Portrait of Elinor Donahue

Elinor Donahue

Bio: Mary Eleanor Donahue (born April 19, 1937), credited as Elinor Donahue, is an American actress, best remembered today for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Donahue achieved stardom for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the television family series Father Knows Best
Born: Mon, Apr 19 1937
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, USA
Elinor Donahue is 87 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
Elinor Donahue was 79 in Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Mon, Dec 05 2016
Poster of The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Elinor Donahue was 67 in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement as 'Lady Palimore'.
Movie Released: Fri, Aug 06 2004
Poster of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within
Elinor Donahue was 64 in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within as 'Rebecca Quinn Dickinson'.
Movie Released: Sat, May 12 2001
Poster of Dear God
Dear God
Elinor Donahue was 59 in Dear God as 'Elinor Donahue'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 01 1996
Poster of Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Elinor Donahue was 54 in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare as 'Orphanage Woman'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 05 1991
Poster of Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman
Elinor Donahue was 52 in Pretty Woman as 'Bridget'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 23 1990
Poster of No Earthly Reason
No Earthly Reason
Elinor Donahue was 46 in No Earthly Reason as 'Mrs. Morrison'.
Movie Released: Tue, Apr 03 1984
Poster of High School U.S.A.
High School U.S.A.
Elinor Donahue was 46 in High School U.S.A. as 'Mrs. Franklin'.
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 16 1983
Poster of Going Berserk
Going Berserk
Elinor Donahue was 46 in Going Berserk as 'Margaret Anderson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 30 1983
Poster of Just an Overnight Guest
Just an Overnight Guest
Elinor Donahue was 46 in Just an Overnight Guest
Movie Released: Mon, Aug 01 1983
Poster of Police Story: No Margin for Error
Police Story: No Margin for Error
Elinor Donahue was 41 in Police Story: No Margin for Error
Movie Released: Sun, Apr 30 1978
Poster of Doctors' Private Lives
Doctors' Private Lives
Elinor Donahue was 40 in Doctors' Private Lives as 'Mona Wise'.
Movie Released: Mon, Mar 20 1978
Poster of Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas
Elinor Donahue was 40 in Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas as 'Betty Anderson'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 18 1977
Poster of Dick Clark's Good Old Days
Dick Clark's Good Old Days
Elinor Donahue was 40 in Dick Clark's Good Old Days
Movie Released: Tue, Oct 11 1977
Poster of Mulligan's Stew
Mulligan's Stew
Elinor Donahue was 40 in Mulligan's Stew as 'Jane Mulligan'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jun 20 1977
Poster of The Father Knows Best Reunion
The Father Knows Best Reunion
Elinor Donahue was 40 in The Father Knows Best Reunion as 'Betty Anderson'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 15 1977
Poster of Gidget Gets Married
Gidget Gets Married
Elinor Donahue was 34 in Gidget Gets Married as 'Medley Blaine'.
Movie Released: Tue, Jan 04 1972
Poster of In Name Only
In Name Only
Elinor Donahue was 32 in In Name Only as 'Esther Garrity'.
Movie Released: Tue, Nov 25 1969
Poster of Girls Town
Girls Town
Elinor Donahue was 22 in Girls Town as 'Mary Lee Morgan'.
Movie Released: Mon, Oct 05 1959
Poster of Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life
Elinor Donahue was 22 in Imitation of Life as 'Lora's Friend'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 26 1959
Poster of Love Is Better Than Ever
Love Is Better Than Ever
Elinor Donahue was 14 in Love Is Better Than Ever as 'Pattie Marie Levoy'.
Movie Released: Sat, Feb 23 1952
Poster of Her First Romance
Her First Romance
Elinor Donahue was 14 in Her First Romance as 'Lucille Stewart'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 04 1951
Poster of My Blue Heaven
My Blue Heaven
Elinor Donahue was 13 in My Blue Heaven as 'Mary (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 15 1950
Poster of Tea for Two
Tea for Two
Elinor Donahue was 13 in Tea for Two
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 01 1950
Poster of The Happy Years
The Happy Years
Elinor Donahue was 13 in The Happy Years as 'Connie Brown'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 07 1950
Poster of Singing Guns
Singing Guns
Elinor Donahue was 12 in Singing Guns as 'Little Girl (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Tue, Feb 28 1950
Poster of An Old-Fashioned Girl
An Old-Fashioned Girl
Elinor Donahue was 11 in An Old-Fashioned Girl as 'Maud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)'.
Movie Released: Wed, Jan 19 1949
Poster of Tenth Avenue Angel
Tenth Avenue Angel
Elinor Donahue was 10 in Tenth Avenue Angel as 'Cynthia (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 20 1948
Poster of Three Daring Daughters
Three Daring Daughters
Elinor Donahue was 10 in Three Daring Daughters as 'Alix Morgan'.
Movie Released: Thu, Feb 12 1948
Poster of The Unfinished Dance
The Unfinished Dance
Elinor Donahue was 10 in The Unfinished Dance as 'Josie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 19 1947
Poster of Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
Elinor Donahue was 9 in Winter Wonderland as 'Betty Wheeler'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 12 1946
Poster of And Now Tomorrow
And Now Tomorrow
Elinor Donahue was 7 in And Now Tomorrow as 'Janice'.
Movie Released: Wed, Nov 22 1944
Poster of Honeymoon Lodge
Honeymoon Lodge
Elinor Donahue was 6 in Honeymoon Lodge as 'Janie Thomas'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jul 23 1943
Poster of Mister Big
Mister Big
Elinor Donahue was 6 in Mister Big as 'Muggsy'.
Movie Released: Fri, May 28 1943
Poster of Girls' Town
Girls' Town
Elinor Donahue was 4 in Girls' Town as 'Bit Role (uncredited)'.
Movie Released: Fri, Mar 06 1942

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Cold Case
Cold Case
Elinor Donahue was 66+ in Cold Case as 'Esther 'Legs' Davis (2005)'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 28 2003
Poster of E! True Hollywood Story
E! True Hollywood Story
Elinor Donahue was 59+ in E! True Hollywood Story
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Aug 21 1996
Poster of Friends
Friends
Elinor Donahue was 57+ in Friends as 'Aunt Lillian'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 22 1994
Poster of Ellen
Ellen
Elinor Donahue was 56+ in Ellen as 'Delores Warwell'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Mar 29 1994
Poster of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Elinor Donahue was 55+ in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Jan 01 1993
Poster of Eek! The Cat
Eek! The Cat
Elinor Donahue was 55+ in Eek! The Cat as 'Mom (voice)'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 11 1992
Poster of Herman's Head
Herman's Head
Elinor Donahue was 54+ in Herman's Head as 'Mrs. Fitzer'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 08 1991
Poster of Get a Life
Get a Life
Elinor Donahue was 53+ in Get a Life as 'Gradys Peterson'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 23 1990
Poster of Coach
Coach
Elinor Donahue was 51+ in Coach as 'Lorraine'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Feb 28 1989
Poster of The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter
Elinor Donahue was 50+ in The New Adventures of Beans Baxter as 'Susan Baxter'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Jul 18 1987
Poster of The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
Elinor Donahue was 48+ in The Golden Girls as 'Katherine'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 14 1985
Poster of Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
Elinor Donahue was 47+ in Murder, She Wrote as 'Connie Lewis'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 30 1984
Poster of Hotel
Hotel
Elinor Donahue was 45+ in Hotel
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Aug 21 1982
Poster of Condominium
Condominium
Elinor Donahue was 42+ in Condominium as 'Audrey Ames'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Apr 06 1980
Poster of Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
Elinor Donahue was 41+ in Diff'rent Strokes
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Nov 03 1978
Poster of Mulligan's Stew
Mulligan's Stew
Elinor Donahue was 40+ in Mulligan's Stew as 'Jane Mulligan'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Oct 25 1977
Poster of The Love Boat
The Love Boat
Elinor Donahue was 40+ in The Love Boat as 'Rowena, Betty Anderson, Mrs. Van Buren'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 24 1977
Poster of CHiPs
CHiPs
Elinor Donahue was 40+ in CHiPs as 'Elnor Donahue (uncredited)'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 15 1977
Poster of Battle of the Network Stars
Battle of the Network Stars
Elinor Donahue was 39+ in Battle of the Network Stars
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Nov 13 1976
Poster of One Day at a Time
One Day at a Time
Elinor Donahue was 38+ in One Day at a Time
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Dec 16 1975
Poster of S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T.
Elinor Donahue was 37+ in S.W.A.T.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Feb 24 1975
Poster of Police Woman
Police Woman
Elinor Donahue was 37+ in Police Woman as 'Ellie Tarlow'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 13 1974
Poster of Happy Days
Happy Days
Elinor Donahue was 36+ in Happy Days
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Jan 15 1974
Poster of Police Story
Police Story
Elinor Donahue was 35+ in Police Story
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Mar 20 1973
Poster of The Rookies
The Rookies
Elinor Donahue was 35+ in The Rookies
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 11 1972
Poster of The Odd Couple
The Odd Couple
Elinor Donahue was 33+ in The Odd Couple as 'Miriam Welby'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 24 1970
Poster of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Elinor Donahue was 32+ in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 26 1969
Poster of The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun
Elinor Donahue was 30+ in The Flying Nun as 'Dr. Jennifer Ethrington'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 07 1967
Poster of Occasional Wife
Occasional Wife
Elinor Donahue was 29+ in Occasional Wife
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 13 1966
Poster of Star Trek
Star Trek
Elinor Donahue was 29+ in Star Trek as 'Commissioner Nancy Hedford'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 08 1966
Poster of Many Happy Returns
Many Happy Returns
Elinor Donahue was 27+ in Many Happy Returns
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 21 1964
Poster of Redigo
Redigo
Elinor Donahue was 26+ in Redigo
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Tue, Sep 24 1963
Poster of The Eleventh Hour
The Eleventh Hour
Elinor Donahue was 25+ in The Eleventh Hour
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Oct 03 1962
Poster of The Virginian
The Virginian
Elinor Donahue was 25+ in The Virginian as 'Carole Cole'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 19 1962
Poster of Dr. Kildare
Dr. Kildare
Elinor Donahue was 24+ in Dr. Kildare as 'Sharon Calloway'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Wed, Sep 27 1961
Poster of The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Elinor Donahue was 23+ in The Andy Griffith Show as 'Ellie Walker'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Oct 03 1960
Poster of The Brothers Brannagan
The Brothers Brannagan
Elinor Donahue was 23+ in The Brothers Brannagan as 'Diane'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 24 1960
Poster of Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace
Elinor Donahue was 22+ in Dennis the Menace
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 04 1959
Poster of 77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
Elinor Donahue was 21+ in 77 Sunset Strip as 'Laura Holt'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Oct 10 1958
Poster of Have Gun, Will Travel
Have Gun, Will Travel
Elinor Donahue was 20+ in Have Gun, Will Travel as 'Letty Mae Stinchcomb'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 14 1957
Poster of Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best
Elinor Donahue was 17+ in Father Knows Best as 'Betty Anderson'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Oct 03 1954
Poster of Letter to Loretta
Letter to Loretta
Elinor Donahue was 16+ in Letter to Loretta as 'Debbie Waring, Janey'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 20 1953
Poster of General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater
Elinor Donahue was 15+ in General Electric Theater as 'Carol Madsen'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Feb 01 1953
Poster of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Elinor Donahue was 14+ in Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Oct 05 1951
Poster of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Elinor Donahue was 13+ in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show as 'Emily Vanderlip Foster'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Oct 12 1950