Elinor Donahue is famous for her role on the popular TV show “Father Knows Best,” but her career didn’t stop there. She continued to work on screen and in other areas after the show ended.
Now at 86 years old, Elinor Donahue recently appeared as a guest on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”
On “Father Knows Best,” Elinor Donahue played Betty ‘Princess’ Anderson, a key character in the show about a happy middle-class family in the Midwest.
The show began as a radio program in 1949 and aired every Thursday until 1954. After that, CBS brought it to TV, keeping only Robert Young, who played the father, Jim Anderson.
During her six years on the popular show, which was among the top ten TV shows in America, Elinor also appeared on “Crossroads” and “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.” Her busy schedule was so demanding that she admitted she didn’t have time to watch her own show.
Elinor Donahue, who was born in Tacoma in 1937, worked hard on “Father Knows Best.” By the time she got home at night, she would have dinner and then prepare for the next day’s lines. This busy schedule meant she never had time to watch the show.
As a teenager, Elinor’s acting career took off, and she became the main provider for her family. She appeared in movies like *Love is Better than Ever* with Elizabeth Taylor and *Girls Town*.
Since Elinor was still a child, she needed an adult with her on set. With her father not around and her mother working full-time, her mom Doris had to quit her job to be with her.
After “Father Knows Best,” Elinor appeared on other popular shows such as “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Dr. Kildare,” “Star Trek,” and “Mork & Mindy.”
Elinor Donahue, now 86, has appeared in over 70 TV shows and movies like *Winter Wonderland* and *Pretty Woman*.
At 19, she married her first husband, hoping it would make her feel like a grown-up. She admitted to Emmy TV Legends that she felt like a teenager at that age, saying, “I was like a 13-year-old 19.” She felt she hadn’t grown up properly and thought that marriage and having a baby would help her mature.
The person she married was Richard Smith, a sound man from “Father Knows Best.” Elinor decided to marry him because she thought it was her chance to become an adult.
Elinor Donahue shared a funny story about how she got engaged. She said that after a movie date, her first husband, Richard Smith, whispered in her ear, “I love you and I’d like to marry you.” She laughed and replied, “Okay.”
Elinor had her first son, Brian, with Richard. They were married for six years before divorcing in 1961.
In 1962, she married TV producer Harry Ackerman, who was 20 years older than her. They had three sons together and were happily married for almost 30 years until he passed away in 1991.
The following year, Elinor married her third husband, Lou Genevrino, a contractor. She has been retired from acting for the past decade.
Despite never planning to be on screen, Elinor Donahue has had a remarkable and successful career. She has appeared in more than 70 TV shows and movies like *Winter Wonderland* and *Pretty Woman*. Her role as Betty Anderson on *Father Knows Best* made her a household name, and she has continued to impress audiences with her work in shows like *The Andy Griffith Show*, *Star Trek*, and *Mork & Mindy*.
Share this with all the *Father Knows Best* fans you know to celebrate her impressive achievements and enduring impact on television!
JOHNNY DEPP’S CANNES APPEARANCE SPARKS OUTRAGE OVER HIS ‘ROTTING’ TEETH
Johnny Depp is making news at the Cannes Film Festival, but not for the reasons he might have hoped. His new movie, Jeanne Du Barry, premiered on May 16th, but it was Depp’s appearance that stole the spotlight—specifically, his teeth.
The 59-year-old actor, known for his roles in *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *Sweeney Todd*, has kept a low profile since his 2022 legal victory over ex-wife Amber Heard. He has been spending time at his large estate in Somerset, England. However, he decided to attend the Cannes Film Festival for his film’s premiere.
Unfortunately, Depp’s teeth have become a major topic online, with fans expressing shock and disappointment. Some even compared his look to that of rock musician Ozzy Osbourne. Comments on social media have been harsh, with some fans saying they are “disgusted” by how Depp looks. It seems Depp’s appearance at Cannes is getting more attention than his movie.
Fans have been reacting strongly to Johnny Depp’s appearance on social media, especially his teeth. Some people are shocked and unhappy about how his teeth look in photos from the Cannes Film Festival.
One Twitter user wrote, “Johnny Depp’s teeth are literally ROTTING,” and shared a close-up picture of his teeth. Another person asked, “Why do I have to see close-up pics of Johnny Depp’s teeth against my will?” A third critic said, “Johnny Depp just looks like someone grabbed his teeth and painted them black.”
Many fans expressed their disappointment, with one saying, “Seeing that pic of Johnny Depp’s teeth on my timeline just ruined my mood. That’s enough Twitter for me.” Another joked, “Well, at least he’s committed to staying in character for his next pirate movie.” One person even commented, “This should be considered bacterial biological warfare,” while others speculated that his long-term smoking might be the cause, with one user writing, “Dude has been a tobacco smoker for his entire adult life so not surprising.”
Johnny Depp received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, despite some criticism about his teeth. After the premiere of his French biographical drama, Depp was applauded for seven minutes. Reports say he was moved to tears by the response.
While some fans commented negatively on social media about his teeth, many others defended him. On an Instagram post from OK! Magazine, fans showed their support. One wrote, “Jeez, negative trolling—give the guy a break after all he’s been through.” Another said, “Still love Johnny Depp,” with a hand-praising emoji. Fans also praised Depp as a “wonderful talented actor” and a “great man, great father, and amazing actor,” reminding others that he’s been through a lot and deserves respect.
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