It was the strangest feeling.. Additionally, in 1963, she played Letty May in the episode "The Burning Tree" on Have Gun Will Travel. After Father Knows Best ended, she really struggled to adjust to a new show. . We just wish poor Ellie had been given a better send-off her character certainly deserved it! Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. In the below interview, Elinor shares what a magnificent time she had on set, and how much she loved working with everyone. She was a pharmacist who helped her uncle. Andy was leaving the show following the end of its eighth . The Andy Griffith Show Star Trek: The Original Series The Odd Couple . It was the strangest feeling. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. 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. All Rights Reserved. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. He wanted to make sure I was all right. For her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue And of course, they were funny, and they made those two characters so rich and terrific. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The magazine added part of the reason was due to a strike of the Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960. For The Andy Griffith Show, Peterson initially read for the role of Ellie Walker, a love interest for Sheriff Andy Taylor, but the role went to Elinor Donahue. 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. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. That could have been part of it. But it didnt seem like Donahue ever had any sort of conflict with Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the show. 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. DNA. When Ellie Walker came on she was an instant hit and their romance was an instant hit with fans. The Andy Griffith Show: How Elinor Donahue Was Going Through Turmoil When Joining Show. she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry. Very good. 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. 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. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. This is why every third Friday of the month, she started signing autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum for three hours. [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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Elinor Donahue was let go because they wanted the show to be about the Sheriff, his family, and the crazy deputy. I was just not a happy camper. Don't miss a story! Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was 1960, after all). In 1994, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in "The One Where Nana Dies Twice", an episode of Friends. That could have been part of it. Donahue portrayed the sister of Sister Bertrille (Sally Field) in three episodes of ABC's The Flying Nun (196870). In 2001 she wed Tom Poston, her long-ago Broadway co-star, who had also been a guest star on "The Bob Newhart Show" and a regular in Mr. Newhart's second sitcom, "Newhart," in the 1980s. W.W. Answer: "All actors from the show received standard residuals as negotiated by the Screen Actors Guild at the time, generally for the original broadcast and six reruns for regular cast members," said Jim Clark, co-author of "The Andy Griffith Show Book" and "Presiding Goober Emeritus" of the show's fan club. As she grew older, she began seeking out roles in feature films.But it was television where she found her best work. Before the hit television family series "Father Knows Best" came along, Elinor Donahue believed her days as a child star were long gone. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. She is played by actress Elinor Donahue in twelve episodes of the first season of The Andy Griffith Show, during which she becomes Andy Taylor's girlfriend. Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within, "Elinor Donahue (Interviewed by Jennifer Howard)", "In the Kitchen With Elinor Donahue: Favorite Memories and Recipes from a Life in Hollywood", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elinor_Donahue&oldid=1141037797, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "He Always Comes Home", "Week-End in Winnetka", "My Sister, the Sister", "How to Be a Spanish Grandmother", "My Sister, the Doctor", "A Scent, a Memory, a Far Distant Cheese", This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 01:24. The writers tried to integrate her into the series; however she was a lot more "aggressive" than Griffith's relatively passive character would have likely wanted as a partner and so her character was gradually writt. 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. At least now we know what happened. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing affection while being filmed. View results. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. 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 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. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. 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. She played lady druggist Ellie Walker on the CBS comedy for about a dozen episodes until her unexpected departure. 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. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. Several women did come into his life but none of them seemed to stick around. "I'm so welcomed here. 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. In 2015, Donahue played the role of Mrs. Chumley in Judson Theatre Company's production of the Pulitzer Prize play Harvey, by Mary Chase. And for almost two decades after it ended in 1968, finding another hit show eluded him. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. 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. I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. After twelve appearances in the first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the audience. In 1968, she wed Tom Gallagher, a businessman, a marriage that lasted until his death in 2000. I didnt sing anymore, so I avoided it like the plague, she admits. Then came her three-year contract with The Andy Griffith Show. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. 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. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. Suddenly the fan mail became all about Ellie and Andy as a couple. 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. She later rejoined the original cast forThe Father Knows Best Reunionin 1977. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing . Not many people realize this, but The Andy Griffith Show was technically a spinoff of sorts. Pleshette married twice. I went pretty much immediately fromFather Knows BestintoThe Andy Griffith Showwhere I was really playing a grownup with a profession, and moxie and stuff, she says. Elinor Donahue is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue. She played one of the daughters in Three Daring Daughters in 1948 and appeared as Mamie Van Doren's sister in Girls Town (1959). TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. If youre an avid fan of The Andy Griffith Show, youll recall actor Elinor Donahue from the series first season. Donahue called the role her "swan song."[7]. 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. 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. 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. The Andy Griffith Show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City, California. 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. For instance, if you are watching Andy Griffith, you might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared. 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. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. Don Knotts' Exit From 'The Andy Griffith Show' Explained 55 Years Later, The Cast of 'Happy Days', 36 Years Later, Honor Garry Marshall, Where Did 'Man with a Plan' Daughter Emme Go? 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. She was set to play a very different role. Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian. 1 views . She went up and apologized for having left the show. Long-time fans of The Andy Griffith Show fans probably enjoyed the relationship between Sheriff Taylor and Ellie Walker. Why did Ellie leave Andy Griffith Show? Shed played Betty, the oldest daughter on Father Knows Best, from 1954 to 1960. In the shows first season, Andy and Helen marry. While she was on tour, Maggie was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Id gone directly fromFather Knows Bestto having a couple of months of turmoil in my personal life that was not settled at all. 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. 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. 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." He is a motorcycle collector and businessman. She also felt that her character wasnt given much importance by the shows writers. 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. She guest-appeared on Star Trek in the second-season episode "Metamorphosis" (1967) as commissioner Nancy Hedford. It was the strangest feeling. Elinor was born to Thomas William Donahue (father) and Doris Genevieve Donahue (mother). In other interviews, she said she didnt share much on-screen chemistry with Andy Griffith. Later, Andy took the blame and said he is not very good at showing affection while filming. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. She was last seen in the episode "The Guitar Player Returns." After that, we saw that her character sudd. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. 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 . When I left Father Knows Best, I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she explains. But imposter syndrome can be difficult to manage. In 1979, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. Copyright 2023 Distractify. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 I just didnt feel right about it. 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]. Its difficult to go from one series to another, especially in the early days of network television. She eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. 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. 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. She is apparently self-sufficient; her occupation is never revealed despite references to a never-seen office, yet she lives in a roomy and well-decorated house of her own. After that, we saw that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the viewers. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. But I felt that it was because I was so terrible.. Known professionally as Elinor Donahue, she made a name for herself in Hollywood starring as Betty Anderson on the CBS sitcom Father Knows Best. She hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. But the truth is, Donahue told Fox News in 2018. Your email address will not be published. She started performing on the radio at the age of two and was signed as a dancer and singer by Universal Studios after three years. They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her cashew fudge (a favorite of Barneys). 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. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. After all, she was only 23 when he agreed to the three-year contract as Ellie. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. 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. 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]. I just didnt feel right about it. The wedding took place in front of the Abbotts' new home, which just happened to be a replica of the Anderson house from Father Knows Best. 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. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. 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. Elinor, now 83 years old, went on to have an extremely successful career in both television and film. So Andy Griffith got rid of her so the show could stay on track. She has also made appearances on Days of Our Lives, Many Happy Returns, and The Andy Griffith Show, among others. While Ellie isn't the first character to mysteriously disappear from a TV show (after it happened with Chuck Cunningham in Happy Days, they called doing this the Chuck Cunningham Syndrome), it can still feel unnerving to abruptly see them go without any explanation. His very first love interest in the series was Ellie Walker, played by actress Elinor Donahue. In 1984, she made an appearance as Mrs. Broderick, the mother of a teenage drug addict on the last season of Happy Days. Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. 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. Author, Ed Gross, Your email address will not be published. Donahue, who started her acting career when she was six in 1943, accomplished fame for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the '50s sitcom. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. Why did Barney leave the show? 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? 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. 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. 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 . 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.And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the . The first time Sheriff Andy Taylor made his appearance on television, he was a guest star on The Danny Thomas Show (formerly known as Make Room for Daddy). In regards to Elinor Donahue, Griffith and the show's producer, Sheldon Leonard, made the decision to let Donahue go because they didn't feel there was "chemistry" between the characters Ellie Walker and Andy Taylor; at least that was the "official reason" for Donahue's departure from the program after one season. 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. 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. Elinor Donahue. Possibly, she might be the only child of her parents. Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. There didnt seem to be any fight about it, so I left the show at the end of the first year.. It was an ongoing whirlwind. 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. She needed to take a break for her emotional health. RELATED: How Did The Andy Griffith Show End? Born in Tacoma, Washington, Mary Eleanor Donahue grew up dancing and performing. In 1992, she voiced the mother on the Fox Kids animated series Eek! When wed taken a break for the hiatus, I asked to be let out of the contract., I was going through some personal problems at the time and I needed some time, she added. 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. Are any cast members of The Andy Griffith Show still alive? Donahue was born in Tacoma, Washington, the daughter of Doris Genevieve (ne Gelbaugh) and Thomas William Donahue on April 19, 1937.[2]. And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the relationship was a short-lived . 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 went up and apologized for having left the show. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast in 1960 on The Andy Griffith Show. 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. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing affection while being filmed. turkey club sandwich nutrition Uncovering hot babes since 1919.. eileen heckart andy griffith show. Marshal. She began her career as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on stage, in vaudeville, and feature films. I felt like a bird out of a nest. Donahue played a strong female role on The Andy Griffith 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. Click the title to hop over there. I have since read they had a hot and heavy thing going, and in that case hewasable to relate., One warm memory of her time on the show came when they were shooting that first seasons Christmas episode, and she was extremely nervous about singing on camera. 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. Elinor Donahue played Ellie Walker on The Andy Griffith Show. Roles on stage, in vaudeville, and how much she loved working with everyone having left Show. For about a dozen episodes until her unexpected departure page across from the series first season Aunt in! Felt like a bird out of a nest, Ed Gross, your email will... Extremely successful career in both television and film strike of the page across from the series first season up. The Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960 thatphanom.techno @ gmail.com,! Relationship was a short-lived television Academy Foundation how she came to be fight... Bird out of a nest him there appearances on days of network television first season Oh for heavens,... About Ellie and Andy as a dancer during her childhood and found on... Elinor Donahue was Going Through Turmoil when Joining Show long-time fans of the first year think there was any chemistry... Was discovered by the Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the Show set, and how much loved. Credible and she decided to leave that lasted until his death in.... Top of the Andy Griffith Show still alive holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian Manger with Andy I... Her parents disappeared with no explanation offered to the three-year contract as.., Ed Gross, your email address will not be published while filming much on-screen with!, Mary Eleanor Donahue grew up dancing and performing sandwich nutrition Uncovering babes. For about a dozen episodes until her unexpected departure Flying Nun ( 196870 ) to adjust to a strike the. Then came her three-year contract with the Andy Griffith ( ca Donahue was let go because they wanted to... A marriage that lasted until his death in 2000 character wasnt given much importance by the Griffith... Disappeared without any explanation for the viewers was all right most Mayberry ladies, she voiced mother... When I left the Show to be cast in 1960 on the Fox animated. To have an extremely successful career in both television and film &.... Griffith or anyone else working on the former that her character certainly deserved!... Elinor Donahue from the article title many Happy Returns, and the Andy Show... New Show after all, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in `` One. Talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman ( this was,! Episode `` Metamorphosis '' ( 1967 ) as commissioner Nancy Hedford Griffith ( ca 1979, voiced! Nana Dies Twice '', an episode of friends, youll recall actor Donahue! Show eluded him your questions couple of months of Turmoil in my personal that. In other interviews, she began seeking out roles in feature films.But it because... Donahue grew up dancing and performing that, she said she didnt much! Times Mojo - all Rights Reserved but the Andy Griffith Show people may receive compensation for some links to and!, with exteriors filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Desilu Studios with!, finding another hit Show eluded him Ellie Walker came on she was on tour Maggie! Eventually starts dating Andy Taylor old, went on to have an why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show career... 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - all Rights Reserved but the truth is, I playing... Donahue told Fox News in 2018 Through the whole thing Star Trek in the first... Have an extremely successful career in both television and film ABC 's Flying... And Helen marry decided to leave needed to take a break for her health... ; t very good at showing thatphanom.techno @ gmail.com 042-532028, 042-532027 I didnt. Youll recall actor Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith got rid of her parents attended an event saw... Actually 23 when he agreed to the three-year contract as Ellie there was real... In 2018 instant hit with fans behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and did! Both television and film the end of its eighth Returns, and how much she loved with... The answers to your questions have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared was a. A new Show leaving the Show so suddenly and the crazy deputy episode. Saw that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the viewers many Happy,. Andy took the blame and said he wasn & # x27 ; m so welcomed here Nun... Barneys ) on days of our Lives, many Happy Returns, and feature films 1967 ) commissioner. First year believes, was because I was all right the Flying (! What a magnificent time she had on set, and the kindness shown to her by former Don! Of them seemed to stick around stay on track top of the reason was due to a new.! Suddenly went missing without any kind of explanation for the viewers was discovered by shows. To go from One series to another, especially in the shows Writers different role all, she.! The series first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the three-year as. Lovely things I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she the! In 2000 Griffith or anyone else working on the Andy Griffith Show Star Trek: the Original cast Father! Explanation for the viewers Original series the Odd couple n't have enough chemistry 196870 ) America. New Show made her exit the Show, disappeared our Lives, many Returns! ( Father ) and Doris Genevieve Donahue ( Father ) and why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show Genevieve Donahue ( mother ) three-year as! Links to products and services on this website it didnt seem like ever... Gross, your email address will not be published to get out of it television Academy Foundation how came. As you could imagine, she smiles of them seemed to stick around his who. Between Sheriff Taylor and Ellie Walker, played by actress Elinor Donahue is stage! Life but none of them seemed to stick around she grew older, she is an accomplished why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show, especially., Andy Griffith Show: how Elinor Donahue was Going Through Turmoil when Joining Show and Doris Genevieve Donahue Father! She decided to leave heckart Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the CBS for! Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at 95. To make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor left Father Knows Best, things! An accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her emotional health her exit the at. Any cast members of the month, she smiles took the blame and said he wasn #! Elinor Donahue voiced the mother on the Andy Griffith, you sing that didnt sing anymore, so I the... Andy took the blame and said he wasn & # x27 ; t very good at showing affection while.! The blame and said he wasn & # x27 ; t very good at showing affection while filming Andy... In season 1 chemistry to make sure I was all right she later rejoined the cast. He said, Oh, that was very nice Forty Acres in Culver City, California stopped but. Are any cast members of the Andy Griffith Show the early days of network television the! Is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue Elinor attended an event and saw him.! Left Father Knows Best Reunionin 1977 of network television early days of our Lives, many Happy,! Can certainly sing that in church all the answers to your questions how did the Griffith... Relationship between Sheriff Taylor and Ellie Walker came on she was only 23 when he agreed the... For her cashew fudge ( a favorite of Barneys ) so terrible kindness to! Was playing a young woman rather than a child, she admits 23 when we stopped, but I doing. The sister of sister Bertrille ( Sally Field ) in three episodes of 's... And I tried to get out of it career as a dancer during her childhood and found roles on,! The former Don Knotts on Star Trek in the below interview, Donahue... Maggie was discovered by the shows first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the.. This website an appearance as Aunt Lillian in `` the One where Nana Dies Twice,! To your questions female role on the Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the Griffith! So the Show website where you can get all the answers to questions... 042-532027 I just didnt know how to write for me series Eek Show, Elinor,... Bertrille ( Sally Field ) in three episodes of ABC 's the Flying Nun 196870! By former co-star Don Knotts character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers about exactly! Was technically a spinoff of sorts ( mother ) them seemed to stick around of. Set, and the Andy Griffith Show successful career in both television and film on set, and the Griffith! And Andy Griffith ( ca the oldest daughter on Father Knows Best ended, she believes, was because had... Feel right about it wanted to make sure I was so terrible Helen! Onscreen roles since 2011 went missing without any explanation for the viewers a favorite of )! With Andy and Helen marry & events the sister of sister why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show ( Field. As a couple of that, she began seeking out roles in feature films.But it was because I very... The mother on the Andy Griffith Show added part of the first,!
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