Elinor Donahue is a famous American actress who has appeared in a number of movies and Tv series in the past. The actress is best known for playing the role of Betty Anderson.
Elinor Donahue’s Date of Birth and Age
Elinor Donahue was born on April 19, 1937,
Moreover, the actress holds an American nationality and belongs to the white ethnicity. Donahue has been following Christianity. Her birth sign is Aries. Elinor was born and raised in Washington city of America.
Elinor Donahue’s Parents and Education
Elinor Donahue is the daughter of Doris Genevieve and Thomas William Donahue. She started performing on the radio when she was 2 years old.
After three years, when she was 5, the actress was signed as a dancer and singer by Universal Studios. She studied at Long’s Private School and learned ballet from there.
Elinor Donahue’s Husband and Children
Elinor Donahue was married twice in her life. She was first married in 1955 to her first husband Richard Smith. Later in 1961, the couple got separated.
Meanwhile, Donahue married television producer Harry Ackerman in 1962 and she shares four sons with him: Brian, Peter, James, and Chris.
Through this marriage, Elinor also became a stepmother to Stephen Ackerman and Susan Peterson. Her second husband Ackerman died in 1991. She then marry her third husband, Lou Genevrino, in 1992.
Elinor Donahue’s Career
Additionally, She is well-known for her roles as the eldest child of Jim and Margaret Anderson on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best.
The actress is also known for playing the roles of Joan Randall in the drama ‘Many Happy Returns, Jane Mulligan in the series ‘Mulligan’s Stew’ and Gladys Peterson in the sitcom ‘Get a Life’.
Donahue has also made her appearances with recurring roles in many other TV programs like ‘The Andy Griffith Show, ‘The Odd Couple, and ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
She has also acted in numerous television films, such as ‘Gidget Gets Married’, ‘If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?’, ‘The Father Knows Best Reunion’, ‘Doctors’ Private Lives’, ‘High School U.S.A.’ and ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story.
The actress made guest appearances in the TV shows ‘Police Woman’, ‘The Rookies’, ‘Petrocelli’ and ‘S.W.A.T.’ Elinor then reprised her role as Betty Anderson in the TV flick ‘The Father Knew Best Reunion’ in 1977.
The same year, the American artiste also performed in the dramas ‘The Feather and Father Gang’, ‘Insight’, and ‘Police Story.
In addition, Elinor Donahue played the role of Mona Wise in the television movie ‘Doctors’ Private Lives’ in 1978. Next year, the actress appeared in an episode of ‘Different Strokes. Soon after, she was cast in the TV miniseries ‘Condominium’.
Then Donahue guest starred in a handful of television programs such as ‘Mork & Mindy’, ‘One Day at a Time, and ‘Fantasy Island.
Similarly, the American actress got featured in the TV movie ‘High School U.S.A.’ as well as in the film ‘Going Berserk’ in 1983. In the year 1984, Elinor had a guest role in ‘Days of Our Lives.
The actress also appeared in the TV films Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story and ‘Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within’ in 1999 and 2001 respectively.
Later, she played in the movies like ‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 2004. The following year, she got featured in an episode of ‘Cold Case’.
Elinor Donahue’s Achievements
Elinor Donahue was nominated for an Emmy Award under the category ‘Best Supporting Actress (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series for ‘Father Knows Best’ in 1959.
Eventually, the actress won the ‘TV Land Legend Award’ for her performance in ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ along with the rest of the cast including Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors, and Don Knotts 2004.