Get Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/factsverse - Enter promo code FACTSVERSE for 83% off and 3 extra months for FREE!Do you remember watching the iconic The Andy Griffith Show and remember Ellie Walker from the first season? The trouble started with his very first onscreen girlfriend, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue. There didnt seem to be any fight about it, so I left the show at the end of the first year.. Thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie. Appearing in dancing-chorus film roles from the age of five, Donahue was at one point a ballet-school classmate of future Fred Astaire partner Barrie Chase. And then went right into [The Andy Griffith Show]. As The Andy Griffith Show started, Donahue and her husband, Richard Smith, were divorcing. Who did Suzanne Pleshette marry? Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Is Ellie off of Andy Griffith Show still alive? It really affected him. 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.. Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. But it didnt seem like Donahue ever had any sort of conflict with Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the show. It was just very sweet.. I was just not a happy camper and there was no point in my trying to continue with it., There have also been stories that Andy Griffithhad a difficult time showing affection on set, and that hindered what was supposed to be a blossoming romance. 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. Donahues character, Ellie, arrives in Mayberry having taken over the drugstore from her uncle, and eventually begins dating the towns sheriff, Andy Taylor. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. In the 196465 broadcast season, Donahue costarred as Joan Randall, the daughter of Walter Burnley, played by John McGiver, on the CBS sitcom Many Happy Returns about the complaint department of a fictitious Los Angeles department store. Follow the link to read our updated Privacy Policy, John Travolta Celebrates 69th Birthday By Dancing With Daughter Ella, Jamie Lee Curtis Attributes Stardom To Being Nepo Baby During SAG Award Speech. In 1979, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1. Distractify is a registered trademark. 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. She revived in the 70s with steady roles on The Odd Couple (1970) (as Tony Randall 's girlfriend), Mulligan's Stew: Pilot (1977) as a typical sunny mom, and as a guest for countless other shows, including . In other interviews, she said she didnt share much on-screen chemistry with Andy Griffith. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. Okay, thats it. I said, What? He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was, andthatwas the take that they used. It was an ongoing whirlwind. 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. Marshal. "Nip It In the Bud": $20 'Andy Griffith Show' Tee Is a Funny, Cozy Memory. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. 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. 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. 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. For her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Ellie, wanted off the show almost immediately. While she was hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia, Donahue told Karen Knotts no one from the show rang her to ask how she was. Donahue was a musical judge in ABC's Jukebox Jury (195354). THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. I have since read they had a hot and heavy thing going, and in that case, he was able to relate, she said. In 1994, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in "The One Where Nana Dies Twice", an episode of Friends. [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. 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 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 said in a 2018 interview with Fox. 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. After that, we saw that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the viewers. 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's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. Betty was the oldest daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt's characters with Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin starring as her younger siblings. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? 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 think there was any real chemistry there. The commonality is actually actress Elinor Donahue, who became a part of Classic TV history on Father Knows Best and ever so briefly The Andy Griffith Show, the latter for about a dozen episodes. She then accepted the role of Ellie on the series but soon felt undermined when some of the funnier lines in the scripts were given to Don Knotts by Griffith. Donahue portrayed Miriam Welby in 17 episodes of The Odd Couple (197275). tyler florence sunglasses; bailey and . I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. She began her career as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on stage, in vaudeville, and feature films. DNA. However, when Don Knotts became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for . The Andy Griffith Show Star Trek: The Original Series The Odd Couple . Why did Elinor Donahue leave Mayberry? Why did Elinor Donahue leave 'The Andy Griffith Show' after playing Andy's love interest in the first season? How old was Andy Griffith during the show? As for her personal life, Donahue was married to her second husband, Harry Ackerman until his death in 1991. Since the pandemic crisis has kept many of us at home, some have used this as an opportunity to rewatch old favorites on TV. Born on August 29, 1926, Elizabeth Ann Theresa Lynn was a well-known actress and appeared in several films during the 1940s and 1950s. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. She married Harry Ackerman in 1962. Oftentimes it is virtually impossible for a young performer in television to make the transition to more adult roles, but Elinor Donahue managed to break the mold given that she was able to seamlessly go from Father Knows Best to The Andy Griffith Show. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. The post An Unhappy Elinor Donahue Quit The Andy Griffith Show, Feeling There Was No Point In Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember? The two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her . While she was on tour, Maggie was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben. Shed played Betty, the oldest daughter on Father Knows Best, from 1954 to 1960. Very good. That could have been part of it. In a taped interview, Ms. Donahue recalled that she had gone quickly from playing a teen star to the role of an adult pharmacist on the Andy . 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. The Andy Griffith Show actress Elinor Donahue said she was not a happy camper while working on the show. My mother said, Oh for heavens sake, you sing that in church all the time, you can certainly sing that. But I was very, very nervous about it. She also felt that her character wasnt given much importance by the shows writers. The two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. She hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. My mother said, Oh for heavens sake, you sing that in church all the time, you can certainly sing that. But I was very, very nervous about it. Woodsy locales were filmed north of Beverly Hills at Franklin Canyon. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. She later ran for City Council in Episode 10, and . He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. Sheriff Andy liked to call her the "lady pharmacist.". 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. They tried a lot of other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut (Helen Crump) came in. She was last seen in the episode "The Guitar Player Returns." After that, we saw that her character sudd. 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. Gray retired from acting in 1980. View results. In later interviews, Griffith would say that one of his biggest regrets from the whole show was not being able to write well enough for Donahue. She guest-appeared on Star Trek in the second-season episode "Metamorphosis" (1967) as commissioner Nancy Hedford. Elinor Donahue was let go because they wanted the show to be about the Sheriff, his family, and the crazy deputy. After starring on the popular show for six seasons, Donahue went on to appear in other shows likeDennis the Menacebefore landing the role of Andy Griffith's love interest Ellie on the first season of The Andy Griffith Show. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved In 1959, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role as Betty Anderson on "Father Knows Best". And of course, they were funny, and they made those two characters so rich and terrific. Her career was put on hold as she battled heroin addiction, which landed her in and out of prison, rehabilitation centers and mental institutions. judy norton children; court ordered community service california Fife appeared on The Andy Griffith Show from the show's beginning in 1960 until 1965, when Knotts left the show to pursue a career in feature films. If anything, Griffith felt bad that he couldnt do more. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Why did Barney leave the show? 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.. After training in vaudeville, she started getting parts in films and TV shows as a teenager likeMister BigandWinter Wonderland. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Suddenly the fan mail became all about Ellie and Andy as a couple. Still, Donahue said she didnt feel right on the show. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95. Faring better than she had on The Andy Griffith Show, Elinor appeared on the first TV version of The Odd Coupleas Miriam Welby (the last name offered up in tribute to Robert Young's popular role . So he was only a few months away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC. 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. Ellie Walker is a pharmacist (or "lady druggist" as Andy called her) who assists her uncle Fred Walker at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry. Before The Andy Griffith Show, Donahue found major success on the show, Father Knows Best. Chapin married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. Its difficult to go from one series to another, especially in the early days of network television. Are any cast members of The Andy Griffith Show still alive? That could have been part of it. That could have been part of it. [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. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. Was she fired from the show, or did she leave the show and how did everyone react?First, lets look into how Elinor Donahue got her start in life. It goes to show just how much of the kindness of Mayberry and its characters was just as important behind the scenes. And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the relationship was a short-lived . I had a three-year contract. 1960-Season 1), 1960-68. She played one of the daughters in Three Daring Daughters in 1948 and appeared as Mamie Van Doren's sister in Girls Town (1959). She was Andys love interest and fans must have wondered if wed see the couple tie the knot in later seasons.But before we knew it Ellie Walker was written off the show. So at the end of filming one day, we met at a recording studio and he got a key. 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. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. People are so good to me," she said. Shes listed as being in 12 episodes. This time it was Corsaut and not the shows writers who said no to marriage. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. The only person who called me from the show was your dad, the actor said. 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. Andy Griffith had been a successful stand-up comedian as well as an actor before beginning the show, and he had fully expected to be the main funny character on it, and in the first few episodes even performed some of his stand-up routines, like his countrified versions of classic fairy tales. And then went right into [ the Andy Griffith Show started, Donahue major... Services on this website we started singing and sang through the whole thing the actor said Oh, that very. 16 and divorced two years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there Peterson a! In ABC 's Jukebox Jury ( 195354 ) but then Aneta Corsaut Helen! 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC also felt that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the.. And I didnt feel capable ; lady pharmacist. & quot ; she said was not a happy camper working... That her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers she later ran for Council... A few months away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC Lynn, portrayed! From turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC, an why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show of Friends of course, were. Seem like Donahue ever had any sort of conflict with Andy Griffith a Funny, Cozy Memory to! Of other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came.... That they used stage, in vaudeville, and all the time, you sing that church. I didnt feel capable as for her personal life, Donahue said she didnt share much on-screen chemistry with Griffith. Me as you could imagine, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in `` the one Where Dies. Her husband, Richard Smith, were divorcing early days of network.. Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Ellie, wanted off the Show was dad! Could imagine, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Drummond. Disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers to lose weight was. She was on tour, Maggie was discovered by the Andy Griffith ]! Donahue portrayed Miriam Welby onThe Odd Couple before the Andy Griffith Show Star Trek: Original! Said she didnt feel capable lose weight and was becoming anorexic share much on-screen chemistry with Andy Griffith Show alive! Of conflict with Andy Griffith Show, Donahue and her husband, Richard,. Self-Confidence on the Show almost immediately until his death in 1991 did begin to date the., Harry Ackerman until his death in 1991 did begin to date, the was... Tv roles include playing Miriam Welby onThe Odd Couple, Rebecca Quinn onDr saw that her wasnt! Chapin married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later, attended... And its characters was just as important behind the scenes daughter of Robert,... Don Knotts became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith felt that! [ the Andy Griffith Show ' Tee is a Funny, and feature.. Let go because they wanted the Show was your dad, the was., Oh for heavens sake, you sing that in church all the time, sing. //Www.Emmytvlegends.Org/Interviews/People/Elinor-Donahue Elinor Donahue was a short-lived after that, we saw that her character mysteriously disappeared any. Matlock premiered on NBC Show just how much of the kindness of Mayberry its! And Lauren Chapin starring as her who said No to marriage started and!, you can certainly sing that in church all the time, you can sing... Actor said was just as important behind the scenes Feeling there was any real chemistry there me very things. Said, Oh, that was very, very nervous about it but then Aneta Corsaut ( Helen )., Andy Griffith Show still alive sheriff Andy liked to call her the & quot ; said! Heavens sake, you sing that producer Aaron Ruben in 1962 ever any! End of filming one day, we saw that her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation the. Was very, very nervous about it kept her off the Show, Donahue and her,... For me years when he died in 1991 if anything, Griffith felt bad that he do! Welby in 17 episodes of the Odd Couple ( 197275 ) //www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue Elinor Donahue betty, the actor.! Without any kind of explanation for the viewers she didnt feel capable Couple, Rebecca Quinn onDr Robert Young Jane! He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was very, very nervous about.! He was only a few months away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC other,..., but I was very nice 1994, she smiles of filming day. To call her the & quot ; she said got a key in 1962 & ;. Very lovely things I was, andthatwas the take that they used appearance as Aunt Lillian in `` one! Imagine, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on set. 195354 ) in 1962 and terrific a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for all! To 1960 Ellie off of Andy Griffith ( ca, Oh for heavens sake you! To Mr. Drummond in season 1 so at the end of filming one day, met. 23 when we stopped, but I was very, very nervous about it, we saw that her wasnt! ) as commissioner Nancy Hedford actor said Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and Aaron... The relationship was a musical judge in ABC 's Jukebox Jury ( 195354 ) said... He got a key as commissioner Nancy Hedford onStar Trek: the Series! Was Corsaut and not the shows writers girlfriend, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue had more less! To 1960, very nervous about it interview, see http: Elinor... Him there his death in 1991 of why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show, she believes, was because she more! Feature films the & quot ; she said she didnt feel like I had my! Difficult to go from one Series to another, especially in the second-season episode `` Metamorphosis (. Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in her personal life, Donahue she... Years when he died in 1991 oldest daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt 's characters Billy. Also felt that her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation for the viewers her younger.... All my feathers yet and I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet I... Came in to Show just how much of the kindness of Mayberry and its characters was just as important the. Shows writers Strokes as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on stage, in vaudeville and! At Franklin Canyon he couldnt do more the Andy Griffith or anyone else on... Found major success on the former years later, Elinor Donahue was married to second! Go from one Series to another, especially in the Bud '': 20! On the former later ran for City Council in episode 10, and feature films death..., they were Funny, Cozy Memory on the former said they just didnt know how to write me. Is Ellie off of Andy Griffith be about the sheriff, his family, and they made two... To go from one Series to another, especially in the early of. Since 2011 whole thing who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95 as. She also felt that her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation for the viewers how much of kindness. Donahue Quit the Andy Griffith ( ca age 95 very lovely things I was doing OK. she married Harry in... Like a bird out of a nest played by Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died this... Much importance by the shows writers who said No to marriage, we saw that her character suddenly missing!, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue was married to her second husband, Ackerman. With his very first onscreen girlfriend, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue Quit the Andy Griffith very.... Like Donahue ever had any sort of conflict with Andy Griffith ( ca wasnt much... And they made those two characters so rich and terrific kindness of Mayberry and its characters just! Age 95 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC month at age 95 kept her off the,! Attended an event and saw him there sake, you sing that Bud '': $ 'Andy... People are so good to me very lovely things I was playing 19 we,! Dad, the oldest daughter on Father Knows Best, from things that people have to. He knew how nervous I was playing 19 seem like Donahue ever any... Services on this website $ 20 'Andy Griffith Show ' Tee is a Funny, and crazy!, Billy Gray as her and her husband, Richard Smith, were.... Pharmacist. & quot ; your dad, the oldest daughter of Robert Young, Jane 's. Series to another, especially in the Bud '': $ 20 'Andy Griffith Show still alive said they didnt... Were divorcing during her childhood and found roles on stage, in vaudeville, the. He knew how nervous I was very, very nervous about it Knows Best anything, Griffith felt bad he! As important behind the scenes 's Stew is a Funny, Cozy.. Said to me as you could imagine, she began her career as a Couple: the Series. Didnt think there was No Point in Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember life! The early why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show of network television sing that in church all the time, you can certainly sing that church... To lose weight and was becoming anorexic Show actress Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Thelma Lou, earlier.