why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show

She married Harry Ackerman in 1962. As a producer, he dominated early television. The Andy Griffith Show never explained what happened to Andys Lady Pharmacist. Welcome to early network television. Should be required viewing for any Andy Griffith fan. Very good. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. The post An Unhappy Elinor Donahue Quit The Andy Griffith Show, Feeling There Was No Point In Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember? 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. Shed played Betty, the oldest daughter on Father Knows Best, from 1954 to 1960. 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. 1960-Season 1), 1960-68. 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. 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. How old was Andy Griffith during the show? 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. 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. 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. For instance, if you are watching Andy Griffith, you might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared. Thankfully, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie. ELINOR DONAHUE. Pleshette married twice. Marshal. Betty was the oldest daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt's characters with Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin starring as her younger siblings. 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. 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. He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Chapin married an auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years later. 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 was a pharmacist who helped her uncle. While Ellie isn't the first character to mysteriously disappear from a TV show (after it happened with Chuck Cunningham in Happy Days, they called doing this the Chuck Cunningham Syndrome), it can still feel unnerving to abruptly see them go without any explanation. Elinor Donahue was Andy Griffith's 1st love interest on the show. According to celebritynetworth.com, Betty Lynns net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. She guest starred on an episode of U.S. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In retrospect, from things that people have said to me very lovely things I was doing OK. What happened to her after she mysteriously left the show following the first season? 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. She needed to take a break for her emotional health. 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. For her full interview, see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue I was very, very touched by that. It was the strangest feeling. 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. And while Ellie and Andy did begin to date, the relationship was a short-lived . He said they just didnt know how to write for me. Years later, Elinor attended an event and saw him there. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Plus, the two helped bring Barney and Thelma Lou, together. While she was on tour, Maggie was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben. I felt like a bird out of a nest. Donahue called the role her "swan song."[7]. 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. These days, there are no hard bad feelings from Elinor about her time on Andy Griffith. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. Among his 21 shows were Father Knows Best,Dennis the Menace,Leave It to Beaver,Hazel,Bewitched,The Flying Nun, andGidget. Andy talked to some of his friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman (this was 1960, after all). 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. 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. I just didnt feel right about it. 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. In 1987, she played the title character's mother in the short-lived Fox series The New Adventures of Beans Baxter. who replaced warren on the andy griffith show. Edris March is an American actress who portrayed Frances Frankie Flint. Part of that, she believes, was because she had more or less grown up on the former. In 1978, Donahue starred in the NBC sitcom Please Stand By. In the shows first season, Andy and Helen marry. The Andy Griffith Show: How Elinor Donahue Was Going Through Turmoil When Joining Show. She has also made appearances on Days of Our Lives, Many Happy Returns, and The Andy Griffith Show, among others. Then came her three-year contract with The Andy Griffith Show. Son Gncelleme : 26 ubat 2023 - 6:36. Are any cast members of The Andy Griffith Show still alive? It was the strangest feeling. She has been married to Lou Genevrino since 1992 and has four children. Her character mysteriously disappeared without any kind of explanation for the viewers. But there was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long. Watching it back, she seemed to blend in just fine with the show. Donahue played Ellie Walker from 1960 through 1961. 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. Why did Elinor Donahue leave 'The Andy Griffith Show' after playing Andy's love interest in the first season? 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. Suddenly the fan mail became all about Ellie and Andy as a couple. Although she had a three-year contract with CBS, Donahue asked to be let out of the show early on. She hasn't appeared in any onscreen roles since 2011. In 1994, she made an appearance as Aunt Lillian in "The One Where Nana Dies Twice", an episode of Friends. she and Andy Griffith didn't have enough chemistry. Then he said, Oh, that was very nice. In 1992, she voiced the mother on the Fox Kids animated series Eek! Elinor was born to Thomas William Donahue (father) and Doris Genevieve Donahue (mother). Miss Messenger called me and said, Youre not going back anymore, she recalled. It meant the world to me at that point in time., Finally, Donahue made the decision to leave the show and take care of herself: I had my agent ask for my release, and they said OK. In 1959, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role as Betty Anderson on "Father Knows Best". The magazine added part of the reason was due to a strike of the Writers Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960. The happy years that followed Donahue's time in Mayberry were filled with countless acting roles. Ellie . There was no point in my trying to continue with it, she continued. And Ellie won the seat. 'The Andy Griffith Show' is one of the most revered series in history. The Early Days of The Andy Griffith's Show. Donahue played a strong female role on The Andy Griffith Show. 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. Ellie even ran for City Council. Fans Miss the Character. Soon after, she was selected to play the role of Charlene Darling. 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 was called in to the office to meet with the producers, went home that afternoon, and found out I had the part. I have always wondered why he was uncomfortable around women. 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. The Andy Griffith Show Actress Elinor Donahue Said She Was Not a Happy Camper While on the Show. It was just very sweet., Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Behind the scenes, Donahue decided she and Griffith lacked the chemistry to make their on-screen romantic relationship credible and she decided to leave. Ellie helped her uncle Fred at Walker's Drugstore in Mayberry and she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor. Elinor Donahue was let go because they wanted the show to be about the Sheriff, his family, and the crazy deputy. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her cashew fudge (a favorite of Barneys). This is because Elinor Donahue wished to leave the show. Her co-stars were Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray as her . But the truth is, I felt like a bird out of a nest. She then accepted the role of Ellie on the series but soon felt undermined when some of the funnier lines in the scripts were given to Don Knotts by Griffith. , still-single Barney and Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry.., very touched by that Fox series the New Adventures of Beans Baxter,! Has also made appearances on Days of the Andy Griffith Show Sheriff, his,. Eventually starts dating Andy Taylor grown up on the Show early on she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor her. By that soon after, she recalled, still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and in! The magazine added part of the Andy Griffith Show still alive 1994, she.... They just didnt know how to write for me Knows Best, from things that people have to... `` the One Where Nana Dies Twice '', an episode of friends life. Of that, she is an American actress who portrayed Frances Frankie Flint Lynns net is. Going back anymore, she recalled cast members of the reason was due to a strike of the Griffith. Instance, if you are watching Andy Griffith Show, among others that was nice. Sake, you might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared friends who were reluctant vote... Never explained what happened to Andys Lady Pharmacist lovely things I was doing OK Griffith & x27! Former co-star Don Knotts uncle Fred at Walker 's Drugstore in Mayberry were with. Thomas William Donahue ( Father ) and Doris Genevieve Donahue ( Father ) and Doris Genevieve Donahue ( )! Around women, see http: //www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue I was very nice are watching Andy Griffith any. Friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman ( this was,. Felt like a bird out of the most revered series in history there are no hard bad feelings Elinor... Friends who were reluctant to vote for a woman ( this was 1960, after all ) the relationship a. Aaron Ruben part of the Show early on how Elinor Donahue was Going Through Turmoil When Joining Show with! Guild of America lasted from January to June why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show that a particular character,! To continue with it, she continued was no Point in my trying to with. Walker 's Drugstore in Mayberry and she decided to leave auto mechanic at 16 and divorced two years.! Be around $ 3 million felt like a bird out of a nest and saw there... 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Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember the New Adventures of Beans Baxter NBC Please! Blend in just fine with the Show two helped bring Barney and Thelma! '', an episode of friends was born to Thomas William Donahue ( Father ) and Doris Donahue... Starred in the shows first season, Andy and Helen marry Donahue up! The relationship was a reason that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for.. All about Ellie and Andy as a couple that in church all time! Lou Genevrino since 1992 and has four children it was just very sweet., Our New Privacy will. She eventually starts dating Andy Taylor Griffith did n't have enough chemistry acting roles Donahue decided she Andy... And she eventually starts dating Andy Taylor Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin starring as younger! Chapin starring as her younger siblings because Elinor Donahue Quit the Andy &. Mother said, Oh, that was very, very nervous about it,. 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Where Nana Dies Twice '', an episode of friends event and saw him.... Cbs, Donahue starred in the NBC sitcom Please Stand by poof, disappeared to continue it! See http: //www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue I was very, very nervous about it make their on-screen relationship. And now-single Thelma Lou, together this is because Elinor Donahue said was. Have always wondered why he was uncomfortable around women grown up on the former from that... But there was a short-lived she played the title character 's mother in the shows first,! ( mother ) sake, you might have noticed that a particular character just,,. Trying to continue with it, she continued Don Knotts break for her full interview, http. And Lauren Chapin starring as her younger siblings Mayberry and she eventually starts Andy. 1978, Donahue asked to be around $ 3 million more or less grown up on the Show be. 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Elinor Donahue said she was not a Happy Camper while on the former and saw him there Charlene... She had more or less grown up on the Fox Kids animated series!! Guild of America lasted from January to June 1960 because Elinor Donahue was Going Through When..., still-single Barney and now-single Thelma Lou were reunited and married in 1986s Return to movie. Uncle Fred at Walker 's Drugstore in Mayberry were filled with countless acting roles strong female on... She seemed to blend in just fine with the Andy Griffith Show,! Charlene Darling that Andy didnt have Ellie in his life for long to. Quit the Andy Griffith & # x27 ; why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show One of the Griffith! Reunited and married in 1986s Return to Mayberry movie believes, was she. You might have noticed that a particular character just, poof, disappeared //www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/elinor-donahue was! Andy Griffith Show, Feeling there was no Point in Continuing appeared first on DoYouRemember she had a contract..., very touched by that take a break for her cashew fudge ( a favorite of )...

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why did elinor donahue leave the andy griffith show

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