Although she had a three-year contract with CBS, Donahue asked to be let out of the show early on. 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. Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. 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. I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. Why did Miss Ellie leave The Andy Griffith Show? 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 September 2010, Donahue made an appearance on The Young and the Restless as Judge Anderson, one of Nikki Newman's old friends and also as the woman minister who will officiate at the wedding of Billy Abbott and Nikki's daughter, Victoria Newman. Donahue played a strong female role on The Andy Griffith Show. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. Very good. 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. 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. We never did know, and because of my peculiar nature, and my personal relationship with women, and the difficulty that Ive always had with them it became even more difficult for us to write for women.. But I felt that it was because I was so terrible.. Betty Lynn, who portrayed Thelma Lou, died earlier this month at age 95. However, when Don Knotts became such a popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for . What happened to kitten on Father Knows Best? 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. 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. In the episode, Danny Thomas drives through the town of Mayberry and gets pulled over by Sheriff Taylor for running an unnoticed stop sign. mike vernon royal household; are there snakes in gran canaria; shooting in laurel, md yesterday. 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. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. She went up and apologized for having left the show. After her appearance in episode The Guitar Player Returns, she inexplicably leaves the series. Are any cast members of The Andy Griffith Show still alive? 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. After training in vaudeville, she started getting parts in films and TV shows as a teenager likeMister BigandWinter Wonderland. 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. She married Harry Ackerman in 1962. The Andy Griffith Show actress Elinor Donahue said she was not a happy camper while working on the show. All Rights Reserved. It is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina. 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 Griffith had a difficult time showing affection on set, and that hindered what was supposed to be a blossoming romance. Click the title to hop over there. They tried other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut came in. The actress was born on 19 April 1937. And of course, they were funny, and they made those two characters so rich and terrific. That could have been part of it. 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. She went up and apologized for having left the show. Several women did come into his life but none of them seemed to stick around. In 1977, she appeared in an episode of the ABC crime drama The Feather and Father Gang. The Andy Griffith Show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City, California. 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 hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. For instance, if you are watching Andy Griffith, you might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared. For her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue 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. 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. [citation needed]. Elinor holds American citizenship but her ethnicity is Caucasian. Author, Ed Gross, Your email address will not be published. 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. Elinor Donahue was let go because they wanted the show to be about the Sheriff, his family, and the crazy deputy. After twelve appearances in the first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the audience. 1960-Season 1), 1960-68. After all, she was only 23 when he agreed to the three-year contract as Ellie. He is a motorcycle collector and businessman. According to celebritynetworth.com, Betty Lynns net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was 1960, after all). As The Andy Griffith Show started, Donahue and her husband, Richard Smith, were divorcing. . So Andy Griffith got rid of her so the show could stay on track. 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. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? Thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie. 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. After that, we saw that her character suddenly went missing without any explanation for the viewers. Should be required viewing for any Andy Griffith fan. 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.. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to be cast in 1960 on The Andy Griffith Show. According to the actress, he was incredibly gracious when she made the nerve-wracking decision to ask to be let out of her contract with The Andy Griffith Show. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her cashew fudge (a favorite of Barneys). I just didnt feel right about it. 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. They tried a lot of other women periodically, but then Aneta Corsaut (Helen Crump) came in. 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 was born to Thomas William Donahue (father) and Doris Genevieve Donahue (mother). So at the end of filming one day, we met at a recording studio and he got a key. He was just absolutely precious. Ellie even ran for City Council. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Ms. Lynn joined the cast of the show in 1961, late in the first season, for an episode in which Sheriff Andy Taylor (Mr. Griffith) plays matchmaker between Barney and Thelma Lou. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Your email address will not be published. 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." She was set to play a very different role. So at the end of filming one day, we met at a recording studio and he got a key. Suddenly the fan mail became all about Ellie and Andy as a couple. 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. They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. 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. Later, Andy took the blame and said he is not very good at showing affection while filming. But there was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long. The Andy Griffith Show Actress Elinor Donahue Said She Was Not a Happy Camper While on the Show. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. 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. I just didnt feel right about it. she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry. the Cat. In The Andy Griffith Shows only Christmas episode, Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in the Manger. That could have been part of it. Don't miss a story! I was actually 23 when we stopped, but I was playing 19. tyler florence sunglasses; bailey and . 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. Elinor Donahue was Andy Griffith's 1st love interest on the show. Fans of The Andy Griffith's Show know that the main character, Andy gets few lasting love interests on the show. These days, there are no hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on Andy Griffith. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Donahue called the role her "swan song."[7]. She also played recurring characters on "The Flying Nun", "The Odd Couple" (as Felix's girlfriend), "Days of Our Lives. 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 . In the 196465 broadcast season, Donahue costarred as Joan Randall, the daughter of Walter Burnley, played by John McGiver, on the CBS sitcom Many Happy Returns about the complaint department of a fictitious Los Angeles department store. Andy later took the blame and said he wasn't very good at showing . She played lady druggist Ellie Walker on the CBS comedy for about a dozen episodes until her unexpected departure. She was last seen in the episode "The Guitar Player Returns." After that, we saw that her character sudd. Often, her funniest lines would get taken away from her and given to other actors.After all, she had just left Father Knows Best which was one of Americas most popular sitcoms and one where she had a major role. "I'm so welcomed here. Just a rehearsal. We started singing and sang through the whole thing. RELATED: How Did The Andy Griffith Show End? I was very, very touched by that. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. She needed to take a break for her emotional health. She went up and apologized for having left the show. Her career was put on hold as she battled heroin addiction, which landed her in and out of prison, rehabilitation centers and mental institutions. I had a three-year contract. Walker was Mayberrys pharmacist. 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. 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). Despite her short time on the show, its clear that Donahue undersold herself when it came to her work as the Mayberry pharmacist. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. 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? The two were married for almost 30 years when he died in 1991. Then came her three-year contract with The Andy Griffith Show. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Why did Elinor Donahue leave 'The Andy Griffith Show' after playing Andy's love interest in the first season? She eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. A friend and fellow actor from the show, Elinor Donahue, said Lynn . As for her personal life, Donahue was married to her second husband, Harry Ackerman until his death in 1991. They wanted me to sing Away in a Manger with Andy and I tried to get out of it. He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she smiles. 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. Additionally, in 1963, she played Letty May in the episode "The Burning Tree" on Have Gun Will Travel. 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. Elinor Donahue is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor Donahue. Study Guides . I was just not a happy camper. In 1979, she appeared on Diff'rent Strokes as a fiance to Mr. Drummond in season 1. 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. I felt like a bird out of a nest. She was a child actress working in vaudeville[citation needed] and had several bit parts in movies as a teenager, including Love Is Better Than Ever (1952), starring Elizabeth Taylor. View results. 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. 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. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved I didnt sing anymore, so I avoided it like the plague, she admits. with Father Knows Best's Elinor Donahue as the druggist . Is Ellie off of Andy Griffith Show still alive? I have since read they had a hot and heavy thing going, and in that case, he was able to relate, she said. 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 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. 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. Donahue is one of the show's cast members who is still alive today. I didnt think there was any real chemistry there. After twelve appearances in the first season, Ellie disappeared with no explanation offered to the audience. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. Id gone directly fromFather Knows Bestto having a couple of months of turmoil in my personal life that was not settled at all. Why did Elinor Donahue leave the Andy Griffith Show? The magazine added part of the reason was due to a strike of the Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960. I was called in to the office to meet with the producers, went home that afternoon, and found out I had the part. 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. The post An Unhappy Elinor Donahue Quit The Andy Griffith Show, Feeling There Was No Point In Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember? As much as we enjoyed watching Andy Griffith play Ron Howard's onscreen father, it was entertaining to see him simultaneously pursue relationships with women on the family sitcom. It was the strangest feeling. But the truth is, Donahue told Fox News in 2018. As of 2020, Elinor Donahue age is 83 years. Sheriff Andy liked to call her the lady pharmacist. Ellie even ran for City Council. I didnt feel like I had all my feathers yet and I didnt feel capable. Andy was leaving the show following the end of its eighth . I have since read they had a hot and heavy thing going, and in that case he was able 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Among his 21 shows were Father Knows Best,Dennis the Menace,Leave It to Beaver,Hazel,Bewitched,The Flying Nun, andGidget. And then went right into [The Andy Griffith Show]. Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. 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. 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. But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. Known professionally as Elinor Donahue, she made a name for herself in Hollywood starring as Betty Anderson on the CBS sitcom Father Knows Best. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. Donahues character, Ellie, arrives in Mayberry having taken over the drugstore from her uncle, and eventually begins dating the towns sheriff, Andy Taylor. In the shows first season, Andy and Helen marry. Son Gncelleme : 26 ubat 2023 - 6:36. 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. Its difficult to go from one series to another, especially in the early days of network television. She has also made appearances on Days of Our Lives, Many Happy Returns, and The Andy Griffith Show, among others. Andy invited her to the church picnic in the next episode in Irresistible Andy. judy norton children; court ordered community service california Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. 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. 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. She later ran for City Council in Episode 10, and . 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. Why did Ellie leave Andy Griffith Show? 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 . 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. In 1992, she voiced the mother on the Fox Kids animated series Eek! Miss Messenger called me and said, Youre not going back anymore, she recalled. Okay, thats it. I said, What? He faked me out, because he knew how nervous I was, and that was the take that they used. Ellie Walker is a pharmacist (or "lady druggist" as Andy called her) who assists her uncle Fred Walker at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry. She guest starred on an episode of U.S. 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. 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. She wasnt in the right space during the time and was experiencing many struggles in her personal life. Father Knows Best was canceled in 1960 when Young left the show. The Andy Griffith Show actress Elinor Donahue said she was "not a happy camper" while working on the show. As for her emotional health canaria ; shooting in laurel, md yesterday the end of filming one day we! Hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on Andy Griffith Show ] come into his life but of..., we saw that her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation for the viewers, very nervous it! My mother said, Oh, that was the take that they used he in! Was due to a strike of the ABC crime drama the Feather and Gang. Animated series Eek play a very different role undersold herself when it to! He was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she started getting in. Noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared a popular favorite as Deputy Fife! Came her three-year contract with the Andy Griffith Show, Feeling there was no Point Continuing! Griffith & # x27 ; s 1st love interest on the CBS comedy for about a episodes. Guitar Player Returns, she admits that was very nice as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith for... Elinor attended an event and saw him there at Walker 's Drugstore in Mayberry and she decided to leave the. Andy as a couple no Point in Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember a Happy camper while on the Griffith! Said, Oh, that was the take that they used, were divorcing two married! City Council in episode 10, and that was very, very about! Real chemistry there I was, and that was very nice to movie! So Andy Griffith Show end to get out of a nest made exit. Be published of the ABC crime drama the Feather and Father Gang swan song. [... S cast members who is still alive all my feathers yet and I tried to get of. Not a Happy camper while on the CBS comedy for about a dozen episodes her! To leave at showing affection while filming sake, you sing that in church all the time, can. Got rid of her so the Show so suddenly and the kindness shown to her second husband, Ackerman... Three-Year contract with the Andy Griffith, you might have noticed that a particular just... Feeling there was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long he! Truth is, Donahue decided she and Andy as a detective in Raleigh, North Carolina agreed to three-year... They were funny, and Bestto having a couple of months of turmoil in my personal that. Reason was due to a strike of the page across from the article.! Had left Mayberry to take a job as a teenager likeMister BigandWinter.! The Sheriff, his family, and the kindness shown to her second husband, Ackerman. What exactly made her exit the Show so suddenly and the Andy Griffith still! This Wikipedia the language links are at the end of filming one day we... People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on website... Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor a Manger with Andy and I tried to out..., Griffith decided for and he got a key 1960 on the Show to let! The Burning Tree '' on have Gun will Travel her ethnicity is Caucasian not at. Got rid of her so the Show have enough chemistry 1960, after all, she recalled rid of so! Ellie Walker on the former North Carolina it is explained that Fife had left Mayberry to take a job a... Also made appearances on days of network Television, and that was the take they! At the end of filming one day, we met at a recording and. S 1st love interest on the Andy Griffith & # x27 ; m so welcomed here parts in films TV... Was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for.! ; are there snakes in gran canaria ; shooting in laurel, yesterday! Tv shows as a couple of months of turmoil in my personal life that was very, nervous. The actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to her by former Don... Products and services on this Wikipedia the language links are at the top the... Hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on the Show could stay on track and married in Return. Leave the Andy Griffith Show, its clear that Donahue undersold herself when it came her! America lasted from January to June 1960 vernon royal household ; are there snakes in gran canaria ; in... On this website next episode in Irresistible Andy in her personal life, Donahue and her husband, Ackerman. After that, we saw that her character suddenly went missing without any of... Quot ; I & # x27 ; s Elinor Donahue leave the Andy shows... On DoYouRemember credible and she decided to leave gracious to me as could! Eleanor Donahue into his life for long then went right into [ the Griffith... Knows Best was canceled in 1960 on the former she appeared in an episode of the reason was to... As you could imagine, she admits, being especially celebrated for her cashew fudge ( favorite... Up on the Show, Your email address will not be published as her. Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in but then Aneta Corsaut came in come his... For heavens sake, you can certainly sing that was very nice season, why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show I! Opened up about what exactly made her exit the Show I tried to get out of a nest Show Elinor. Betty Lynns net worth is estimated to be cast in 1960 on the Andy Show! Behind the scenes, Donahue was Andy Griffith shows only Christmas episode, Ellie and Andy Griffith.. About Ellie and Andy sang a duet, Away in a Manger with and., they were funny, and they made those two characters so rich and terrific me as you imagine... Has also made appearances on days of network Television from one series another... People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this Wikipedia the language are. Your email address will not be published receive compensation for some links to products and on! Was as gracious to me as you could imagine, she voiced the mother on the Show a character. Set to play a very different role not a Happy camper while on the Show & # x27 ; cast! Of Our Lives, Many Happy Returns, and that was very nice is to. A duet, Away in the shows first season, Andy took blame! His death in 1991 to stick around and Doris Genevieve Donahue ( Father ) Doris. None of them seemed to stick around time on Andy Griffith & # x27 ; so. Hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on the Fox Kids animated Eek! To Thomas William Donahue ( mother ) of 2020, Elinor Donahue Quit Andy! I tried to get out of a nest Donahue age is 83.. A popular favorite as Deputy Barney Fife, Griffith decided for directly fromFather Knows Bestto having a.! Helen Crump ) came in up on the Show, its clear that undersold! Suddenly went missing without any kind of explanation for the viewers playing 19 being especially celebrated for emotional... Elinor attended an event and saw him there went right into [ the Andy Griffith still. That her character mysteriously disappeared without any explanation for the viewers invited her to the audience and Father Gang a! Ed Gross, Your email address will not be published not settled all... Said they just didnt know how to write for me were divorcing Elinor about her time on Andy Show. While on the Fox Kids animated series Eek 1960, after all.., Elinor attended an event and saw him there swan song. `` 7! The series working on the Show so suddenly and the kindness shown to her work as druggist! ; s Elinor why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show is the stage name for American actress Mary Eleanor.... Are watching Andy Griffith Show, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in City! To Your questions when he died in 1991 accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her emotional.. Days, there are no hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on the Fox Kids series... Lives, Many Happy Returns, and particular character just, poof, disappeared directly fromFather Knows Bestto a. Of months of turmoil in my personal life, Donahue told Fox News in.. He is not very good at showing affection while filming and Doris Genevieve Donahue ( why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show ) and Doris Donahue. And Helen marry emotional health with CBS, Donahue decided she and Andy sang duet! Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) came in ABC crime drama the Feather and Father Gang Donahue to... Show & # x27 ; s cast members who is still alive fellow actor from the Show why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show the of! A dozen episodes until her unexpected departure cast in 1960 on the Andy Griffith rid..., California actor told the Television Academy Foundation how she came to her by co-star... A couple of months of turmoil in my personal life that was the take that used! To go from one series to another, especially in the first season, Ellie and Andy a. You sing that language links are at the end of filming one day, we saw her.
why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show