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Mary Eleanor Donahue (born April 19, 1937), also known as Eleanor Donahue, is a famous American actress and television personality.
She is best known for her role as Betty Anderson in the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best.
Eleanor Donahue’s character was the eldest daughter of Jim and Margaret Anderson, who were played by Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, respectively, in the series, which aired on CBS from 1954 to 1960 and won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe during its run.
American actress
Eleanor Donahue |
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 Eleanor Donahue: History, Life, Photos |
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| Wiki facts and figures | |
| Name: | Mary Eleanor Donahue |
| stage name: | Eleanor Donahue |
| Date of Birth: | April 19, 1937 (87 years old) |
| place of birth: | Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Country of Citizenship: | American |
| high: | 1.63 m |
| parents: | Thomas William Donahue, Doris Genevieve Donahue |
| Brothers and sisters: | not applicable |
| Husband • Spouse: | Lou Ginevrino (m. 1992), Harry Ackerman (m. 1962-1991), Richard Smith (m. 1955-1961) |
| Boyfriend and partner: | Jack Jones |
| Children: | Christopher Akerman, James Akerman, Peter Akerman, Brian Akerman |
| Profession: | Actress • Television personality |
| net worth: | $4 million |
Early life and education
Mary Eleanor Donahue was born on April 19, 1937 in Tacoma, Washington, D.C., United States. Her parents are Doris Genevieve Donahue and Thomas William Donahue. There is no information about her siblings.
She attended a ballet school with Barrie Chase, who would later marry Fred Astaire, and at age five she danced chorus roles in films.
Eleanor Donahue began her acting career as a child in vaudeville troupes. By her teens, she had appeared in several small roles in films, including Elizabeth Taylor’s 1952 film, Better Than Ever.
Personal life
Eleanor Donahue was married several times. Her first marriage was to Richard Smith. She married Richard Smith in 1955 when she was 18 years old. They divorced in 1961.
A year after divorcing her first wife, she married Harry Ackerman in 1962, with whom she had four children. Unfortunately, Harry Ackerman died in 1991.
A year after Harry Ackerman’s death, she married Lou Ginevrino in 1992, with whom she still lives today. Eleanor Donahue is the proud mother of four children. Her first child is named James Ackerman, Christopher Ackerman, Brian Ackerman, and Peter Ackerman.
Eleanor Donahue dated Jack Jones (1959-1960)
Profession
Eleanor Donahue rose to fame playing the eldest daughter, Betty, in the family television series Father Knows Best, which ran from 1954 to 1960. Her co-stars included Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her brother, James “Bud” Anderson II, and Lauren Chapin as her sister, Cathy.
Elinor Donahue served as a music judge on the ABC show “Jukebox Judges” from 1953 to 1954. She also appeared on “The Ray Bolger Show” during the first season of “Father Knows Best,” where Ray Bolger played a vaudeville artist.
She later co-starred with James Best, Ann Dolan and J. Carol Naish in the 1956 Crossroads religious anthology series The White Carnation. She also guest-starred in an episode of U.S. Marshals.
Eleanor Donahue also appeared as a newlywed on the April 2, 1956 episode of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, “The Newlyweds”.
In the 1960 Dennis the Pussycat episode “Dennis and the Wedding”, Eleanor Donahue played Georgiana Ballanger, the niece of George and Martha Wilson.
Eleanor Donahue appeared in an episode of The Brannagan Brothers Duet with Marian Ross in 1960. She played Nurse Hunnicutt on Days of Our Lives.
She played pharmacist Ally Walker in 12 episodes of the first season of CBS’ The Andy Griffith Show, which even thanked her in the opening credits.
The character was originally to be the love interest of Sheriff Andy Taylor, but Elinor Donahue decided to ask to be released from her three-year contract after one season (1960-1961).
After Father Knows Best ended, Eleanor Donahue did so because she needed a break from work stress and troubles in her personal life.
net worth
Eleanor Donahue has a net worth of $4 million. Her income is estimated to be around $10,000, earning a high amount from her acting career.
Her most significant sources of income are her acting career and business ownership.
Social Media
- Instagram account: N/A
- Twitter account: N/A
Filmography
- Father Knows Best
- pretty Woman
- American High School
- Her first love
- Mr. Big
- Love is better than ever
- Girls Town
- Three brave daughters
