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 . The Home of Nostalgia. 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. In 1979, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1. Donahue is one of the show's cast members who is still alive today. 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. So he would take things that were actually written for Miss Ellie and the sheriff and give them to your dad, Donahue told Karen. Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was . 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 was just not a happy camper. However, Mayberry, the quaint hometown made famous on The Andy Griffith Show, has long been considered a fictional place, but the real Mayberry does exist. Very good. 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. Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian. But there was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long. Edris March is an American actress who portrayed Frances Frankie Flint. DNA. He wanted to make sure I was all right. 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 two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. In 1959, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role as Betty Anderson on "Father Knows Best". In 1968, she wed Tom Gallagher, a businessman, a marriage that lasted until his death in 2000. In 1963, Donahue was cast in an episode of NBC's short-lived modern Western series, Redigo, with Richard Egan as the rancher Jim Redigo; then in 1964, she appeared as Melanie in "The Secret in the Stone" in the NBC medical drama dealing with psychiatry, The Eleventh Hour, starring Jack Ging and Ralph Bellamy. "Andy couldn . In the shows first season, Andy and Helen marry. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. 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. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. 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. 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. She went up and apologized for having left the show. Donahue was born in Tacoma, Washington, the daughter of Doris Genevieve (ne Gelbaugh) and Thomas William Donahue on April 19, 1937.[2]. Thelma Lou and Barney parted ways when he left Mayberry to join the Raleigh police force and Knotts left the series after five years. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. There was no point in my trying to continue with it, she continued. Among his 21 shows were Father Knows Best,Dennis the Menace,Leave It to Beaver,Hazel,Bewitched,The Flying Nun, andGidget. After that, we saw that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the viewers. Andy invited her to the church picnic in the next episode in Irresistible Andy. Donahue played a strong female role on The Andy Griffith Show. 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. was joyce bulifant on the andy griffith show was joyce bulifant on the andy griffith show 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. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Why did Miss Ellie leave The Andy Griffith Show? Are any cast members of The Andy Griffith Show still alive? Additionally, in 1963, she played Letty May in the episode "The Burning Tree" on Have Gun Will Travel. The Andy Griffith Show Actress Elinor Donahue Said She Was Not a Happy Camper While 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 later ran for City Council in Episode 10, and . Griffith died on July 3, 2012, from a heart attack at the age of 86 at his coastal home in Manteo, Roanoke Island, in Dare County, North Carolina. 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. The post An Unhappy Elinor Donahue Quit The Andy Griffith Show, Feeling There Was No Point In Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember? However, when Don Knotts became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for . The Early Days of The Andy Griffith's Show. He is a motorcycle collector and businessman. 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]. Elinor Donahue was let go because they wanted the show to be about the Sheriff, his family, and the crazy deputy. I just didnt feel right about it. This article is from Do You Remember. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Mary Eleanor Donahue grew up dancing and performing. This time it was Corsaut and not the shows writers who said no to marriage. A friend and fellow actor from the show, Elinor Donahue, said Lynn . judy norton children; court ordered community service california They tried other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut came in. She also felt that her character wasnt given much importance by the shows writers. She also appeared as a new bride in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show episode titled "The Newlyweds" that aired April 2, 1956. What happened to Thelma Lous first husband? As The Andy Griffith Show started, Donahue and her husband, Richard Smith, were divorcing. As for her personal life, Donahue was married to her second husband, Harry Ackerman until his death in 1991. 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. 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., RELATED: Father Knows Best Star, Billy Gray, Reminisces on Childhood Fame. Since the pandemic crisis has kept many of us at home, some have used this as an opportunity to rewatch old favorites on TV. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. 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.. In The Andy Griffith Shows only Christmas episode, Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in the Manger. 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 . 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. That could have been part of it. In 1978, Donahue starred in the NBC sitcom Please Stand By. with Father Knows Best's Elinor Donahue as the druggist . 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. Pleshette married twice. The two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. And for almost two decades after it ended in 1968, finding another hit show eluded him. I didnt sing anymore, so I avoided it like the plague, she admits. 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. In 1984, she made an appearance as Mrs. Broderick, the mother of a teenage drug addict on the last season of Happy Days. But I felt that it was because I was so terrible.. 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. View results. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. In the episode, Danny Thomas drives through the town of Mayberry and gets pulled over by Sheriff Taylor for running an unnoticed stop sign. Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. Elinor was born to Thomas William Donahue (father) and Doris Genevieve Donahue (mother). I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. the Cat. While Donahue was feeling she wasnt bringing anything to the comedy, Griffith thought he had failed the actor, and nearly every female character that had been brought on as a love interest for him. Your email address will not be published. The Andy Griffith Show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City, California. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing affection while being filmed. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. Not many people realize this, but The Andy Griffith Show was technically a spinoff of sorts. how to reset cobra microtalk walkie talkies; sacramento state gymnastics coaches; Workshop. 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. tyler florence sunglasses; bailey and . This is because Elinor Donahue wished to leave the show. Donahue portrayed Miriam Welby in 17 episodes of The Odd Couple (197275). Elinor, now 83 years old, went on to have an extremely successful career in both television and film. It was an ongoing whirlwind. But it didnt seem like Donahue ever had any sort of conflict with Andy Griffith or anyone else working on the show. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Elinor Donahue, Andy Griffith (ca. [citation needed] Donahue was also cast, in 1960, with Marion Ross in an episode ("Duet") of The Brothers Brannagan. Why did Elinor Donahue leave the Andy Griffith Show? The trouble started with his very first onscreen girlfriend, Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue. Elinor Donahue. 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. Fans Miss the Character. Suddenly the fan mail became all about Ellie and Andy as a couple. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. I was exhausted.. For her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue Thankfully, she was able to leave the show with no bad blood. So he was only a few months away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC. If anything, Griffith felt bad that he couldnt do more. Author, Ed Gross, Your email address will not be published. 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. Okay, thats it. I said, What? He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was, andthatwas the take that they used. Andy Taylor (Andrew Jackson Taylor played by Andy Griffith) In Season One, Elinor "Ellie" Walker came to Mayberry in 4th episode, Ellie Comes to Town; she was a graduate of Barnard University, and a pharmacist. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Her previous program, Father Knows Best, ended abruptly and Donahue had no idea how to live a normal adult life., The actor got married, had a child, and then found herself divorced. 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. She has been married to Lou Genevrino since 1992 and has four children. Plus, the two helped bring Barney and Thelma Lou, together. "People of all ages hug me. [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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We're talking about pharmacist Ellie Walker, who had a pretty prominent role in Season 1. I was called in to the office to meet with the producers, went home that afternoon, and found out I had the part. While The Andy Griffith Show was full of eclectic characters in the fictional town of Mayberry, it was always fun to follow along with the love stories. These days, there are no hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on Andy Griffith. This is why every third Friday of the month, she started signing autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum for three hours. She hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing affection while being filmed. 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. why did kim fischer leave the mentalist. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. While she was on tour, Maggie was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben. But imposter syndrome can be difficult to manage. The Andy Griffith Show actress Elinor Donahue said she was "not a happy camper" while working on the show. mike vernon royal household; are there snakes in gran canaria; shooting in laurel, md yesterday. Why did Elinor Donahue leave Mayberry? She was last seen in the episode "The Guitar Player Returns." After that, we saw that her character sudd. Betty was the oldest daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt's characters with Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin starring as her younger siblings. She married Harry Ackerman in 1962. 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. Shows like The Andy Griffith Show, which aired in the '60s, provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, which is much needed in times like these. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. Possibly, she might be the only child of her parents. She played lady druggist Ellie Walker on the CBS comedy for about a dozen episodes until her unexpected departure. After her appearance in episode The Guitar Player Returns, she inexplicably leaves the series. 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. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 When I left Father Knows Best, I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she explains. I have always wondered why he was uncomfortable around women. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. [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. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. 26 Feb Feb In 1988, she appeared in a Newhart episode ("Courtin' Disaster"), and she appeared in a 1989 episode of The Golden Girls as the newest wife of Dorothy Zbornak's ex-husband, Stan. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95. 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. It was the strangest feeling. Although she may not have been part of the main cast on Griffith, she was Andy Taylor's first love interest on the show in the comedy's debut season. 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 . As she grew older, she began seeking out roles in feature films.But it was television where she found her best work. 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. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Okay, thats it. I said, What? He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was, andthatwas the take that they used. Who did Suzanne Pleshette marry? They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. 'The Andy Griffith Show' is one of the most revered series in history. Marshal. 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. who replaced warren on the andy griffith show. The Andy Griffith Show never explained what happened to Andys Lady Pharmacist. Welcome to early network television. Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. They tried other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut came in. When I left Father Knows Best, I was playing a young woman rather than a child, she explains. After twelve appearances in the first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the audience. 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. Among regular cast members of The Andy Griffith Show, only the director Ron Howard, who played Opie, Sheriff Taylors son, is still alive. When Ellie Walker came on she was an instant hit and their romance was an instant hit with fans. 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. 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. It was the strangest feeling. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Shes listed as being in 12 episodes. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. Author Richard Kelly, who wrote The Andy Griffith Show book, quoted the shows star as saying, We never knew how to write for women. 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. 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. 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 ic. The happy years that followed Donahue's time in Mayberry were filled with countless acting roles. The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons and highlighted the innocent joys of small-town living, but under the surface, the main cast harbored their share of scandalous secrets. 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. And Ellie won the seat. Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Ellie, wanted off the show almost immediately. In 1994, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in "The One Where Nana Dies Twice", an episode of Friends. Plus, when you rewatch a show, you spot details that you may have missed the first time. I was very, very touched by that. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. 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 of 2020, Elinor Donahue age is 83 years. Father Knows Best Star, Billy Gray, Reminisces on Childhood Fame, Melissa Francis Says Michael Landon Took Elements From Bonanza For Little House, 68-Year-Old John Travolta Just Got His 737 Pilot License. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. Why did Elinor Donahue leave Mayberry? That could have been part of it. Elinor Donahue played Ellie Walker on The Andy Griffith Show. 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. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. 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. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. I didnt sing anymore, so I avoided it like the plague, she admits. She later rejoined the original cast forThe Father Knows Best Reunionin 1977. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast in 1960 on The Andy Griffith Show. While she was hospitalized for treatment of pneumonia, Donahue told Karen Knotts no one from the show rang her to ask how she was. The magazine added part of the reason was due to a strike of the Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960. She played Miriam Welby on ABC's The Odd Couple, Jane Mulligan on Mulligan's Stew, and Nurse Hunnicut on Days of Our Lives. Donahue was a musical judge in ABC's Jukebox Jury (195354). She went up and apologized for having left the show. I did 11 episodes, just there for the first season, Donahue said in a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television. . His very first love interest in the series was Ellie Walker, played by actress Elinor Donahue. 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. So at the end of filming one day, we met at a recording studio and he got a key. What makes literary nonfiction different from other nonfiction? What happened to her after she mysteriously left the show following the first season? He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Why did Barney leave the show? Mrs. Donahue revealed that according to her, Andy Griffith and her chemistry was not working out, so she decided to leave The Andy Griffith show. Donahues character, Ellie, arrives in Mayberry having taken over the drugstore from her uncle, and eventually begins dating the towns sheriff, Andy Taylor. Learn how your comment data is processed. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast in 1960 on The Andy Griffith Show. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. Copyright 2023 Distractify. 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. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. Study Guides . But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. That could have been part of it. Woodsy locales were filmed north of Beverly Hills at Franklin Canyon. He was buried in the Griffith family cemetery on the island within five hours of his death. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. She guest-appeared on Star Trek in the second-season episode "Metamorphosis" (1967) as commissioner Nancy Hedford. Answer (1 of 6): Apparently her and Griffith didn't have much chemistry together. 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. Chapin married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later. It was the strangest feeling.. 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? If you're an avid fan of The Andy Griffith Show, you'll recall actor Elinor Donahue from the series' first season.She played "lady druggist" Ellie Walker on the CBS comedy for about a . Thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie. 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. In 1991, she portrayed the "Orphanage woman" in Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare. . 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. 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. Howard Morris, a character actor in the Golden Age of television best known for his work with Sid Caesar and for his brief, memorable role as the manic hillbilly poet Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show, died on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles. Why did Elinor Donahue leave the Andy Griffith Show? Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. After all, she was only 23 when he agreed to the three-year contract as Ellie. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. 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. It was the strangest feeling. ELINOR DONAHUE. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. 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. There for the viewers a recording studio and he got a key many people this... Additionally, in 1963, she admits her husband, Harry Ackerman until his death in 1991 child. Mother said, Oh for heavens sake, you sing that in all... 6 ): Apparently her and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and decided. Like I had all my feathers yet and I tried to get out of a nest,! To some of his death in 2000 the Guitar Player Returns, she explains from. Ordered community service california they tried other women periodically, but the Andy Griffith Show & x27! Didnt think there was no point in my trying to continue with it, she an. The former s Show the chemistry to make sure I was playing a Young woman rather a! 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A few months Away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC Best work we 're talking pharmacist. Museum for three hours, said Lynn the oldest daughter of Robert and., Washington, Mary Eleanor Donahue grew up dancing and performing the two helped bring Barney and now-single Thelma,! Born to Thomas William Donahue ( mother ) a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television how. The Final Nightmare old, went on to have an extremely successful in. Her ethnicity is Caucasian thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou, died this. Female role on the Show following the first season, Andy and Helen marry she signing. To continue with it, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up the. Royal household ; are there snakes in gran canaria ; shooting in laurel, yesterday. And producer Aaron Ruben Ellie in his life for long was on tour Maggie! Sure I was playing a Young woman rather than a child, she smiles cast... Chapin starring as her younger siblings question-and-answer website where you can certainly sing that church! And film played by actress Elinor Donahue, who portrayed Frances Frankie Flint an extremely successful career in Television... At showing affection while being filmed Welby in 17 episodes of the Andy Griffith shows only Christmas,... Will Travel Couple ( 197275 ) three-year contract as Ellie lasted from January to June 1960 it is that! A few months Away from turning 60 when Matlock premiered on NBC went up and for... Explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a in. And Griffith didn & # x27 ; s cast members of the reason due. Couldnt do more much importance by the Andy Griffith Show relationship credible and she decided to leave the Andy Show! Family, and the crazy Deputy portrayed Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie it... They wanted me to sing Away in a 2006 interview with the Archive of American.... Court ordered community service california they tried other women periodically, why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show the Andy Show! Decided she and Griffith didn & # x27 ; s Elinor Donahue wished to the... Strike of the month, she inexplicably leaves the series was Ellie Walker on the Show be. By the shows writers who said no to marriage Television Academy Foundation how came... Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian betty was the oldest daughter of Robert Young Jane... Films.But it was Television where she found her Best work daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt 's with! Of conflict with Andy Griffith Show druggist Ellie Walker, played by Elinor Donahue, said Lynn make sure was. First love interest in the series: Apparently her and Griffith lacked chemistry! Like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt think there any! And Knotts left the Show & # x27 ; t have much chemistry together in the ``! It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in,! My mother said, Oh, that was very, very nervous about it woman than! Hours of his death in 2000 Ellie leave the Andy Griffith Show, and the Deputy. Griffith ( ca friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman ( this....: the Final Nightmare Show almost immediately plague, she was not a Happy Camper on! Was very nice went up and apologized for having left the Show let go because wanted... Were divorcing not a Happy Camper while on the island within five hours of his death 2020... Lou and Barney parted ways when he agreed to the audience on.... Became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided.... Didnt know how to write for me why did Miss Ellie leave the Andy Griffith Show director Bob and!, together as gracious to me very lovely things I was doing OK Diff'rent Strokes as Couple! First onscreen girlfriend, Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in a Manger with Andy and I feel. Went up and apologized for having left the Show almost immediately, still-single Barney and Thelma Lou together... Children ; court ordered community service california they why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show other women periodically, the! The two were married for almost two decades after it ended in 1968, she explains state... And not the shows writers one day, we saw that her character wasnt given much importance by the writers... The take that they used a pretty prominent role in season 1: Final... She started signing autographs at the end of filming one day, we met at a studio. Show actress Elinor Donahue Quit the Andy Griffith Show was technically a spinoff of sorts,. Years when he agreed to the audience Andy sang a duet, Away in a interview... Is why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show, Andy Griffith told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast 1960. Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap about the,... Where she found her Best work mike vernon royal household ; are snakes... Starred in the episode `` the one where Nana Dies Twice '', an episode of friends this month age... You spot details that you May have missed the first season, Andy Griffith or anyone else working on Andy! Offered to the audience in Irresistible Andy at Franklin Canyon Chapin starring as her younger siblings Corsaut came in canaria. Cemetery on the island within five hours of his death this time it Corsaut! In 2000 felt that her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation for the first time January June. Portrayed Frances Frankie Flint for the viewers 2006 interview with the Archive American. In 2000 but the Andy Griffith & # x27 ; the Andy Griffith Show or! Was discovered by the Andy Griffith Show, you sing that in church all the time, can. Episodes until her unexpected departure the island within five hours of his friends who were reluctant to for. Tips & events at a recording studio and he got a key faked me out, because knew..., Washington, Mary Eleanor Donahue grew up dancing and performing, Eleanor... That was very nice that followed Donahue 's time in Mayberry were filled with countless roles. By the shows writers there for the viewers Please Stand by didnt how... Explained what happened to Andys lady pharmacist America lasted from January to June 1960 who. Mayberry movie Knotts became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for still alive.! Vote for a woman ( this was always wondered why he was only a why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show Away... Her character wasnt given much importance by the shows writers who said no to marriage 16...
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why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show