Anecdotes

The song "Ellie's Smile" by Jonathan Lore is a tribute to Elinor, and includes references to her career.

Her late husband Harry Ackerman was almost 24 years her senior.

Those who fondly recall the archetypal 1950s family sitcom Papa a raison (1954) may be surprised to learn that when the series debuted in 1954, it did so poorly in the ratings that CBS canceled it in March of 1955. A flood of protests came from viewers insisting that the show be reinstated. It was moved to an earlier time, and it gradually became a hit.

She was trained in ballet and performed a ballet dance on "Father Knows Best" (1954) {Proud Father (#1.23)}.

Acting mentor was Robert Young.

Elinor's character on "The Odd Couple" was named Miriam Welby, an homage to Robert Young's "Marcus Welby, M.D." character. Robert Young played her father in "Father Knows Best.".

She has four sons: Brian Ackerman, Peter Ackerman, James Ackerman and Chris Ackerman and two step-children: Susan Peterson and Stephen Ackerman.

Adrienne Hayes---who was born just 6 months after Elinor---looked just like her. In Bud and the Debutante (1959), they were hard to tell apart.

One day older than George Takei who co starred with her in Metamorphosis (1967).