1937Born, Tacoma
80Credits
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. 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. Donahue was a musical judge in ABC's Jukebox Jury (1953–54). While in the first season of Father Knows Best she also appeared on The Ray Bolger Show, starring Ray Bolger…
Known for
FriendsAunt Lillian
Pretty WomanBridget
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementLady Palimore
Star TrekCommissioner Nancy Hedford
Freddy's Dead: The Final NightmareOrphanage Woman2025No FriendsAunt LillianMovie
2004The Princess Diaries 2: Royal EngagementLady PalimoreMovie
2003Cold CaseEsther 'Legs' Davis (2005) · 1 episodeShow
2001Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart WithinRebecca Quinn DickinsonMovie
1996Dear GodElinor DonahueMovie
1996E! True Hollywood Story1 episodeShow
1994EllenDelores Warwell · 1 episodeShow
1993Dr. Quinn, Medicine WomanRebecca Quinn · 9 episodesShow
1992Eek! The CatMom (voice) · 112 episodesShow
1991Herman's HeadMrs. Fitzer · 1 episodeShow
1991Freddy's Dead: The Final NightmareOrphanage WomanMovie
1990Get a LifeGradys Peterson · 35 episodesShow
1990Pretty WomanBridgetMovie
1989CoachLorraine · 2 episodesShow
1987The New Adventures of Beans BaxterSusan Baxter · 17 episodesShow
1985The Golden GirlsKatherine · 1 episodeShow
1984Murder, She WroteConnie Lewis · 1 episodeShow
1984No Earthly ReasonMrs. MorrisonMovie
1983High School U.S.A.Mrs. FranklinMovie
1983Going BerserkMargaret AndersonMovie
1983Just an Overnight GuestMovie
1982NewhartIrma · 1 episodeShow
1982HotelLouise · 1 episodeShow
1980CondominiumAudrey Ames · 2 episodesShow
1979$weepstake$1 episodeShow
1978Diff'rent Strokes1 episodeShow
1978Police Story: No Margin for ErrorMovie
1978Doctors' Private LivesMona WiseMovie
1977Father Knows Best: Home for ChristmasBetty AndersonMovie
1977Mulligan's StewJane Mulligan · 6 episodesShow
1977Dick Clark's Good Old DaysMovie
1977CHiPsElnor Donahue (uncredited) · 1 episodeShow
1977Mulligan's StewJane MulliganMovie
1977The Father Knows Best ReunionBetty AndersonMovie
1976Battle of the Network Stars1 episodeShow
1975One Day at a Time1 episodeShow
1975S.W.A.T.1 episodeShow
1974Police WomanEllie Tarlow · 1 episodeShow
1974PetrocelliJoan Hiller · 1 episodeShow
1974Happy Days1 episodeShow
1973Police Story2 episodesShow
1973Barnaby JonesJudy Corbett · 1 episodeShow
1972Gidget Gets MarriedMedley BlaineMovie
1970The Odd CoupleMiriam Welby · 17 episodesShow
1969In Name OnlyEsther GarrityMovie
1969Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1 episodeShow
1967The Flying NunDr. Jennifer Ethrington · 1 episodeShow
1966Occasional Wife1 episodeShow
1964Many Happy Returns26 episodesShow
1963Redigo1 episodeShow
1962The Eleventh Hour1 episodeShow
1962The VirginianCarole Cole · 1 episodeShow
1961Dr. KildareSharon Calloway · 1 episodeShow
1960The Andy Griffith ShowEllie Walker · 12 episodesShow
1960The Brothers BrannaganDiane · 1 episodeShow
1959Girls TownMary Lee MorganMovie
1959Dennis the Menace1 episodeShow
1959Imitation of LifeLora's Friend (uncredited)Movie
195877 Sunset StripLaura Holt · 1 episodeShow
1957Have Gun, Will TravelLetty Mae Stinchcomb · 1 episodeShow
1954Father Knows BestBetty Anderson · 203 episodesShow
1953Letter to LorettaDebbie Waring, Janey · 1 episodeShow
1953General Electric TheaterCarol Madsen · 1 episodeShow
1952Love Is Better Than EverPattie Marie LevoyMovie
1951Schlitz Playhouse of Stars1 episodeShow
1951Her First RomanceLucille StewartMovie
1950The George Burns and Gracie Allen ShowEmily Vanderlip Foster · 1 episodeShow
1950My Blue HeavenMary (uncredited)Movie
1950Tea for TwoMovie
1950The Happy YearsConnie BrownMovie
1950Singing GunsLittle Girl (uncredited)Movie
1949An Old-Fashioned GirlMaud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)Movie
1948The Arkansas SwingToni MacGregorMovie
1948Tenth Avenue AngelCynthia (uncredited)Movie
1948Three Daring DaughtersAlix MorganMovie
1947The Unfinished DanceJosie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)Movie
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