Biography
Mary Eleanor Donahue (born April 19, 1937), credited as Elinor Donahue, is an American actress, best remembered today for playing the role of Betty Anderson, the eldest child of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt, on the 1950s American sitcom Father Knows Best. Donahue achieved stardom for her role as the elder daughter, Betty, on the television family series Father Knows Best. Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her younger brother, James "Bud" Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin a...
Known For
Complete Filmography
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault
2016
as Self
Fifty years after the original Star Trek first arrived on television, is there anything about Gene Roddenberry's space opera that hasn't been uncovere...
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
2004
as Lady Palimore
Mia Thermopolis is now a college graduate and on her way to Genovia to take up her duties as princess. Accompanied by her friend Lilly, Mia continues ...
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within
2001
as Rebecca Quinn Dickinson
When Dr. Mike and Sully travel to Boston for Colleen's graduation from medical school, they find Dr. Mike's mother terminally ill. Sully finds himself...
Dear God
1996
as Elinor Donahue
A judge gives con-man Tom Turner a choice—a jail sentence, or a year of honest work. But when he gets a job in the U.S. Post Office's dead letter offi...
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
1991
as Orphanage Woman
Just when you thought it was safe to sleep, Freddy Krueger returns in this sixth installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, as psychologist Mag...
Pretty Woman
1990
as Bridget
While on a business trip in Los Angeles, Edward Lewis, a millionaire entrepreneur who makes a living buying and breaking up companies, picks up a pros...
No Earthly Reason
1984
as Mrs. Morrison
Television short
High School U.S.A.
1983
as Mrs. Franklin
Set in a senior high school class, J.J. pursues the girlfriend of a rival from a higher clique which culminates in a race at the end of the movie betw...
Going Berserk
1983
as Margaret Anderson
John Bourgignon, a drummer-chauffeur engaged to the daughter of a United States senator, encounters a sleazy film director, the leader of an aerobics ...
Just an Overnight Guest
1983
A family takes in an abused girl and eventually decide to adopt her.
Police Story: No Margin for Error
1978
Two policemen are suspected of excessive violence and causing two deaths. The investigation brings to light, little by little, the whole truth.
Doctors' Private Lives
1978
as Mona Wise
Two heart surgeons clash over personal issues and medical ethics in a big-city hospital.
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas
1977
as Betty Anderson
The original cast of "Father Knows Best" returns for the second reunion movie. After learning that none of the children will be home for Christmas, Ji...
Dick Clark's Good Old Days
1977
Dick Clark reviews popular music of the '50s and '60s.
Mulligan's Stew
1977
as Jane Mulligan
Pilot TV-Movie for the sitcom Mulligan's Stew. Michael and Jane Mulligan have three children: Mark, Melinda and Jimmy. They find making ends meet diff...
The Father Knows Best Reunion
1977
as Betty Anderson
First of two reunion movies starring the original cast of the popular 1950's series "Father Knows Best." Jim and Margaret Anderson invite their childr...
Gidget Gets Married
1972
as Medley Blaine
Gidget finally gets married and rebels against the social caste system in her new husband's company.
In Name Only
1969
as Esther Garrity
In this romantic comedy, an unwed couple who run a wedding planning business discover, to their horror, that the Justice of the Peace who had officiat...
Girls Town
1959
as Mary Lee Morgan
Chip is killed accidentally while trying to rape a blonde girl, who runs. Silver becomes the number one suspect even though she has an alibi, but due ...
Imitation of Life
1959
as Lora's Friend
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
Love Is Better Than Ever
1952
as Pattie Marie Levoy
The dancing teacher Anastasia falls in love with the smart theatre agent Jud. He likes her, too, but does not want to give up his solo life at all. Th...
Her First Romance
1951
as Lucille Stewart
A teenager experiences her first crush while attending a summer camp. Director Seymour Friedman's 1951 film stars Margaret O'Brien, Allen Martin Jr., ...
My Blue Heaven
1950
as Mary (uncredited)
Radio star Kitty Moran, long married to partner Jack, finds she's pregnant, but miscarries. For a change, the couple turn their act into a series on e...
Tea for Two
1950
In this reworking of "No, No, Nanette," wealthy heiress Nanette Carter bets her uncle $25,000 that she can say "no" to everything for 48 hours. If she...
The Happy Years
1950
as Connie Brown
Based on a collection of stories with the focus on young John Humperkink "Dink" Stover, a student at the Lawrenceville Prepatory School, in 1896, whos...
Singing Guns
1950
as Little Girl (uncredited)
Notorious stagecoach robber Rhiannon is unintentionally appointed as deputy when he saves the sheriff's life and must wear two hats between his new jo...
An Old-Fashioned Girl
1949
as Maud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
A music teacher in 1870s Boston works hard to succeed, while her wealthy distant relatives find their fortunes turning.
Tenth Avenue Angel
1948
as Cynthia (uncredited)
Flavia's been told that her Aunt Susan's fiancé, Steve, has been on a trip around the world, but in truth he's finished his prison term. Steve wonders...
Three Daring Daughters
1948
as Alix Morgan
Three young girls try to help their divorced mother find the right husband.
The Unfinished Dance
1947
as Josie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
A young dance student accidentally cripples a teacher she doesn't like.
Winter Wonderland
1946
as Betty Wheeler
A farm girl has a romance with a ski instructor.
And Now Tomorrow
1944
as Janice
Emily Blair is rich and deaf. Doctor Vance, who grew up poor in Blairtown, is working on a serum to cure deafness which he tries on Emily. It doesn't ...
Honeymoon Lodge
1943
as Janie Thomas
Honeymoon Lodge is a musical variation on the old Awful Truth plotline. Divorce-bound Bob and Carol Sterling (David Bruce, June Vincent) make a last-d...
Mister Big
1943
as Muggsy
Students at the Davis School of the Theatre are assigned "Antigone" as their class play, but they conspire to do a swing musical instead.
Girls' Town
1942
as Bit Role (uncredited)
A West Coast version of "Stage Door", set at a Hollywood boarding house for young women hoping for movie careers.