942) as Bit Role (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Elinor Donahue best known for?
Elinor Donahue is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004), Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Emily Owens, M.D. (2012), Friends (1994).
When and where was Elinor Donahue born?
Elinor Donahue was born on April 19, 1937 in Tacoma, Washington, USA.
How many credits does Elinor Donahue have?
Elinor Donahue has accumulated over 86 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1942 to 2016.
What is Elinor Donahue's background in cinema and television?
Elinor Donahue, born Mary Eleanor Donahue on April 19, 1937, in Tacoma, Washington, is an American actress. She is best remembered for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Her co-stars on the television family series include...