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!
Kylie Jenner Is Criticized for Piercing Her Daughter’s Ears
Piercing a baby’s ears has always sparked debate, with people divided on its safety and ethics. While some see it as a harmless tradition or a personal choice, others worry about consent, health risks, and the child’s autonomy. The controversy flared up when celebrity influencer Kylie Jenner posted a photo of her daughter, Stormi Webster, with pierced ears. This picture led to widespread discussion and criticism, once again bringing attention to the ongoing debate about piercing babies’ ears.
Lots of babies around the world get their ears pierced, but it’s the earlobes of famous babies that get people talking online about whether it’s safe for little ones to wear jewelry. When her daughter Stormi Webster was five months old, Kylie shared a picture of her lying on a bed in a softly lit pink room. Followers noticed the tiny studs in Stormi’s ears, which were barely visible but still caught their attention.
Jenner is used to social media controversies, but the criticism about her young daughter and parenting skills is particularly harsh this time. Some strongly argue against piercing a baby’s ears, while others call Jenner “cruel” and “thoughtless.” “Is she going to start putting big earrings in her [ears] now [they’re] pierced? A [baby’s] ear is still forming and growing at that age,” one user wrote. “Piercing a babies ears!!!! @kyliejenner be ashamed of yourself. This is utterly disgraceful,” another follower commented.
Although getting a baby’s ears pierced is usually seen as safe, doctors warn about the risk of infections. Some suggest waiting until your baby is around 4 months old. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t have a clear rule on when it’s best to pierce ears. They recommend waiting until a child can take care of the piercing themselves, but they don’t say no to piercing babies.
Kylie Jenner and her former partner Travis Scott gained notice for their unique parenting style. Travis revealed that they give their toddler Stormi a lot of independence. He mentioned they let Stormi choose her bedtime, deciding whether she wants to sleep at the usual time or stay up later. Stormi consistently chooses bedtime, which surprises many parents who appreciate her commitment to a good sleep routine.
Some parents think piercing their baby’s ears heals faster when they’re young. Others believe it’s important to respect their child’s autonomy and find piercing without consent unethical. Although tiny earrings might look cute, they can be dangerous for babies, causing injuries during play or even choking hazards.
Preview photo credit kyliejenner / Instagram
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