Who Is Still Alive From ‘Father Knows Best?’

Lauren Novak October 4, 9:50 am

FATHER KNOWS BEST, from left, Lauren Chapin, Jane Wyatt, Robert Young, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, 1955-62 — Everett Collection

Father Knows Best, based on a radio show by the same name, premiered on October 3, 1954, and was one of those quintessential classic ’50s sitcoms. Meant to showcase the moral and social issues of the ’50s, with some light-hearted laughs, it featured the Anderson family, comprised of father Jim Anderson (Robert Young), mother Margaret (Jane Wyatt) and their three children: Betty (Elinor Donahue), Bud (Billy Gray) and Kathy (Lauren Chapin). Centered around the father character, who represented parental wisdom, it influenced many sitcoms to come. While most of the cast has since passed away, have you ever wondered who is still alive from the show? Let’s find out!

Elinor Donahue (87)

Betty ‘Princess’ Anderson

Everett Collection; Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Days Of Our Lives

Donahue was featured in many nostalgic sitcoms including The Andy Griffith Show, The Odd Couple, and later starred as Rebecca Quinn on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She began singing and dancing at the age of five and worked in vaudeville before making movies. Donahue once said one of her favorite roles was in Father Knows Best because there was a warm and loving energy on the set of the series. Most recently, she appeared in four episodes of The Young and the Restless in 2010 and 2011, but has since retired.

Billy Gray (86)

Bud Anderson

Everett Collection; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Gray made his film debut at the age of 10 and appeared in several movies, including The Day the Earth Stood Still and All I Desire before being cast in Father Knows Best. After the show, he became a Class A motorcycle speedway racer and race promoter, plus co-owned BigRock Engineering, which makes guitar accessories. Reportedly, he still lives in the California home he purchased while starring in Father Knows Best, but hasn’t appeared in any TV shows or movies since 1980.

Lauren Chapin (79)

Kathy ‘Kitten’ Anderson

Everett Collection; LaurenKnowsBest.com Lauren Chapin’s Website

Chapin played the youngest child on Father Knows Best and unfortunately suffered from a tumultuous life after the show. She once shared that she got married at 16 and spent around 15 years in drug addiction, in and out of jail and bad marriages. She eventually went to rehab and turned her life around. In 1989, she released a book called Father Does Know Best: The Lauren Chapin Story, and has participated in many conventions and events for the ’50s show. She is now a licensed and ordained evangelist.

FATHER KNOWS BEST, from left, Jane Wyatt, Robert Young, 1954-60

Everett Collection

Sadly, Young died on June 21, 1998, at age 91 and Wyatt died on October 20, 2006, at age 96. Now tell us: Who was your favorite character in Father Knows Best?