Elinor Donahue Finally Reveals Why She Left the Andy Griffith Show

[@FactsVerse]

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[@diananutt1517]

Eleanor is a fine actress in her own right, but Aneta seemed to be the perfect fit as Andy's love interest.

[@shaystern2453]

smurfshak sucks

[@markhowell6601]

@@diananutt1517 Helen Crump was my least favorite of Andy’s love interest and I’m not the only one that feels that way.

[@diananutt1517]

@@markhowell6601 Yes, I've seen that in the comment section more than once. Anytime Andy so much as stood in the same room with a pretty girl (or even those 2 goofy blondes!) the green-eyed monster would grab hold of Helen. But that was just what was written for her. Pretty much everyone was made to behave badly at some time. I thought Helen was beautiful and that she and Andy had very natural relaxed chemistry. Not surprised they actually had a loving relationship in real life.

[@charlesnott4564]

@@diananutt1517 qqqqqqlllqqq Qq

[@lorenzoalmendarez8506]

I loved her right from the start. She's a fine actor and I hoped she would have stayed a few more years on the show.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to see that there's another Elinor Donahue fan and we definitely agree that she's a fine actress ♥

[@paulyricca3881]

🥃👴🏻 SHE A ACTRESS NOT A ACTOR

[@buddyclements8457]

Absolutely would have loved for Ellie to have continued on for years on the AG Show! Eleanor is a tremendous talent and truly an American Icon!

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@kathleengruen6027]

Hi Buddy! ⬆️. I too would have loved for Ellie to have remained on AG! I was also very happy to hear that her leaving wasn’t because she was a terrible person, or the cast was was mean. And The AG Show STILL makes me happy! XO

[@janetcrane59]

I would have rather seen her on the show than Helen Crump. She was always crabby & hardly ever smiled. My least favorite character .

[@markhowell6601]

@@janetcrane59 There are many fans of the Andy Griffith show that feels the same way as you, including myself.

[@beagledog2001]

@@FactsVerse thank you!

[@dutchvandermak4581]

Ellie was one of my favorite characters. She was funny, very pretty and talented. I was disappointed that she left the show.

[@patfromamboy]

She was very pretty, her smile was amazing.

[@markbarret6836]

Hello Doll! She was no fun girl!

[@ThundermansThunder]

I agree, she had such a way about her! I was so disappointed that she left that show, too! She could be warm and funny while retaining a level of dignity and class, a combination that seems impossible to find these days, one of the reasons why I tend to favor older sitcoms and over more modern.

[@RoySimonetti-zp7jv]

​@@patfromamboy3:04

[@weylguy]

I developed a crush on Elinor Donahue at the age of 12 in 1961 while watching syndicated reruns of Father Knows Best. The show idealized a family that I wished I had, although I realize today it was completely unrealistic. Now I'm 73 while Donahue is pushing 85, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for her. Wherever you are today, may God bless you, beautiful lady!

[@michaelhester1328]

same as me 72

[@FactsVerse]

Thank you for sharing a part of your life. We're glad to know that you're a fan of Elinor. May she find peace 🙏

[@richardthompson9836]

73 here too! I wished back then that I could find a girlfriend like her. She captured my heart. What a fond childhood memory. Thank you.

[@martinjaramillo2429]

Im 49 and had the same crush on the same girl from the same show, reruns in the early 80s beauty is timeless

[@josephkrupp7430]

I guess there are a lot of preteen boys that had a crush on Elinor Donahue. Yep, I am 73 also.

[@billmoss2877]

She added a sense of depth and soul, class and grounding to a show that has come down to us as more than merely a situation comedy but very often a life's lesson. She was and is a treasure.

[@gregwatson8219]

Watch season one carefully. Andy isnt sure any woman right for him or Opie

[@gregwatson8219]

Peggy tried too hard.

[@gregwatson8219]

Once Helen Crump moved in Mayberry, Opie growing fast, Andy trusts him to make a few dcisions for himself and as he told Barney, Im lonely sometimes.

[@gregwatson8219]

Had Ron Howard not been cast as Opie. i think Andy Helen fukd like dogs. just as they did in real life!

[@jimkirk4357]

A real shame. Not just a pretty face but an extraordinarily appealing voice. She shined every moment on screen. I vividly remember her and even her name rolls easily off the tongue. ♥

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for watching our content. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@kenkleiser8674]

I remember the Christmas show when she sang Away In A Manger. With Andy harmonizing. Still classic !!!

[@LawandaFinch]

@@kenkleiser8674 That was a great one.

[@gregwatson8219]

Mmmmmm

[@gregwatson8219]

Back then. women did not shave!

[@conuregirl007]

Oh yes! I adored Elinor Donahue on the Andy Griffith show! I always loved the episodes that she was in. I was disappointed when she wasn't there anymore.

[@nedcovell4051]

She was my favorite. You couldn’t help but like her. Glad she is doing well.

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@gregwatson8219]

Great as Dr Quinn virgin older sister

[@Way_Truth]

Yes. Elsinore made a lasting impression as the pharmacist on the Andy Griffith Show. It was strange to suddenly have her disappear. Another role late in her career was the kind sales lady to Julia Roberts as “Pretty Woman”.

[@beagledog2001]

I absolutely loved her character. I really hated that she was gone so soon and I always kind of wondered how that happened and why. Good to have this information now! How lovely and sweet, knowing that Don knotts was a supportive friend, on and off the screen, and that he called her now and then to check on her and see how she was doing. From what I have read about him, I wouldn't have expected anything else, I've always heard he was such a nice guy.

[@theyangview1898]

He had a reputation as a cocksman

[@lindawalsh6452]

@Faye Enke BrianDavisand

[@kellidinit3725]

My dad had a room at a small hotel in Virginia right next to a room Don Knotts was in. They spoke here and there in the lobby and my dad said he really was one of the nicest people you’d ever wanna meet. This was way back when the show was still on.

[@jimmyz2098]

Ellie Walker, The Lady Drugist, was my very first crush. Boy I loved her! I was a little kid, and just seeing her on the re-runs... and she was something else. Still one of my all-time favorites, to this day. What a wonderful and elegant Lady.

[@mssuzieq312]

I wish Ellie had never left The Andy Griffith Show. She was my favorite character! Today my daughter and I only watch the first season. After that with the exception here and there the episodes became dull to me. None of the girlfriends fit in the way Ellie did including Helen Crump. Ellie was just as important as any of the main characters. I still miss her! I loved Walkers Drug Store. Ellie was funny without any other lines. It’s the best show on TV even today. It’s so real to life. The characters didn’t seem to be acting. There were all so natural. Ellie was so good that I forgot she was Betty, another favorite character. What I really didn’t like is why it never explained why she left..we didn’t get closure. It was almost like a death.. Love you Ellie!!

[@FactsVerse]

Happy to know that you and your daughter are still watching! Thank you for sharing a part of your life. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@gracegirl3]

Yes, very sad and disappointing her absence was never explained and no one else was as good a girlfriend as she was!

[@clintwalker6389]

Beautiful woman,but life is so much more than TV.

[@biketech60]

I loved her on Father Knows Best and decades later was thrilled to find her playing opposite Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" as a knowing, sympathetic older sales lady . The thing is , for me , in seeing those two ladies together I saw a different pretty woman than the script intended . But I am nearing 75 . Elegance is never out of style .

[@winstonmccollum8992]

It's a shame that she didn't remain on the show..........She was 50 times more appealing than Helen or any of the other love interests for Andy on the show......and she was the best thing about Father Knows Best, and she could deliver a comic line with the best of them.

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@joelangford7601]

Agreed. Of Andy's love interests, Eleanor was far and away the most appealing and interesting . Joanna Moore was also very appealing. The Helen Crump character never worked for me. She came across as an angry and unattractive. The script writers did her no favors.. Thelma Lou, on the other hand, was absolutely fabulous. Perhaps my favorite of all. I would have Andy with Ellie, and Barney with Thelma Lou.

[@Hopeful62]

I couldn’t stand the character of Helen. I watch season one pretty much only.

[@robertacolarette1594]

You’re right. I never understood why she was not going to be Andy’s love interest. She was so much better than Helen including acting-wise. Joanna Moore was good too. But Ellie should have been it.

[@brentbrady7865]

I did like Peggy the Nurse tho too.

[@crossknight29field24]

She shined even though they didn't give her the line she felt she should have. She brought life to the show, when I started watching the show in high school back in the seventies I never know the store appreciated that until the last 8 years or so my favorite episodes involve her irresistible Andy and then when she enters the town as the new pharmacist. She just exudes wholesome vibes and life. The show would have maybe taken that little different twist if they had gotten married but I think it would have been a good one. Will never know but we have those episodes with her in it.

[@carlosbarrea-martinez-dyer311]

She was always lovely and memorable.

[@ryankelly5308]

She is one of the reasons why the first season of AG is my favorite. I hate that she left.

[@FactsVerse]

Us too! Do you think it was a smart move that she left?

[@terrybuckalew6874]

@@FactsVerse It sounds like she wanted to be a lead character and didn't want to be anything else

[@jayedwards1205]

The first year was by far the worst ...years 3 and 4 were undoubtably the best ...Donahue was fired because she and her character were a terrible fit for Mayberry ...

[@terrybuckalew6874]

@@jayedwards1205 she was fired on her interview she said she left cause they weren't a good match didn't know she was fired wow

[@jayedwards1205]

She didn’t return for the second season ...she was told it wasn’t working out ...everyone has been nice about it , but the fact is she and her character were a terrible fit for the show , so she wasnt retained . It’s painful to watch the first season with this totally misplaced character

[@emale03]

She is an extremely uniquely beautiful and talented actress who made the Andy Griffith show more interesting.

[@FactsVerse]

We strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@robertnewberry5886]

America's Sweetheart. Possibly one of the best actors on the show. Loved by everyone.

[@FactsVerse]

We strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@mylesalford1585]

I would have loved to have seen more of Elinor on the Andy Griffith show! Married and everything!

[@FactsVerse]

Us too! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@debrawindsor6720]

I've always liked her as Ellie she knew how to keep Andy in his place!

[@MrCarp2]

Well, it was too early for feminists and not wanted now.

[@sharonbetcher5063]

I would have loved to see Andy & Ellie get married. They would have made a wonderful couple to raise Opie. Ellie was a wonderful actress, very supportive & tender.

[@Coyote329]

Wish she had hung around Mayberry longer. She and Joanna Moore’s character, Peggy, were Andy’s best girlfriends in my opinion.

[@josephjohnson8520]

She was amazing on The Andy Griffith Show. Ellie was a wonderful actress. I think it was the writers who created the character on the show. That's why she's left. Overall, She still had successful roles afterwards.

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@friedamills6769]

WOW! PROUD of Everyone who took time to Comment with SO Much Appreciation plus Special Communication! America Together! You each make US Proud! Thank You Elinor, for Sharing!🌟💌☘️🌎😊🙋🌹

[@maureentuohy8672]

Eleanor Donahue is a lovely beautiful and talented actor. My favorite character she played was Ambassador Hedford in the Star Trek episode “Metamorphosis.” It was a relatively small role but she was stunning in it.

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@SisuGirl]

I absolutely was in awe of Miss Elinor and thought she was the most beautiful girl on TV. I watched A LOT of “Father Knows Best” re-runs in the early 80’s. 😊

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@badpuppy09]

I loved her on the show. I thought Ellie brought beauty and intelligence to Mayberry. The show WAS about a widower father raising son with help of aunt. I loved Peggy the nurse and Helen Crump later on. It's easy to spot Elinor often in 40's MGM movies even when she is very very young with her beautiful smile!

[@maxalberts2003]

Elinor Donahue: class and dignity personified. Tough feminist off-screen. A hero to many. One of the most under-rated actors in history.

[@danacaro-herman3530]

@Max Alberts. Feminism is not a great thing. As a women they are noted to be far left and certainly not desirable to men that are worth their salt!!

[@dozzer009]

@@danacaro-herman3530 Yeah because equal rights is just a bridge too far for you I guess. SMH

[@patfromamboy]

@@danacaro-herman3530 feminism is great, weak men don’t like it though.

[@danacaro-herman3530]

@@patfromamboy God doesn't like it!! And read my above post again please, you're not getting it.

[@0066keith]

"woman"

[@patman7421]

Eleanor was fabulous on the Andy Griffith show. I was upset when she left.

[@rodirby5952]

I loved the character she played on Star Trek, it was of my favorite episodes

[@FactsVerse]

We vividly remember it too! Thank you for bringing back memories. Who is your all-time favorite actress?

[@carleathamccann5336]

Elinor’s character would have added more family friendly issues to the Andy Griffith show.

[@FactsVerse]

We feel the same way! Thank you for watching our content. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@jayjackson597]

my mother was just as beautiful and looked like she could be her sister, and her name was Eleanor. I was so disappointed to realize she was no longer on the show

[@joelangford7601]

It's funny. After about 70 years, there apparently are still a lot of people upset that Elly's character dropped out of the show. I still feel mildly upset. Eleanor just had charisma. Nobody on this board appears to have liked Helen very much. Her character just wasn't very appealing. I don't know if it was the writing or Anita herself or both. They had her get so angry at Andy a few times for ridiculous reasons. It made her seem really harsh and hard to like.

[@jenniferhudin2810]

Helen Crump (the name fit her) was in a constant state of rage. And then she went on to be Pete Malloy's (Adam 12) main girl. There she emasculated the sexiest man on television at the time. I can't even watch the episodes with her in them. Elly was sweet. I think Andy Griffith was a bit of a wolf, and she might not have liked the uncomfortable experiences off stage.

[@joelangford7601]

I think she misread the situation. Her character was clearly drawn, and she played it so well, that she became an integral part of the show. I remember even as a child I was very sad that she was no longer on the show. I didn't understand it.

[@deborahmorreale9488]

Absolutely! She's a terrific actress and a beautiful woman. Both inside and outside.

[@warp9p659]

I thought the character of Ellie Walker was a great one. She had a professional career as a pharmacist, a lively personality, and was very likable. The PTB should have kept the character in the show. She had a lot to offer.

[@inkyguy]

But did you listen to the narration? She asked to leave the show. The character disappeared because she left, not because the show got rid of the role.

[@susancook1448]

Is there any truth to the rumor that she left because Andy Griffith was a difficult person to get along with?

[@warp9p659]

@@susancook1448 Elinor described Andy Griffith during an interview as being "The Boss, in an excellent way, a good way". He told Elinor that they didn't know how to write for her character. She said that very early on in the first season, the Barney Fife character developed into the main sparring partner for Andy, which had not been expected. Elinor said that some of Miss Ellie's lines in the scripts would be removed and the lines given to the Barney Fife character. She had nothing but praise in the interview for Don Knotts, her personal friend Betty Linn, and Ron Howard, and said that she "loved" Frances Bavier. Elinor said she had been ill during Season 1, had missed several episodes, and decided herself to leave the show.

[@GarryAReed]

Absolutely Elinor should have stayed, a lot of us guys had crush’s on her ! A very “lovely lady” ! ❤️ 👍👍👍👍👍

[@paulaelliott47]

She was wonderful and a needed addition. I missed her ever after she left. I was sorry.

[@tommywatterson5276]

Yes I would've loved for her to have continued on the show. If not as Andy's love interest, then just to continue as a the pharmacist and stay as a primary character on the show. She created a more down home feel to a very down home show.

[@barbfrank917]

It was great seeing her play a pharmacist, usually played by a man

[@johnnybaker3751]

I am in love with Eleanor Donahue. Every time I see her my heart melts. I am a self proclaimed biggest fan. I wish there was someway I could meet her or even speak to her. I first fell in love with her when watching reruns of father knows best and then of course the Andy Griffith show. I will look up shows and interviews with her just to see her. If anyone knows how I could speak to her please let me know. To this day this lady has the most beautiful smile ever.

[@terrybuckalew6874]

She sure was lucky to have played in two of the best tv shows all the characters blended and made the show great

[@coololdluke3905]

She was fantastic, I wish she would have stayed on. Andy blew it haha. The odd couple was the only show I saw her in after Mayberry and Father knows best! Beautiful and a great actress!

[@alfredfowler9766]

I loved her and she was so gorgeous she took my breath away 🥰

[@FactsVerse]

A true fan spotted! We're happy to know that you love Elinor Donahue.

[@joe8315]

Elinor Donahue was wonderful in every role she played.

[@rjsledz]

Yes, she was very familiar and very warm hearted. It was kind of sad to see her go and I don't think that maybe the Andy Griffith show really knew what to do with women at the time. That's what I felt when I was watching it. They actually had only one Christmas show and that was with Elinor and that was it. They never had a Christmas show after that first season

[@duanedunsmore7792]

Yes. I wish she was on the Andy Griffith Show more. I always thought she would marry Andy.

[@gregwatson8219]

He lookd too mature for her

[@scottsmith2508]

Eleanor Donahue was the best thing about the first two seasons of Andy Griffith show--maybe the whole series but I think she was only in the first season. I loved her interactions with children.

[@chriswright6425]

Always loved the character's Elinor played!!!! Wished she continued on AG. But don't forget her cameo in Pretty Woman!!!

[@shiangjeoushyu8586]

Yes, I always wondered how the relationship with Andy on the show might turn out if she stayed.

[@davidllewis4075]

The first woman I ever loved. It was most unfortunate she was already 18 and I was but 10.

[@yooperlooper]

She was the best of Andy's girlfriends! There were a couple others I liked but not Helen Crump. Couldn't stand her. I wanted Andy and Ellie to stay together. She was soooo pretty.

[@joeyanny8018]

I loved Elinor. Still do. I was sad to see her disappear from the cast. She was beautiful & a great actress.

[@FactsVerse]

Beautiful words, thank you for your message for Elinor! Who is your all-time favorite actress?

[@joeyanny8018]

I’d need to think about who was my favorite. There’s too many extremely talented and beautiful ladies who graced us with there time & skills to pick just one. That being said, I have always almost worshiped Sofia Lauren, Sandra Bullock, Elizabeth Taylor et al. There’s too many to pick just one. 😘

[@toniquinn9270]

Elinor Donahue was my favorite woman for Andy as far as love interest goes I really hated that she left the show, and I thought that she sounded really pretty. As a blind person not able to see her, I always thought that they should’ve kept her on the show throughout its seasons

[@gregwatson8219]

Bless u Toni

[@brittanybales715]

I had The same thoughts… and I too am blind

[@toniquinn9270]

@@brittanybales715 thanks Britney! I just think that Eleanor sounded so pretty, and she didn’t seem to be so snooty like Helen was all the time

[@larrythomas3624]

I love the early (black & white) Andy Griffith show. As much as I love it, “Ellie “ continuing on with the show, and perhaps getting married in the show would have only made it better!! I think by a lot! And that is coming from a big fan of the show. I still have the re-runs on several times every week…

[@wallacelang1374]

I like Elinor Donahue and when I watched the first season of The Andy Griffith Show I felt that she was wonderful as Ellie Walker the town pharmacist and Sheriff Andy Taylor's girlfriend.

[@skye.325]

I'll always remember her from an episode of Star Trek where she played a woman who was terminally ill and her body was taken over by an alien being to save her life

[@JamesAllmond]

holy crap, that was her...thanks for that...never realized it.

[@majkus]

The story of an immortal who gives up her immortality for the love of a mortal man. Beren and Lúthien. Aragorn and Arwen. It isn't the best-loved Trek episode, but one of my personal favorites.

[@wraithby]

It was a very good original Star Trek episode. An early earth astronaut lost in space and kept alive by a non corperal alien being. Elinor played a Federation diplomat who was going to die after a shuttle crash. The alien being was actually in love with the astronaut. Elinor's character agreed to allow the alien to inhabit her body. A very well acted episode and the kind of television that is rarely produced today.

[@jakecollings6687]

I often thought if Ellie stayed and did get married to Andy, how different the show would have been Ellie was favorite girlfriend for Andy

[@anarchistatheist1917]

Even though this show was before my time (born in 1984). I love it, it went downhill when don knotts left but it was good he branched out into movies. I feel Elinoir Donahue was the best love interest of Andy on the show.

[@brianeslinger3639]

I do remember seeing her when I was 10 years old expecting to see her in season 2 and wondered where she was an what happened of course many many years later she talked about it in a interview ❤️😟

[@hallandrum6519]

Yes I would love to see her more and Andy Griffith show I really liked her she was really a pretty woman she had a good character and she stand her ground

[@davidspicer9949]

For those wishing she had married Andy, one must remember that everyone was single on the show except for Otis who was married and always drunk!

[@heavenbound3665]

I liked her but I think.if Andy had married in the second season it would have been a very different show.

[@jameswesterman9283]

That's not true, Howard Sprague was married to his mother

[@carmenlugo7935]

Yes I absolutely enjoyed her on the show. Remembered her from Father knows best. I was disappointed when she left.

[@FactsVerse]

Glad to know that you're a fan of Elinor! Which episode is the most memorable for you?

[@ernestalopez5926]

Yes, I liked most of Andy's girlfriends except Helen. I hated that character, always in a hateful bad mood.

[@brentbrady7865]

Agreed, never likeable character IMO.

[@cathychrosniak3742]

You are so right I really liked ellie.

[@danacowles2848]

Agreed! Helen was my least favorite character and girlfriend of Andy’s

[@patsyjohnson3963]

Not true, Helen played the part of a school teacher and girlfriend of Andy. He loved her. She was just what he needed, level headed and she treated him like a man as well as Opies father. She fit in with aunt Bea and all the town people. She did not write her lines. She delivered what writers put before her. I loved Ellie and all Andy's friends but the season was new and Ellie and Andy were silly together in the beginning. Ellie could be just as moody as Helen. Actually, I liked everyone in the show except the stupid Ernest T. Bass. I know he was a great actor,singer and producer on the show, just could not stand that character. I never liked the Darlings but I'm sure the rest of the world loved them. Best show ever for television.

[@raygarafano3633]

U mean Helen Crump? School teacher? Opies teacher? She was o.k. nothing to write home about.

[@mackethridge]

Bless you, Elinor, you are so greatly loved.

[@billhensley8324]

This is the gripe I have with the Andy Griffith show. He had so many fine looking girl friends over the series but wound up with Helen Crump. Anita corsault wasn't ugly but she didn't rank up there with some of Andy,s earlier girlfriends.

[@maryslack6169]

I loved her character wish I could have seen more. It's a shame cause to me she was just as important. I'm glad she went on to have more success

[@larryb8022]

Yes, absolutely when she left fit me the show was quite the same. She was the special ingredient that set it off.

[@georgevanaken925]

I, for one, definitely missed her character and have always wondered why she was missing.

[@cherylb2008]

She and Andy Griffith had the best chemistry

[@larrydemaar409]

I consider Elinor Donahue one of the best actresses on TV. When she was supposed to be sad, she genuinely looked sad, when she was supposed to be embarrassed, she genuinely looked embarrassed, etc. Whatever the emotion that she was supposed to show, it looked real not acting. That is a rare talent, most other actors you can tell when they are acting.

[@johnnybaker3751]

Great post you are so right. She is the best. I’m 59yo but I’m still in love with this beautiful lady

[@wmden1]

It seems to me that none of Andy Griffith's love interests had any more, or less funny lines than the other. I think the love interests were meant to be just that, love interests, and not necessarily more than incidental comedy. She was a popular character, and the producers knew it. I think she made a bad decision to leave after just one season, if that was the true reason she left. She would have had a peach of a part, for at least a few years. I also think the "love interest" character was an afterthought of the writers, and producers.

[@gracegirl3]

Agree, the writers could have taken the relationship a lot slower than they did because it kind of catapults into a big time romance which didn't leave them a lot of options except marriage and that would have dramatically changed the show perhaps

[@charlottemccord2331]

Yes, I would have liked to see more of Elenor Donhue. I think she had a lot to offer which would have been developed as time went on.

[@marcusbetancourt3760]

As much as I loved The Sndy Griffith Show and all the cast members in it including the lady who played the part of Helen Crump, I really think that Ellie Walker would have made the perfect wife for Andy. I really, really do. God bless them all. Each and every one of them.

[@FactsVerse]

Same here! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of videos would you like to see?

[@TWayneD1020]

Thank you so much for this information update !! Yea, they should have kept her on the Andy Griffith show !!

[@arthurdevain754]

The Producers wanted her gone! Giving the best lines to someone else and not allowing the character to grow are things that do not happen by accident! They are never inadvertent.

[@victoriabelveduto3279]

Yes, clearly the producers fault for letting ellie go. What on earth were they thinking? And then giving us the humorless Helen Krump? Big mistake. I think Andy could've saved her from leaving if he wanted to, but obviously didn't care enough.

[@beagledog2001]

@@victoriabelveduto3279 I certainly agree! Ellie was a much more likable and interesting character than Helen was. In fact, I know it was of course the script and not the person herself, but the character of Helen could be downright unpleasant sometimes.

[@mccaffreybeverley450]

She probably wouldn't sleep with someone

[@inkyguy]

That’s a huge leap and extremely speculative. The show was Andy Griffith’s. He ultimately made all the decisions. He made sure the lines went to the character and actor who would produce the best result, completely ego-less. Unfortunately for Ms. Donahue that wasn’t her character. Those are the breaks.

[@miketeacher9016]

I agree. They started to decrease her character for some reason. And the above is correct: It was Griffith's show and he could have corrected the situation. I heard that they did not get along. For that matter, any love interest of Griffith's did not last long. Crump wasn't on the show for long (was it two seasons). It was Andy that was responsible.

[@andreasdesigns]

I always wondered what happened to the character. Thank you for letting us know.

[@Hopeful62]

Ellie was soooooo much more interesting and a better fit on this show than the god awful Helen character. Helen was every gross female stereotype and was deeply in charismatic.

[@gracegirl3]

What a great lady Elinor Donahue is, and what a wonderful character Ellie Walker was! The first season is the best because of her. When she left Andy's character changed as well and he was always pursuing a new girlfriend. I never liked any of his other girlfriends as well as Ellie. And they came and went without explanation as well until they finally settled on Helen crump whose character we did not like at all; she was always angry or jealous. Very disappointing that they just let Ellie's character disappear without any explanation when the 2nd season started. Ridiculous! And they never did another Christmas episode after season 1 either. Walker's drug store definitely did add a lot to the show as well and was greatly missed. Thanks for this video. Lifelong Andy Griffith fan, never get tired of it! Wish I could live in Mayberry.

[@davidrobinson5122]

If you watch Father Knows Best closely Elinor Donahue literally stole every scene she was in on that show

[@scclif]

Yes absolutely. She was wonderful.

[@cocokai9661]

Loved her! Wish it had worked out with her on this show. She was a much better match with Andy than the awful school teacher.

[@gracegirl3]

Agree! Temperamental, jealous, hot headed 'old lady Crump' 😆

[@LawandaFinch]

I agree. Ellie or Peggy would have been way better than Helen.

[@JohnWilliams-ij4gj]

I don’t live far from Mt Airy or Pilot Mountain in North Carolina and enjoy Mayberry Days. Unfortunately I have never been able go on the day(s) Elinor Donahue was there for the event. But I have written her several times and she was gracious and quick in replying. She always personally inscribed the photos I sent. They are very treasured just as she is in my heart and in the hearts of all of her fans.

[@jeffgrogan3173]

Yes I would have loved to see Ellie this day on the show. I thought she was an outstanding female actor and she would have done good things for the show

[@EngPheniks]

Her episode of "Metamorphosis" in second season of Star Trek TOS was simply beautiful

[@JimWisetheGrey3]

Andy was the Star of the Show, and the others were there to build their parts around him. Barnie certainly did so, and his character grew, each year, until we all looked forward, weekly, to his humor, and antics. And, Elinor DID THE SAME!!! She just left too soon. We still watch old Shows, and always look forward to the Shows she was on. The rest of Andy's girls added little. Elinor was Sunshine. She brought a brightness to the Show, and a smile to Andy's face. That first Season, he was happy. After she left, the Show kept getting darker, and darker - which might have happened, anyway, but, we'll never know. All I know is that every time she was on, it made us feel good, and Andy's playing off of her made us happy. He went from always smiling, to always scowling. Elinor was Classy, Cute, Demure, Happy, Bright, and Beautiful. Her huge smile, and bright eyes lit up every scene. She perfectly played the part of the girl we all hoped Andy would catch....the kind that would have made a wonderful wife, and Mother, for Opie. It was a huge mistake to let her go!!

[@FactsVerse]

We agree! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your sentiments. Be on the lookout for our next video!

[@TheMinnow101]

To me the real change in Andy was the season after Don left. His character really became much darker and frustrated in his interactions with the other characters. In fact, looking back at those seasons after Don left, it’s a mystery to me how the show continued to be the top rated show for year’s afterwards. Howard, Emmett and Goober, um, nope.

[@robertjrobicheau8456]

I grew up on Andy Griffith re runs. I loved the show and thought Miss Ellie was the most beautiful woman in the world. Even now as a older man when I watch the show my eyes still see a knock out!

[@johnsweeney5946]

During the 1st year, Andy used his "No Time for Sergeants" persona, which was completely wrong for the character. Elinor probably just didn't want to play a romantic interest for a bumpkin. Andy cut out the hillbilly routine the 2nd year. She should have stuck around.

[@brendadavis5391]

I would love yo see her more everywhere. I did not know she had parts in all of these other shows. I saw her in Pretty Woman and c was thrilled to see er once again.

[@MrStoyd]

I would’ve loved to see more of Ellie Walker in later seasons. She was also Gladys Peterson on Get A Life in the early 90’s.

[@judypierce7028]

Absolutely! I loved Elinor in any role.

[@FactsVerse]

You're a true fan! What other types of video would you like to see?

[@edwardchrishooks9918]

You fail to mention she had a cameo roll in "PRETTY WOMAN" staring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

[@bilbo2shire]

Was definitely hoping that She would had been written into the Show, GOD BLESS!!!

[@citizenken7069]

According to Andy Griffith, the writers of the show had a hard time writing for Elinor Donahue. He said it wasn't her fault; they just couldn't get a bead on her character.

[@cribrebo7375]

Absolutely she was naturally beautiful naturally talented and I thought a huge asset to the first season of the show. It's a shame she didn't see it.

[@mikentx57]

I also think any female character that played a love interest to Andy would been doomed in the first season. A big part of Andy's character was that he was a single dad. Getting married to the first woman that came along would have messed that up. I do wish Elinor Donahue had joined the show a couple season's later. She was much better than Anita Corsaut (Helen Crump).

[@fabergeegg1722]

I have seen scores of movies from the 1930s-1960s, and I have seen Eleanor when she was a kid in films. She was charming in those films when she was a child star. I have always liked her becuase she had that quality on screen that was always likeable.

[@soonerstonyful]

Absolutely she was by far my favorite love interest for Andy.

[@johndersham1]

Yes, I really like her on the show. She was good and I liked how they portrayed her.

[@jackkircher1755]

I think a permanent relationship with Ellie could have worked out. My second choice would have been either of the two county nurses named Mary (one blonde for two episodes and a brunette for one). I think people were pulling for nurse Peggy (Joanna Moore) but she only lasted 5 episodes. Can't believe he ended up with Helen Crump! They should have kept Abdy single. For the reunion movie, perhaps he could have had a double wedding with Barney abd Thelma Lou. Perhaps even with Charlene Darlin! Imagine that! 😃😊 😉😜😘

[@JC-ev9dy]

For the reunion it should have been Barney and Juanita his side chick 🐤 played by Rita Moreno

[@rhondabitler5474]

I really liked the Peggy love interest with Andy. Elle was ok too. But I must admit I had to warm up to her when I first started watching the reruns with her in them.