About
"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!'"
In her three-and-a-half-hour interview, Elinor Donahue talks about growing up as a performer in radio and vaudeville, and outlines her early film career in the films Mister Big and The Unfinished Dance. She describes appearing in early experimental television for Klaus Landsberg (under hot lights and wearing unusual makeup) 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 1950s 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 describes as a "benevolent despot," demanding 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 in Burbank, CA.
Highlights
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on Robert Young being a real-life father figure for his Father Knows Best TV children
Elinor Donahue on why Father Knows Best went off the air
Elinor Donahue on the reason for her short-lived role as "Ellie May Walker" on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Bridget" in Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her childhood and early influences; on her very early start in show business; on working in Vaudeville; on her first feature films; on being put under contract at Universal; on family friend Dick Lane's friendship with Klaus Landsberg and her start in experimental television
On getting an MGM contract; on auditioning for the film "Unfinished Dance" with Margaret O'Brien
Chapter 2
On doing local Los Angeles television; on changing her name from Mary Elinor to Elinor; on a judge not approving her 7 year contract extension at MGM
On performing on Matinee Theater and The Ray Bolger Show; on local LA shows; on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best; on Robert Young being a real-life father figure for his Father Knows Best TV children
Chapter 3
On Father Knows Best producer Eugene B. Rodney; on the writers, her wardrobe, and her character, "Betty Anderson"; on "Betty's" relationship to her parents, her nickname, and interests; on working with her on-screen "siblings"
On a typical production week on Father Knows Best; on her favorite episodes; on the producers' reactions to her real-life pregnancy and wearing a wig when she cut off her ponytail; on why the show went off the air; on a reunion
Chapter 4
On Father Knows Best reunion shows; on the popularity of the show long after it ended; on her roles after Father Knows Best went off the air; on her husband, Harry Ackerman
On on appearing in Lux Video Theatre's "The Life of Emile Zola"; on appearing on The Loretta Young Show and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show; on the reason for her short-lived role as "Ellie May Walker" on The Andy Griffith Show; on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show; on attending Andy Griffith Show reunions and conventions
Chapter 5
On appearances on Dennis the Menace, General Electric Theater's "A Voice on the Phone", and Many Happy Returns; on guest-starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis"
On appearing on The Flying Nun; on her regular role as "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple; on guest appearances on Mulligan's Stew, Please Stand By, Diff'rent Strokes, Fantasy Island, Mork & Mindy, and Hotel
Chapter 6
On appearing on The Love Boat; on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives; on an unpleasant experience while appearing on Santa Barbara; on appearances on The New Adventures of Beans Baxter, Newhart, and The Golden Girls
On her role as "Bridget" in Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman"; on her role on Get a Life (and how she didn't know her son was a 30-year-old paperboy); on Harry Ackerman's death
Chapter 7
On her appearances on Coach, Ellen, Friends, and Cold Case; on her recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
On her acting style; on the longevity of her career; on the highlight of her career; on how she'd like to be remembered
B-roll pictures from her movie and film career
Shows
Andy Griffith Show, The
Elinor Donahue on the reason for her short-lived role as "Ellie May Walker" on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on working on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts
Bewitched
Elinor Donahue on husband, Harry Ackerman
Coach
Elinor Donahue on her appearances on Coach
Cold Case
Elinor Donahue on her role on Cold Case
Days of Our Lives
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her as "Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Dennis the Menace
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Dennis the Menace
Diff'rent Strokes
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Diff'rent Strokes
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Elinor Donahue on her recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Ellen
Elinor Donahue on her appearance on Ellen
Fantasy Island
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Fantasy Island
Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best; on her familiarity with the radio show and working with Robert Young
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best producer Eugene B. Rodney, her wardrobe, her character, "Betty Anderson," and "Betty's" relationship to her parents and siblings
Elinor Donahue on a typical production week on Father Knows Best and the popularity of the show; on her favorite episodes, real-life pregnancy, and why the show went off the air and a reunion show
Elinor Donahue on why the popularity of Father Knows Best continues on
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best reunion shows
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best Reunion Specials
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best reunion shows
Flying Nun, The
Elinor Donahue on husband, Harry Ackerman
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Flying Nun
Friends
Elinor Donahue on her appearance on Friends
General Electric Theater, The
Elinor Donahue on appearing on General Electric Theater's "A Voice on the Phone"
George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Get a Life
Elinor Donahue on her role on Get a Life (and how she didn't know her son was a 30-year-old paperboy)
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Get a Life's Bob Elliot
Golden Girls, The
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Golden Girls
Hotel
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Hotel
Leave it to Beaver
Elinor Donahue on husband, Harry Ackerman
Loretta Young Show, The
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Loretta Young Show
Love Boat, The
Elinor Donahue on her guest appearances on The Love Boat
Lux Video Theatre
Elinor Donahue on appearing in Lux Video Theatre's "The Life of Emile Zola"
Many Happy Returns
Elinor Donahue on appearing on sitcom Many Happy Returns
Mork & Mindy
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Mork & Mindy
Mulligan Stew
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Mulligan Stew
My Favorite Husband
Elinor Donahue on having a role on My Favorite Husband
NBC Matinee Theater
Elinor Donahue on performing on Matinee Theater
New Adventures of Beans Baxter, The
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with cast member of The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
Newhart
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Newhart
Odd Couple, The (1970-75)
Elinor Donahue on her regular role as "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall of The Odd Couple
Please Stand By
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Please Stand By
Ray Bolger Show, The
Elinor Donahue on performing on The Ray Bolger Show
Santa Barbara
Elinor Donahue on an unpleasant experience while appearing on Santa Barbara
Star Trek
Elinor Donahue on guest starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" (airdate: November 10, 1967)
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best character, "Betty Anderson"
Elinor Donahue on the reason for her short-lived role as "Ellie May Walker" on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Emmy Awards
Elinor Donahue on being asked to be a judge for the Miss Emmy contest
Memorable Moments on Television
Elinor Donahue on singing with Andy Griffith on a Christmas episode of The Andy Griffith Show
Pop Culture
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best character, "Betty Anderson"
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Technological Innovation
Elinor Donahue on family friend Dick Lane's friendship with Klaus Landsberg and her start in experimental television
Professions
Actress
Elinor Donahue on her very early start in show business
Performers
Elinor Donahue on her very early start in show business
Genres
Comedy Series
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Betty 'Princess' Anderson" on Father Knows Best; on her familiarity with the radio show
Elinor Donahue on production, storylines, and the end of Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on working on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on her regular role as "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple
Elinor Donahue on her role on Get a Life (and how she didn't know her son was a 30-year-old paperboy)
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Evil Nurse Hunnicut" on Days of Our Lives
Drama Series
Elinor Donahue on her recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Elinor Donahue on guest starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" (airdate: November 10, 1967)
People
Harry Ackerman
Elinor Donahue on Harry Ackerman
Elinor Donahue on an unpleasant experience while appearing on Santa Barbara
Elinor Donahue on Harry Ackerman's death
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Harry Ackerman
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Harry Ackerman, Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher
Nick Adams
Elinor Donahue on appearing on General Electric Theater's "A Voice on the Phone"
Gracie Allen
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Beatrice Arthur
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Golden Girls
William Asher
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Harry Ackerman, Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher
Frances Bavier
Elinor Donahue on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Anne Baxter
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Hotel
Ray Bolger
Elinor Donahue on performing on The Ray Bolger Show
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Ray Bolger
George Burns
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
James Burrows
Elinor Donahue on her appearance on Friends
Lauren Chapin
Elinor Donahue on Robert Young being a real-life father figure for his Father Knows Best TV children
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best "mother" Jane Wyatt and the family dynamic on the show
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best "sister" Lauren Chapin
Elinor Donahue on why Father Knows Best went off the air and a reunion show
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Father Knows Best
Lee J. Cobb
Elinor Donahue on appearing in Lux Video Theatre's "The Life of Emile Zola"
Gary Coleman
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Diff'rent Strokes
Glenn Corbett
Elinor Donahue on guest starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" (airdate: November 10, 1967)
Ellen DeGeneres
Elinor Donahue on her appearance on Ellen
Barry Diller
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
Shirley Dinsdale
Elinor Donahue on watching Shirley Dinsdale's show as a child
Chris Elliott
Elinor Donahue on her role on Get a Life (and how she didn't know her son was a 30-year-old paperboy)
Bob Elliott
Elinor Donahue on her role on Get a Life (and how she didn't know her son was a 30-year-old paperboy)
Sally Field
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Flying Nun
Walter E. Grauman
Elinor Donahue on performing on Matinee Theater and having a crush on director Walter Grauman
Billy Gray
Elinor Donahue on Robert Young being a real-life father figure for his Father Knows Best TV children
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best "mother" Jane Wyatt and the family dynamic on the show
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best "brother" Billy Gray
Elinor Donahue on why Father Knows Best went off the air and a reunion show
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best reunion shows
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Father Knows Best
Andy Griffith
Elinor Donahue on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on favorite episodes of and singing with Andy Griffith on The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Andy Griffith
Deidre Hall
Elinor Donahue on working with Deidre Hall on Days of Our Lives
Ron Howard
Elinor Donahue on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Gloria Jean
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Muggsy" in the Donald O'Connor film "Mr. Big"
Spike Jones
Elinor Donahue on going to see the Spike Jones Radio Show
DeForest Kelley
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley on Star Trek
Jack Klugman
Elinor Donahue on her regular role as "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall of The Odd Couple
Don Knotts
Elinor Donahue on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts
Bernie Kopell
Elinor Donahue on her guest appearances on The Love Boat
Klaus Landsberg
Elinor Donahue on family friend Dick Lane's friendship with Klaus Landsberg and her start in experimental television
Joanna Lee
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Mulligan's Stew
Sheldon Leonard
Elinor Donahue on working on The Andy Griffith Show
Betty Lynn
Elinor Donahue on working with the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Gavin MacLeod
Elinor Donahue on her guest appearances on The Love Boat
Garry Marshall
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Bridget" in Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman"
Joseph Mascolo
Elinor Donahue on working with Joseph Mascolo on Days of Our Lives
Louis B. Mayer
Elinor Donahue on auditioning for the film "Unfinished Dance" with Margaret O'Brien
Rue McClanahan
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Golden Girls
John McGiver
Elinor Donahue on appearing with John McGiver on sitcom Many Happy Returns
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with John McGiver
Elizabeth Montgomery
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Harry Ackerman, Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher
Leonard Nimoy
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley on Star Trek
Jay North
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Jay North of Dennis the Menace
Margaret O'Brien
Elinor Donahue on auditioning for the film "Unfinished Dance" with Margaret O'Brien
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Margaret O'Brien
Donald O'Connor
Elinor Donahue on getting cast as "Muggsy" in the Donald O'Connor film "Mr. Big"
Elinor Donahue on a movie series with Donald O'Connor
Tom Poston
Elinor Donahue on appearing on Newhart
Lawrence Pressman
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Lawrence Pressman
Tony Randall
Elinor Donahue on her regular role as "Miriam Welby" on The Odd Couple
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall of The Odd Couple
Julia Roberts
Elinor Donahue on her role as "Bridget" in Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman"
Gene Roddenberry
Elinor Donahue on guest starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" (airdate: November 10, 1967)
Eugene B. Rodney
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best producer Eugene B. Rodney
Elinor Donahue on the producers' reactions to her real-life pregnancy and wearing a wig when she cut off her ponytail
Jane Seymour
Elinor Donahue on her recurring role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
William Shatner
Elinor Donahue on guest starring on the Star Trek episode "Metamorphosis" (airdate: November 10, 1967)
Jean Simmons
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Hotel
Aaron Spelling
Elinor Donahue on her guest appearances on The Love Boat
Marcy Walker
Elinor Donahue on an unpleasant experience while appearing on Santa Barbara
Betty White
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Golden Girls
Robin Williams
Elinor Donahue on a guest appearance on Mork & Mindy
Jane Wyatt
Elinor Donahue on her Father Knows Best "mother" Jane Wyatt and the family dynamic on the show
Elinor Donahue on why Father Knows Best went off the air and a reunion show
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best reunion shows
Elinor Donahue on the highlight of her career
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with Jane Wyatt from Father Knows Best
Robert Young
Elinor Donahue on auditioning with Robert Young for Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on Robert Young being a real-life father figure for his Father Knows Best TV children
Elinor Donahue on Robert Young's role as a producer on Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue on why Father Knows Best went off the air and a reunion show
Elinor Donahue on Father Knows Best reunion shows
Elinor Donahue on the highlight of her career
Elinor Donahue on a picture of her with the cast of Father Knows Best
Loretta Young
Elinor Donahue on appearing on The Loretta Young Show