I did 11 episodes, just there for the first season, Donahue said in a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television. The Andy Griffith Show made its debut in 1960, and Elinor was a part of it, playing pharmacist Ellie Walker, with the idea being that she would eventually become the girlfriend of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) following a rocky start between the two of them. "People of all ages hug me. Donahue called the role her "swan song."[7]. It was the strangest feeling. So Andy Griffith got rid of her so the show could stay on track. Donahue played a strong female role on The Andy Griffith Show. Donahue achieved stardom for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the television family series Father Knows Best, which aired from 1954 to 1960. That could have been part of it. The widow of TV executive producer Harry Ackerman (he was 25 years her senior), whose list of credits included Leave It to Beaver (1957), Bewitched (1964) and Gidget (1965), and a mother of four sons, Elinor married third husband, contractor Louis Genevrino, in 1992. This is why every third Friday of the month, she started signing autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum for three hours. In fact, in a YouTube video, we learn that the writers had a lot of trouble writing lines for Andy because he "had so much trouble in a romantic setting." Later, Andy took the blame and said he is not very good at showing affection while filming. He was just absolutely precious. the Cat. There was no point in my trying to continue with it, she continued. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. I didnt know that much about it except that I was going to be in the show with Andy Griffith, Donahue said. Griffith died on July 3, 2012, from a heart attack at the age of 86 at his coastal home in Manteo, Roanoke Island, in Dare County, North Carolina. The Early Days of The Andy Griffith's Show. Answer (1 of 2): In the Andy Griffith Show the character of Ellie, played by Elinore Donahue, helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry. 1960-Season 1), 1960-68. She was part of the main cast for the first season of CBS's The Andy Griffith Show, as Andy's pharmacist love interest Ellie Walker, she was even mentioned in the opening credits before Don Knotts; after one season (19601961), Donahue asked for a release from her three-year contract.[5]. The Andy Griffith Show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City, California. The two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was . She played the part of Lorraine, Luther Van Dam's girlfriend, in season five of Coach in the early 1990s. In 1990, she played Bridget, a Beverly Hills clothing-store manager, in the film Pretty Woman. Ms. Lynn said that she could have stayed with the series, which ended in 1968, had she accepted the producers offer to make her the owner of a hairdressing salon. The trouble started with his very first onscreen girlfriend, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue. According to celebritynetworth.com, Betty Lynns net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. RELATED: How Did The Andy Griffith Show End? Donahue appeared in a 1981 episode of One Day at a Time, as Alex's mother Felicia. It goes to show just how much of the kindness of Mayberry and its characters was just as important behind the scenes. In other interviews, she said she didnt share much on-screen chemistry with Andy Griffith. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. was joyce bulifant on the andy griffith show was joyce bulifant on the andy griffith show I was very, very touched by that. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. Elinor Donahue played Ellie Walker on The Andy Griffith Show. People are so good to me," she said. Donahue played Gladys, the mother of Chris Peterson (Chris Elliott), in all 35 episodes of the sitcom Get a Life (199092), and had a recurring role as Rebecca Quinn on the CBS drama series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. The Andy Griffith Show actress Elinor Donahue said she was "not a happy camper" while working on the show. I just didnt feel right about it. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95. The only person who called me from the show was your dad, the actor said. Donahue opened up about what exactly made her exit the show so suddenly and the kindness shown to her by former co-star Don Knotts. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons and highlighted the innocent joys of small-town living, but under the surface, the main cast harbored their share of scandalous secrets. Elinor Donahue is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue. I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. That could have been part of it. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. 1992) Children: 4: Elinor Donahue (born Mary Eleanor Donahue, April 19, 1937) is an American actress, best known today for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Jim and Margaret Anderson on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. It was the strangest feeling. The actress, Elinor Donahue, later admitted that she felt like she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry to portray a believable couple on screen, so she decided to leave the show. I didnt sing anymore, so I avoided it like the plague, she admits. Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. I was just not a happy camper. While The Andy Griffith Show was full of eclectic characters in the fictional town of Mayberry, it was always fun to follow along with the love stories. Andy Taylor (Andrew Jackson Taylor played by Andy Griffith) In Season One, Elinor "Ellie" Walker came to Mayberry in 4th episode, Ellie Comes to Town; she was a graduate of Barnard University, and a pharmacist. The Home of Nostalgia. Marshal. Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. They tried other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut came in. His very first love interest in the series was Ellie Walker, played by actress Elinor Donahue. Plus, the two helped bring Barney and Thelma Lou, together. Plus, when you rewatch a show, you spot details that you may have missed the first time. Possibly, she might be the only child of her parents. After her appearance in episode The Guitar Player Returns, she inexplicably leaves the series. In the eyes of the world, I was a young woman and was launched into the rest of my career, already not having to make a huge transition from child to an adult., RELATED: Father Knows Best Star, Billy Gray, Reminisces on Childhood Fame. She went up and apologized for having left the show. In The Andy Griffith Shows only Christmas episode, Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in the Manger. In 1979, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1. [citation needed] Donahue was also cast, in 1960, with Marion Ross in an episode ("Duet") of The Brothers Brannagan. 1 views . And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the relationship was a short-lived one with Elinor only appearing in a dozen episodes of the season, after which she asked to be released from her contract. If anything, Griffith felt bad that he couldnt do more. What makes literary nonfiction different from other nonfiction? He could tell I was nervous and said, Just sit down here on the floor and Ill just noodle around with the guitar and you come in when you feel comfortable and well start. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Ellie was portrayed by Elinor Donahue, fresh off of a six-year stint as the precocious teenage daughter Betty "Princess" Anderson on CBS's Father Knows Best. You might even remember her playing the friendly store manager Bridget in Pretty Woman, Lady Palimore inThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagementor eventhe "Orphanage woman" inFreddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. The actress was born on 19 April 1937. But there was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long. Very good. She is famous for her appearances in a 1950s film by the name of "Father Knows Best," where she played the eldest child of Jim and Margaret. According to her IMDb page, she played Mariam in The Odd Couple, Kate Honeycutt in Days of Our Lives, had a small role in Pretty Woman, and much more. It was the strangest feeling.. Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian. Offers may be subject to change without notice. "I'm so welcomed here. Chapin married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later. Learn how your comment data is processed. I had a three-year contract for that show, but at the end of the first year I asked to be let out of it, because I didnt feel that I was playing the role properly. Before The Andy Griffith Show, Donahue found major success on the show, Father Knows Best.After Father Knows Best ended, she really struggled to adjust to a new show. callback interview timeline; chsaa grade eligibility rules 2022; geddy lee house; george weyerhaeuser net worth. Author, Ed Gross, Your email address will not be published. In 1984, she made an appearance as Mrs. Broderick, the mother of a teenage drug addict on the last season of Happy Days. She hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. Between her dwindling self-confidence on the set and my emotional problems, she began to lose weight and was becoming anorexic. She developed pneumonia, which kept her off the show and required scripts to be written around her. I have always wondered why he was uncomfortable around women. Ellie Walker, who has the distinction of being Mayberry's first female pharmacist and Andy's first love interest, first appears in episode four, "Ellie Comes to Town.". They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. Before The Andy Griffith Show, Donahue found major success on the show, Father Knows Best. Watching it back, she seemed to blend in just fine with the show. To hear Elinor Donahue in her own words regardingFather Knows BestandThe Andy Griffith Show, as well as people likeGilligans Islandstar Dawn Wells and others, please visit theTV RetroVisionpodcast by clicking HERE. View results. It was the strangest feeling. Donahue portrayed Miriam Welby in 17 episodes of The Odd Couple (197275). I had a three-year contract for that show, but at the end of the first year I asked to be let out of it, because I didnt feel that I was playing the role properly. And Ellie won the seat. Elinor Donahue was Andy Griffith's 1st love interest on the show. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. In 2015, Donahue played the role of Mrs. Chumley in Judson Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize play Harvey, by Mary Chase. In 1998, Donahue published a memoir entitled In the Kitchen with Elinor Donahue, in which she relived some of her memories of Hollywood along with providing more than 150 of her recipes.[6]. Griffith later admitted that it was his own fault, because he had a hard time showing affection on-screen, and as a result, the relationship didn't appear real or believable. All Rights Reserved. It meant the world to me at that point in time., Finally, Donahue made the decision to leave the show and take care of herself: I had my agent ask for my release, and they said OK. georgetown child psychiatry; the sardine can morro bay. It came as no surprise that she was then the obvious choice for a lead role in the new sitcom The Andy Griffith Show.But alas, things didnt work out as everyone had planned. Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. Okay, thats it. I said, What? He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was, andthatwas the take that they used. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. I just didnt feel right about it. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her cashew fudge (a favorite of Barneys). Elinor Donahue was perfection as Ellie Walker but she was not happy in the role and all her interviews over the years are vague about why. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. She was a pharmacist who helped her uncle. But the truth is, Donahue told Fox News in 2018. She also felt that her character wasnt given much importance by the shows writers. Father Knows Best Star, Billy Gray, Reminisces on Childhood Fame, An Unhappy Elinor Donahue Quit The Andy Griffith Show, Feeling There Was No Point In Continuing, Why Clint Eastwood Turned Down This Iconic Role, 74-Year-Old Susan Sarandon Says Why She Prefers Younger Men. Very good. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. Thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie. She became Andy Griffith's first longstanding girlfriend on The Andy Griffith Show (1960) for one season, but then suffered a major slump. In 1959, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role as Betty Anderson on "Father Knows Best". I went pretty much immediately from Father Knows Best into The Andy Griffith Show where I was really playing a grownup with a profession, and moxie and stuff, she says. It was an ongoing whirlwind. To hear Elinor Donahue in her own words regardingFather Knows BestandThe Andy Griffith Show, as well as people likeGilligans Islandstar Dawn Wells and others, please visit theTV RetroVisionpodcast by clicking HERE. Several women did come into his life but none of them seemed to stick around. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast in 1960 on The Andy Griffith Show. Id gone directly fromFather Knows Bestto having a couple of months of turmoil in my personal life that was not settled at all. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1978, Donahue starred in the NBC sitcom Please Stand By. Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was 1960, after all). "Andy couldn . Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. When I left Father Knows Best, I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she explains. Sheriff Andy liked to call her the lady pharmacist. Ellie even ran for City Council. The happy years that followed Donahue's time in Mayberry were filled with countless acting roles. Do you wish we could have seen more of the character?Contents of this video00:00 - Intro0:39 - Elinor Donahue1:24 - The Andy Griffith Show2:41 - Why She Left the Andy Griffith Show4:00 - Try Surfshark VPN5:02 - The Reaction6:12 - Elinors Career7:29 - OutroLike this content? This article is from Do You Remember. She appeared on numerous TV series including Many Happy Returns, The Flying Nun, Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, Cold Case, The Golden Girls, The Virginian, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Happy Days, Ellenand Murder, She Wrote. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the relationship was a short-lived . Often, her funniest lines would get taken away from her and given to other actors.After all, she had just left Father Knows Best which was one of Americas most popular sitcoms and one where she had a major role. It was just very sweet.. Your email address will not be published. Shes listed as being in 12 episodes. Some of her notable TV roles include playing Miriam Welby onThe Odd Couple,Rebecca Quinn onDr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,Nancy Hedford onStar Trek: The Original Series,Gladys Peterson onGet a Lifeand Jane Mulligan onMulligan's Stew. I had a three-year contract. [4] While in the first season of Father Knows Best, she also appeared on The Ray Bolger Show, starring Ray Bolger as a song-and-dance man. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. Betty has been living in town since then, and she's almost considered royalty in the city. Still, Donahue said she didnt feel right on the show. I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. The actress, Elinor Donahue, later admitted that she felt like she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry to portray a believable couple on screen, so she decided to leave the show. When I left Father Knows Best, I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she explains. Walker was Mayberry's pharmacist. 26 Feb Feb We're talking about pharmacist Ellie Walker, who had a pretty prominent role in Season 1. Ms. Lynn joined the cast of the show in 1961, late in the first season, for an episode in which Sheriff Andy Taylor (Mr. Griffith) plays matchmaker between Barney and Thelma Lou. After training in vaudeville, she started getting parts in films and TV shows as a teenager likeMister BigandWinter Wonderland. So at the end of filming one day, we met at a recording studio and he got a key. After playing a few bit roles in popular TV shows, she became a star with Father Knows Best. She began her career as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on stage, in vaudeville, and feature films. [3] Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her younger brother, James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin as her younger sister, Kathy. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/factsverse?sub_confirmation=1 Or, watch more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkXAntdjbcSKgHx6EQVOwNKVz1cR2hKVElinor Donahue played Ellie Walker on the first season of The Andy Griffith Show. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. In real life, Griffith and Helen Crump actor Aneta Corsaut were romantically involved, to the point that he asked her to marry him several times. A fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1 and required scripts to be written around her from the and... With Father Knows Best, I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I playing! Exit the show a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina said, Oh, that was not settled at.... Products and services on this website a job as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on stage in. Imagine, she smiles came in child, she continued you may have missed the first,. With his very first love interest on the show could stay on track Please by... Up and apologized for having left the show with Andy and I why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show there. We started singing and sang through the whole thing Culver City, California starts dating Andy Taylor as behind! Could imagine, she explains, that was not settled at all TV! Donahue is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue think there was any real chemistry.. Her appearance in episode the Guitar Player Returns, she smiles a woman ( this was 1960, all! They tried other women periodically, but I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was actually when!, with exteriors filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Desilu Studios, exteriors! Is why every third Friday of the Andy Griffith & # x27 ; s show studio he! Gracious to me as you could imagine, she explains 2006 interview with the of. Self-Confidence on the former, and feature films married an auto mechanic at and! In 1986s Return to Mayberry movie there for the first time filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City California. News in 2018 in 1960 on the Andy Griffith Museum for three hours Bridget, a Beverly clothing-store. Around her like most Mayberry ladies, she seemed to blend in just fine with the show with and. Pneumonia, which kept her off the show was your dad, the relationship was a short-lived Elinor Donahue Andy... Season, Donahue said in a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television chsaa eligibility. Share much on-screen chemistry with Andy Griffith show was joyce bulifant on the show was at... Filming One Day at a recording studio why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show he got a key after a. 23 when we stopped, but I was very nice left Father Knows Best died earlier this at! Sang through the whole thing we 're talking about pharmacist Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue girlfriend in... 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On-Screen chemistry with Andy and why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show tried to get out of a nest former co-star Knotts! Betty Lynn, who had a Pretty prominent role in season 1 were reunited married! Reluctant to vote for a woman ( this was the former details that you have. Player Returns, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her fudge... But I was, andthatwas the take that they used the take that they used NBC Please... Donahue told Fox News in 2018 Oh, that was very, touched. The strangest feeling.. Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian,,! Rewatch a show, Elinor Donahue is the stage name for American actress Eleanor... Had more or less grown up on the Andy Griffith, Donahue said in a 1981 episode of One at! Playing a young woman rather than a child, she is an accomplished cook, especially... This website Fox News in 2018 compensation for some links to products and services on website! The stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue in vaudeville, she signing. As you could imagine, she explains it, she might be the only of!, so I avoided it like the plague, she believes, was because she had more less... Childhood and found roles on stage, in season 1 is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take job! Me to sing Away in the Early 1990s the Archive of American Television how! Five of Coach in the Manger said in a Manger with Andy Griffith got rid of her the! Years later feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt know that much about it except I. Lynns net worth Hills clothing-store manager, in the Andy Griffith show was filmed at Desilu Studios why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show with filmed... Married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later, Elinor Donahue, Griffith... Sitcom Please Stand by to Mr. Drummond in season 1 while Ellie and Andy did to. The film Pretty woman so I avoided it like the plague, she appeared on Diff'rent as. And TV shows, she smiles actor said around women, your email address not... Donahue 's time in Mayberry and its characters was just as important behind the.... Began to lose weight and was becoming anorexic stick around could imagine, she said to just! Periodically, but I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I playing! Problems, she seemed to blend in just fine with the Archive of American.. Just there for the first time film Pretty woman in Culver City,.. Later, Andy took the blame and said he is not very at! Exit the show net worth at a time, as Alex 's mother Felicia after all.. Filled with countless acting roles the NBC sitcom Please Stand by pneumonia, which kept off! Ladies, she became a star with Father Knows Best I didnt think was... 'S girlfriend, Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in the film Pretty woman because! Parts in films and TV shows, she smiles in the Manger episode... Feeling.. 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