Elinor Donahue Net Worth

August 2024 · 7 minute read

Mary Eleanor Donahue net worth is
$3 Million

Mary Eleanor Donahue Wiki Biography

Mary Eleanor Donahue, born on the 19th of April, 1937, is an American actress who became popular for her role as Betty in the TV show “Father Knows Best” during the 1950s ad ’60s.

So how much is Donahue’s net worth? As of mid 2016, authoritative sources estimate that it is over $3 million, largely acquired from her years as an actress.

Elinor Donahue Net Worth $3 million

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Donahue is the daughter of Doris Genevieve and William. As early as two years of age, she was dancing with her parents, and from that point she has been participating in various radio programs, and became a dancer in vaudeville. She also attended a ballet school, the Long’s Private School, to enhance her talent. At the age five, she was signed by Universal Studios which spotted her talent, and that became the start of her long career as an actress.

Although she was an actress as a child, her career only came into full swing when she became a teenager. Her early projects included “Love is Better than Ever”, “Three Daring Daughters”, and “Girls Town” in the late ’40s and ’50s, which early projects set up her career and started her net worth.

In 1954, Donahue’s career catapulted to success when she became part of the show “Father Knows Best”; her girl-next-door appeal became a perfect fit for her role as Betty, and soon she became a household name. She played the role for six years until the show ended in 1960. Her role not only became her ticket to success, but also considerably boosted her net worth.

After this success, Donahue joined another hit TV program, “The Andy Griffith Show.” She played the leads girlfriend but only stayed in the show for one season. She also appeared in the series “Many Happy Returns” for one season from 1964 to 1965.

The rest of the ’60s and ’70’s became a series of non-stop projects for Donahue. Some of the shows she did included “The Odd Couple” from 1972 to 1975, “Mulligan’s Stew” in 1977, and recurring roles in “The Love Boat” from 1979 to 1987, as well as in the long-running show “Days of Our Lives” from 1984 to 1985. Her various appearances maintained her career and also helped her wealth to rise.

Although she didn’t reach super-stardom, her consistency in acting made her a favourite on television and in movies even in small roles. She continued acting in the ’90’s, appearing in movies and shows like “Pretty Woman”, “Get a Life”, “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” and “Friends”.

In 1998, Donahue published a book entitled “In the Kitchen with Elinor Donahue”, in which she shared her life under the spotlight, and some of her favourite recipes.

Today, Donahue is not that active in acting but still makes some appearances. One of her last projects included a small role in “The Young and the Restless” in 2010.

In terms of her personal life, Donahue was first married to Richard Smith, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1961. After one year, she married Harry Ackerman, and they were together until his death in 1991. Today she is married to Lou Genevrino, her husband since 1992. Donahue has four children.


Full NameElinor Donahue
Net Worth$3 Million
Date Of BirthApril 19, 1937
Place Of BirthTacoma, Washington, USA
ProfessionVoice Actor
NationalityAmerican
SpouseLou Genevrino (m. 1992), Harry Ackerman (m. 1962–1991), Richard Smith (m. 1955–1961)
ChildrenChristopher Ackerman, James Ackerman, Brian Ackerman, Peter Ackerman
ParentsDoris Genevieve Donahue, Thomas William Donahue
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0231942/
AwardsTV Land Legend Award
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
MoviesThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare, Pretty Woman, Going Berserk, High School U.S.A., Love Is Better Than Ever, The Happy Years, Winter Wonderland
TV ShowsEek! The Cat, Get a Life, The New Adventures of Beans Baxter, Mulligan's Stew, The Odd Couple, The Andy Griffith Show, Father Knows Best, Many Happy Returns
#Fact
1In 1963 played character named Laura Holt in "77 Sunset Strip" starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., whose daughter Stephanie starred in "Remington Steele" in the 1980s as a character named Laura Holt.
2Performing in A.R. Gurney's play, "Love Letters", with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., October 18, 2003 at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande, California. [September 2003]
3The song "Ellie's Smile" by Jonathan Lore is a tribute to Elinor, and includes references to her career.
4Her late husband Harry Ackerman was almost 24 years her senior.
5Acting mentor was Robert Young.
6Today, those who fondly recall the archetypal 1950s family sitcom Father Knows Best (1954) may be surprised to learn that when the series debuted in 1954, the show did so poorly in the ratings that CBS canceled it in March of 1955. A flood of protests came from viewers insisting that the show be reinstated. The show was moved to an earlier time, and it gradually became a hit.
7She has four sons: Brian Ackerman, Peter Ackerman, James Ackerman and Chris Ackerman and two step-children: Susan Peterson and Stephen Ackerman.

All pictures

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Young and the Restless2010-2011TV SeriesJudge Marie Anderson
Cold Case2005TV SeriesEsther 'Legs' Davis - 2005
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement2004Lady Palimore
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Heart Within2001TV MovieRebecca Quinn Dickinson
Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story1999TV MovieMrs. Lebowitz
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman1993-1997TV SeriesRebecca Quinn
Ellen1996TV SeriesDelores Warwell
The Invaders1995TV SeriesNorma Winters
Friends1994TV SeriesAunt Lillian
Biker Mice from Mars1993TV SeriesMunsterella
Coach1993TV SeriesLorraine
The Legend of Prince Valiant1993TV SeriesQueen Eleanora
Eek!stravaganza1992-1993TV SeriesMom
Herman's Head1992TV SeriesMrs. Fitzer
Get a Life1990-1992TV SeriesGladys Peterson
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare1991Orphanage Woman
Murder, She Wrote1990TV SeriesConnie Lewis
Pretty Woman1990Bridget
Santa Barbara1989TV SeriesDr. Anderson
Generations1989TV SeriesSylvia Furth (1989)
The Golden Girls1989TV SeriesKatherine
Newhart1988TV SeriesIrma
CBS Schoolbreak Special1984-1988TV SeriesLaura Donovan / Mrs. Parsons
The New Adventures of Beans Baxter1987TV SeriesSusan Baxter
The Love Boat1979-1987TV SeriesBetty Anderson / Andrea Hammond / Mrs. van Buren / ...
Riptide1986TV SeriesElaine Warwick
Days of Our Lives1984-1985TV SeriesKate Honeycutt
Happy Days1984TV SeriesMrs. Broderick
No Earthly Reason1984TV MovieMrs. Morrison
Just an Overnight Guest1983TV ShortSocial Worker
Hotel1983TV SeriesLouise
High School U.S.A.1983TV MovieMrs. Franklin
Going Berserk1983Margaret Anderson
The Dukes of Hazzard1982TV SeriesFederal Agent
Fantasy Island1980-1981TV SeriesBlanche Barrens / Madge Nolan / Mrs. Marson
One Day at a Time1981TV SeriesFelicia
The Grady Nutt Show1981TV MovieEllie Williams
Mork & Mindy1981TV SeriesDr. Joni Lincoln
Barnaby Jones1980TV SeriesJudy Corbett
Condominium1980TV SeriesAudrey Ames
Doctors' Private Lives1979TV Mini-SeriesMona Welk
Diff'rent Strokes1979TV SeriesDiane Sloane
Please Stand By1979TV SeriesCarol Lambert
No Margin for Error1978TV Movie
Police Story1977-1978TV SeriesJoan Anderson / Camille Tackleberry
Doctors' Private Lives1978TV MovieMona Wise
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas1977TV MovieBetty Anderson
Mulligan's Stew1977TV SeriesJane Mulligan
Insight1977TV SeriesMargaret Drill
The Father Knows Best Reunion1977TV MovieBetty Anderson
The Feather and Father Gang1977TV SeriesJulie
S.W.A.T.1976TV SeriesMarjorie Kemp
Petrocelli1975TV SeriesJoan Hiller
The Odd Couple1972-1975TV SeriesMiriam Welby
The Rookies1974TV SeriesAmanda
Police Woman1974TV SeriesEllie Tarlow
If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?1974TV MovieAlice Bennett
Gidget Gets Married1972TV MovieMedley Blaine
The Flying Nun1968-1970TV SeriesDr. Jennifer Ethrington
In Name Only1969TV MovieEsther Garrity
Star Trek1967TV SeriesNancy Hedford
Occasional Wife1967TV SeriesLinda Sue
A Man Called Shenandoah1965TV SeriesJulie Wade
Many Happy Returns1964-1965TV SeriesJoan Randall
The Eleventh Hour1964TV SeriesMelanie
The Virginian1963TV SeriesCarole Cole
Redigo1963TV SeriesJoanie-Mae Kilpatrick
Dr. Kildare1963TV SeriesSharon Calloway
The United States Steel Hour1961-1963TV SeriesFran Crowell
Have Gun - Will Travel1963TV SeriesLetty Mae Stinchcomb
77 Sunset Strip1963TV SeriesLaura Holt
General Electric Theater1961TV SeriesCarol Madsen
The Andy Griffith Show1960-1961TV SeriesEllie Walker
The Brothers Brannagan1960TV SeriesKate Warren
Dennis the Menace1960TV SeriesGeorgiana Balanger
Father Knows Best1954-1960TV SeriesBetty Anderson / Donna Stuart
Goodyear Theatre1960TV SeriesConnie Peters
Girls Town1959Mary Lee Morgan
Imitation of Life1959Lora's Friend (uncredited)
U.S. Marshal1958TV SeriesMartha Watson
The Ford Television Theatre1956TV SeriesKatherine Casey
Crossroads1956TV Series
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show1956TV SeriesEmily Vanderlip Foster
Matinee Theatre1956TV Series
The Loretta Young Show1955TV SeriesJaney / Debbie Waring
Lux Video Theatre1955TV SeriesHelen Richards
Where's Raymond?1954TV Series
Sweethearts on Parade1953Student (uncredited)
Schlitz Playhouse1952TV Series
Love Is Better Than Ever1952Pattie Marie Levoy
Her First Romance1951Lucille Stewart
My Blue Heaven1950Mary (uncredited)
Tea for Two1950Lynne Smith (uncredited)
The Happy Years1950Connie Brown (uncredited)
Singing Guns1950Mike Murphy's Kid
An Old-Fashioned Girl1949Maud Shaw (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
The Arkansas Swing1948Toni MacGregor (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
Tenth Avenue Angel1948Cynthia (uncredited)
Three Daring Daughters1948Alix Morgan (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
The Unfinished Dance1947Josie (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
Little Miss Big1946Young Girl (uncredited)
Winter Wonderland1946Betty Wheeler (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
And Now Tomorrow1944Janice - Age 4 (uncredited)
Bowery to Broadway1944Young Bessie Jo (uncredited)
Honeymoon Lodge1943Janie Thomas (uncredited)
Mister Big1943Muggsy (as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
Girls' Town1942Bit Role (uncredited)

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare1991performer: "Skip To My Lou" - uncredited
Get a Life1990TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Andy Griffith Show1960-1961TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Father Knows Best1960TV Series performer - 1 episode
Three Daring Daughters1948performer: "THE DICKEY-BIRD-SONG", "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" - uncredited

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Star Trek: Inside the Roddenberry Vault2016DocumentaryHerself
Entertainment Tonight2010TV SeriesHerself
Make or Break TV2008TV Series documentaryHerself
TV Land's Top Ten2005TV Series documentaryHerself
The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards2004TV SpecialHerself
E! True Hollywood Story2000TV Series documentaryHerself
Dear God1996Herself
Our Time1985TV SeriesHerself
The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards1984TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Outstanding Comedy Series
Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour1984TV SeriesHerself - Panelist
CHiPs1980TV SeriesHerself
Battle of the Network Stars III1977TV SpecialHerself - NBC Team Captain
The Merv Griffin Show1977TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Good Old Days1977TV MovieHerself
Here's Hollywood1962TV SeriesHerself
The Juke Box Jury1959TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2004Legend AwardTV Land AwardsThe Andy Griffith Show (1960)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1959Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsBest Supporting Actress (Continuing Character) in a Comedy SeriesFather Knows Best (1954)

Known for movies


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