What Happened to Our Favorite Child Stars From The ’50s, ’60s & ’70s

Character: Betty Anderson As Seen In: Father Knows Best (1954) Estimated Net Worth: $3 Million*

Elinor Donahue, a talented actress with a remarkable portfolio of film roles, credits much of her success to her portrayal of Betty Anderson in Father Knows Best. The popular sitcom, which ran for a total of six seasons, aired on both CBS and NBC.

Originating on the radio, the series made an unusual transition to television. In this transition, only the lead actor, Robert Young, survived, and all characters underwent a rewrite to soften their edges for a more family-friendly appeal on television.