The original radio series of “Father Knows Best” starred Robert Young as
Insurance agent Jim Anderson. His wife Margaret was first portrayed by
June Whitley and later by Jean Vander Pyl. The Anderson children were
Betty (Rhonda Williams), Bud (Ted Donaldson), and Kathy was played
by (Norma Jean Nillson). The show was sponsored through most of its
run by General Foods, the series was heard Thursday evenings on
NBC until March 25, 1954. It went to television on May 27, 1954.
Only Robert Young remained of the radio cast when the series moved to
CBS Television.