Elinor Donahue is famous for her role on the popular TV show “Father Knows Best,” but her career didn’t stop there. She continued to work on screen and in other areas after the show ended.
Now at 86 years old, Elinor Donahue recently appeared as a guest on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”
On “Father Knows Best,” Elinor Donahue played Betty ‘Princess’ Anderson, a key character in the show about a happy middle-class family in the Midwest.
The show began as a radio program in 1949 and aired every Thursday until 1954. After that, CBS brought it to TV, keeping only Robert Young, who played the father, Jim Anderson.
During her six years on the popular show, which was among the top ten TV shows in America, Elinor also appeared on “Crossroads” and “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.” Her busy schedule was so demanding that she admitted she didn’t have time to watch her own show.
Elinor Donahue, who was born in Tacoma in 1937, worked hard on “Father Knows Best.” By the time she got home at night, she would have dinner and then prepare for the next day’s lines. This busy schedule meant she never had time to watch the show.
As a teenager, Elinor’s acting career took off, and she became the main provider for her family. She appeared in movies like *Love is Better than Ever* with Elizabeth Taylor and *Girls Town*.
Since Elinor was still a child, she needed an adult with her on set. With her father not around and her mother working full-time, her mom Doris had to quit her job to be with her.
After “Father Knows Best,” Elinor appeared on other popular shows such as “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Dr. Kildare,” “Star Trek,” and “Mork & Mindy.”
Elinor Donahue, now 86, has appeared in over 70 TV shows and movies like *Winter Wonderland* and *Pretty Woman*.
At 19, she married her first husband, hoping it would make her feel like a grown-up. She admitted to Emmy TV Legends that she felt like a teenager at that age, saying, “I was like a 13-year-old 19.” She felt she hadn’t grown up properly and thought that marriage and having a baby would help her mature.
The person she married was Richard Smith, a sound man from “Father Knows Best.” Elinor decided to marry him because she thought it was her chance to become an adult.
Elinor Donahue shared a funny story about how she got engaged. She said that after a movie date, her first husband, Richard Smith, whispered in her ear, “I love you and I’d like to marry you.” She laughed and replied, “Okay.”
Elinor had her first son, Brian, with Richard. They were married for six years before divorcing in 1961.
In 1962, she married TV producer Harry Ackerman, who was 20 years older than her. They had three sons together and were happily married for almost 30 years until he passed away in 1991.
The following year, Elinor married her third husband, Lou Genevrino, a contractor. She has been retired from acting for the past decade.
Despite never planning to be on screen, Elinor Donahue has had a remarkable and successful career. She has appeared in more than 70 TV shows and movies like *Winter Wonderland* and *Pretty Woman*. Her role as Betty Anderson on *Father Knows Best* made her a household name, and she has continued to impress audiences with her work in shows like *The Andy Griffith Show*, *Star Trek*, and *Mork & Mindy*.
Share this with all the *Father Knows Best* fans you know to celebrate her impressive achievements and enduring impact on television!
«She Doesn’t Look Like Herself Anymore,» Lady Gaga’s Latest Photo Causes a Stir
Lady Gaga celebrated her 38th birthday with a casual photo posted on her Instagram. The star appeared utterly radiant with bleached eyebrows and long blonde hair. While fans gushed about her beauty, many also noted that she looked unrecognizable.
The Born This Way singer posted a natural snapshot while sitting in her car, where she was seen making the peace sign and softly smiling at the camera. She displayed her long blonde locks, which gracefully framed her face. Her eyebrows, seemingly bleached to match the hue of her hair, added to the ethereal beauty of her appearance.
Collin Xavier/Image Press Agency ABACA/Abaca/East News
The star shared a positive and bright caption next to her photo, saying, ’’Today has been so special—I can’t remember a time I was so happy on my bday.’’ She added, ’’I feel like my heart is bursting with gratitude for my own health and MUSIC.’’
She also hinted that she’s working on new music, noting, ’’I am writing some of my best music in as long as I can remember.’’
Jordan Strauss/Invision/East News
Lady Gaga’s post has already amassed over a million likes within the first few days of being uploaded. Fans flooded the comments section, showering her with birthday wishes and admiration for her natural appearance. One enthusiastic fan even exclaimed, «Can we say how this hair is your best hair in years?»
However, others were more doubtful about her appearance, as one person noted, «She doesn’t look like herself anymore,» and another added, «Her natural lips were beautiful.» Another online user felt that this look made her appear older than her age, saying, «She must be 50.»
Another star who looked different recently is Meg Ryan. After her latest red-carpet appearance, fans praised the stunning actress for looking natural and finally looking her age at 62.
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