Created by Earl Hamner Jr., The Waltons was one of the greatest TV shows of the ‘70s. The iconic period drama had nine seasons and several reunion movies overall. Viewers found themselves fascinated by the world of the eponymous Walton family, which they viewed from the eyes of John-Boy, the eldest son. It has been a long time since then, so what could the cast have been up to all these years? Let us go find out.
Then: Ralph Waite
The family’s patriarch John Walton Sr. on The Waltons, was played by Ralph Waite. He did not only run the family sawmill, but also kept the entire family together despite the challenges presented by the Great Depression and the Second World War. Although John Walton Sr. was generally a wise and good-natured character on the show, he had a tendency to act brashly when under stress and work himself too hard. Apparently, the part originally went to Andrew Duggan who played John Walton Sr. in the pilot TV special titled The Homecoming: A Christmas Story. Needless to say, it is difficult to think of anyone but Ralph Waite in this role.
Then: Ralph Waite
Now: Ralph Waite
When The Waltons ended, Ralph Waite continued to act and starred in different films and TV shows. For example, he played a recurring character called Jackson Gibbs on the popular police procedural, NCIS. He is also credited as the creator of Will Kidder in the 1995 Pulitzer Prize-winning play titled The Young Man From Atlanta. Did you know the actor is a political activist as well? As a Democrat, he ran for Congress in California but lost in the election. He first ran in 1990 when he was up against Al McCandless, though he lost by five points. In 1998, he ran again for a district Sonny Bono left vacant. This time, he suffered defeat at the hand of Mary Bono, Sonny’s widow. The actor died of natural causes at the age of 85 on February 13, 2014.
Now: Ralph Waite
Then: Michael Learned
Michael Learned landed the role of Olivia Walton, the family matriarch, even though she only had a couple of acting credits under her belt. She was considered an unknown at the time and was billed as Miss Michael Learned. This happened because producers thought people would be confused about her gender! When the show was on the air, she received six Emmy Awards nominations and took home three. In the role, she played the patient and soft-spoken wife, a Southern Baptist woman who never failed to give the seven kids guidance. In 1979, she did not renew her contract, which led to the assumption that she did not want to be typecast. On the show, the character’s sudden disappearance was explained with tuberculosis treatment in a sanatorium. Later on, she guest starred in four out of six The Waltons reunion movies.
Then: Michael Learned
Now: Michael Learned
After The Waltons, Michael Learned remained active in the industry, especially on Broadway and television. She experienced plenty of success for her work on General Hospital as the cancer patient called Shirley Smith. Learned also substituted for Jeanne Cooper on The Young and the Restless. When she was on The Waltons, she was fighting alcohol dependence, but she has now been sober since the year 1977. In 2002, she published a Daily Word article about the spiritual journey she took to sobriety. The star is now married to John Doherty, her fourth husband. She is also the mother of three children she had with Peter Donat, her first husband and co-star.
Now: Michael Learned
Then: Richard Thomas
Richard Thomas is a former child actor who has numerous television roles and several film roles to his name. Before he started to play John-Boy, he had already appeared in Winning alongside Paul Newman and the like. His character on the show was based on the life of Earl Hamner Jr., The Waltons writer and narrator for the opening and closing scenes. When he left the show in 1977, Robert Wightman took over his role, but he did show up for three movies. He portrayed John-Boy, a serious reader and thinker who dreams of becoming a writer someday. In his journal, he writes down his thoughts about his family and life in general. He was the first family member to have the opportunity to finish college, though he later enlisted in the military when Pearl Harbor was bombed.
Then: Richard Thomas
Now: Richard Thomas
It is interesting to learn that Richard Thomas enjoyed a successful career in theater. He appeared in Fifth of July in 1980 and starred in Richard II in 1993. Aside from these, he also worked on a number of performances staged at the Hartford Stage in Connecticut from the late ‘80s to the early ‘90s. In 2009 to 2010, he performed in the Broadway production of David Mamet’s Race alongside Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier, and James Spader. The actor is probably best known today for his performance as the FBI counterintelligence supervisor Frank Gaad in the FX drama The Americans.
Now: Richard Thomas
Then: John Walmsley
When he was a young boy, John Walmsley was featured in numerous television shows and even lent his voice to Christopher Robin in the Disney cartoon called Winnie the Pooh. Of course, this happened before he was cast as Jason Walton on The Waltons. The character could not be any more different from John-Boy, his older brother. Despite their differences, they were always close. In the show, the character enjoyed making music on the guitar, harmonica, and piano. When season three rolled in, he even attended the Kleinberg Conservatory of Music. Jason got a job playing music in a honky-tonk. Like the character, Walmsley was also a songwriter and instrumentalist.
Then: John Walmsley
Now: John Walmsley
John Walmsley would eventually come back for all the reunion projects of The Waltons from the ‘80s to the ‘90s. He even made music for the Christmas albums of The Waltons! When he finished The Waltons, Walmsley decided it was the time to focus on working as a composer instead. You will hear his music in 7th Heaven, 8 Simple Rules, and Secret Life of the American Teenager. John Walmsmey happens to be a veteran of the studio and worked with notable musicians such as Al Jardine, David Koz, Greg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, Merle Haggard, Richard Marx, Peter and Gordon, and Strawberry Alarm Clock. Pretty impressive, huh?
Now: John Walmsley
Then: Judy Norton-Taylor
Before Judy Norton-Taylor got the role of Mary Ellen Walton on The Waltons, she did not have a lot of acting credits just yet. At the age of 13, she began to practice Scientology and even became a minister of the church. Her character was the eldest daughter in the family. She was initially an angsty, rebellious young girl who would eventually blossom into a mature woman. Mary Ellen became a nurse and a then a doctor before she married a physician and had a child. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he would suffer from injuries and change so much they got a divorce.
Then: Judy Norton-Taylor
Now: Judy Norton-Taylor
After her time on The Waltons, many people continued to think of her as a child actress even though she was already in her twenties by then. She wanted to get away from the wholesome image she had, which led her to pose for Playboy in 1985. Six years after that, she walked down the aisle with Randy Apostle, with whom she had a child called Devin. Unfortunately, they divorced in 2001. Norton-Taylor recently directed, wrote, and starred in the Canadian series called Bluff. Aside from that, she is married to Robert Graves and travels between the U.S. and Canada regularly. Norton-Taylor is an athlete who skydives, horse jumps, skis, and plays tennis. It seems like she can do anything since she also sings. In 2016, she released and a CD called Reflections.
Now: Judy Norton-Taylor
Then: David Harper
James Robert “Jim-Bob” Walton was the second youngest kid in the family. He was born a twin, though his sibling Joseph Zebulon did not live past birth. It was unfortunate that they did not both survive even though they were the only kids in the family delivered at the hospital. David Harper first played Jim-Bob in the made for television movie, The Homecoming: A Christmas Story. The year that filmed, The Waltons TV series became a reality. Harper then signed on to star in it and played Jim-Bob for the entire nine seasons of the show.
Then: David Harper
Now: David Harper
After working on The Waltons, David Harper continued to act for a while. He starred in a number of The Waltons specials, the miniseries The Blue and The Gray, and the movie Fletch. The actor attended business school as well and has not been active in the scene ever since. In 2011, Harper revealed that his hobbies and interests include reading, writing, music, and history (particularly ancient Sumer and the Civil War). He is also a fan of watching films and playing jigsaw puzzles.
Now: David Harper
Then: Mary Elizabeth McDonough
Mary Elizabeth McDonough actually had her breakthrough when she played Erin Esther Walton on The Waltons. She played the fourth-born kid of John and Olivia. She was close to Mary Ellen, but they fought often like regular sisters. Erin was a bit of a romantic who struggled to find her place. She is not a scholar like John-Boy, an instrumentalist like Jason, or book-smart like Mary Ellen. After she finished high school, she went to business school and later became the executive manager at a plant during the war. Erin had relationships, though they often ended badly like her marriage to the unfaithful Paul Northridge. In the last reunion movie, she was working as a school principal.
Then: Mary Elizabeth McDonough
Now: Mary Elizabeth McDonough
When The Waltons wrapped up, Mary Elizabeth McDonough guest starred on popular television shows such as Ally McBeal, Boston Legal, ER, The Love Boat, Texas Ranger, Walker, The West Wing, and Will & Grace. She was cast in the recurring role of Mrs. Wilhoite on The New Adventures of Old Christine,/em>. Apart from acting, she also appears in several international and syndicated radio shows like Get Focused Radio alongside Kate Hennessy. She was once married to Rob Wickstrom, with how she had a daughter named Sydnee. Unfortunately, they got a divorce in 1996. She is a lupus erythematosus sufferer and claims the condition comes from leaking silicone implants.
Now: Mary Elizabeth McDonough
Then: Eric Scott
Eric is best known for playing the fifth-born kid in The Waltons, Ben Walton. On the show, his character was named after his late uncle, his father’s brother, who died during the Great War. He is generally described to be a troublemaker. He boasts of an enterprising spirit, though his moneymaking schemes typically land him in the kind of trouble that John-Boy or their father needs to bail him out of. In the show, he would elope with Cindy Brunson. Together, they would have two kids: Virginia and Charles. In the second reunion movie, the latter was born. In the fourth reunion movie, however, it was revealed that Virginia died of drowning, which led the couple to consider adopting yet another child.
Then: Eric Scott
Now: Eric Scott
After his portrayal of Ben on the show, Eric Scott decided to step back from acting for a while. He only appeared in minor roles after The Waltons. He had a brief marriage to Karey Louis and then tied to knot with Theresa Fargo. He has a daughter named Ashley with the latter, though Theresa died of leukemia soon after their child’s birth in 1992. She developed the cancer while she was carrying the baby. In 2001, Scott married again, this time to Cyndy Ullman Wolfen. They welcomed a daughter in 2001 and a son in 2004. It seems that Eric Scott has found happiness at long last. He now resides in Sherman Oaks, California and owns a parcel delivery service called Chase Messengers.
Now: Eric Scott
Then: David W. Harper
David W. Harper made a name for himself as Jim-Bob Walton, the youngest boy in the family. He had a twin named Joseph Zebulon, who did not make it past their birth. He was close to Elizabeth, his younger sister. Among other things, Jim-Bob was fascinated by flight and mechanically savvy. Although he wanted to become a pilot, he had to give up on his dream thanks to his poor eyesight. Instead, he chose to open a mechanic business after being inspired by Ike Godsey’s general store. Over the course of the show, Jim-Bob had a couple of girlfriends like Aimee Godsey. He graduated valedictorian from high school and attempted to enlist in the military when Pearl Harbor happened. However, he was refused because he was still too young.
Then: David W. Harper
Now: David W. Harper
Harper might have stuck with the show through the entire nine-season run but did not focus on acting after the iconic role. Nonetheless, you will see him in the CBS period drama miniseries called The Blue and the Gray as well as the comedy action flick Fletch. Like the other stars of the show, he went on to appear in the reunion specials made during the ‘80s and the ‘90s. David W. Harper is no longer active in the entertainment industry, but he makes sure to commemorate his time on The Waltons by regularly appearing at events related to the show. You might even spot him at the next memorabilia or collectible fair!
Now: David W. Harper
Then: Kami Cotler
We are sure you have not forgotten about little Kami Cotler, who had only been six years old at the beginning of the series. She played Elizabeth Tyler Walton, the youngest child of the family. In the show, she was known as a free-spirited child who was outspoken and sensitive at the same time. She is closest to her cousin, Aimee Godsey. When she was a teenager, she was shown to be a bookworm like John-Boy and expressed an interest in her brother’s writing. Elizabeth was always helpful and babysat her nieces and nephews. She would also satisfy her wonderful by traveling around Europe and joining the Peace Corps. In the last movie, the character was engaged to her boyfriend called Drew.
Then: Kami Cotler
Now: Kami Cotler
After her work on The Waltons, Kami Cotler opted for a new career path. She went to the University of California, Berkeley and finished her Social Sciences degree. She would go on to become a teacher and even started teaching at a school in rural Virginia, which was similar to the one her character went to. She eventually came back to California to take a job at an Environmental Charter High School and co-direct the Ocean Charter School. In 2007, she quit to launch an educational consulting business of her own. We are sure that the fictional Elizabeth Tyler Walton would be proud to hear that the former child star enjoyed a successful career as both an environmentalist and educator.
Now: Kami Cotler
Grandma Had A Female Lover
We bet this little tidbit would have shocked the whole Walton family if they knew about it. Grandma Esther Walton actually had a girlfriend! Three-time Emmy Award winner Ellen Corby was in a relationship with a woman. She married a man named Francis but got a divorce in 1944. Despite this, her obituary had a telling line that said something about how she was survived by her female partner of 45 years. The actress never had children of her own. We do not doubt that the Southern Baptist family would not have approved of her sexual orientation, but the cast had another actor who was actually in the same boat. Can you guess who it was?
Grandma Had A Female Lover
Grandpa Had A Male Lover
Will Geer, the actor who portrayed the elderly family member Grandpa Zebulon, was gay as well. He was in a relationship with Harry Hay, a prominent communist and activist for labor, gay, and Native American civil rights. Hay was also credited as the founder of the first gay rights group in the country, the Mattachine Society. He considered Will Geer his political mentor, and the pair went to a couple of strikes together. Geer was actually a passionate activist his entire life, organizing benefits for migrant farm workers and visiting government work camps with Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie. We were all sad to hear that he died of respiratory failure at the age of 76. His family sang “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie at his deathbed.
Grandpa Had A Male Lover
Ralph Waite Had To Leave As A Cost-Cutting Measure
The ninth season of the show was not supposed to happen, but they nonetheless went through with it and paid the price of a smaller budget. The producers had to come up with a way to make it work so they decided to take out the best paid actor. It was none other than Ralph Waite. What bad luck!
Ralph Waite Had To Leave As A Cost-Cutting Measure
Ellen Corby Suffered A Stroke And Then Returned
This next bit of information is a little sad. After suffering a stroke, Ellen Corby had to take a break to rest and recover. She was initially afraid that her acting chops would be affected by the stroke, but everyone was surprised to find that the the opposite happened! However, fans were not sure the actress should be back on the show so soon. Her cast members stepped up and told everyone that acting was doing wonders for her health.
Ellen Corby Suffered A Stroke And Then Returned
Patricia Neal Was Supposed To Be Part Of The Cast
Patricia Neal portrayed Olivia Walton in the show’s pilot, but she could not stay on for a good reason. She was unable to keep the role because of her health problems in the past. This was how Michael Learned took over as the matriarch of the family instead. We can’t help but think about the alternate possibility, but we honestly think that it all worked out perfectly!
Patricia Neal Was Supposed To Be Part Of The Cast
Henry Fonda Was Another Star Who Could Have Been In It
Henry Fonda was all set to take on the role of The Waltons patriarch, but things changed when he said certain things. Execs at CBS were convinced that he was the perfect person for the job, but Fonda made up his mind after watching the pilot. What he said has gone down in history: “What do you want me for? The whole family is the star! You don’t need me.” If you ask us, he knew what he was talking about.
Henry Fonda Was Another Star Who Could Have Been In It
Is The Waltons A Sitcom Or Not?
In those days, sitcoms were always titled with the last name of the family. This is one way to figure out if a piece of media was going to be a sitcom or not. However, The Waltons was not a sitcom. You can understand how confused the early viewers must have reacted! Despite the confusion, it still became a hit show that millions of people tuned in to watch.
Is The Waltons A Sitcom Or Not?
Playing The Father And The Son Again
Before they worked on the show, Ralph Waite and Richard Thomas already collaborated on Last Summer. Three years after that, they would work together to portray another father-son duo. As the old adage goes, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it! Their onscreen chemistry had been amazing from the very beginning, which worked well to the show’s advantage.
Playing The Father And The Son Again
Olivia Walton Had A Problem With Alcohol
On the show, Michael Learned would refer to alcohol as evil and go on a rant about drinking. In reality, the actress did not believe the words that came out of her mouth. Apparently, she even auditioned with a bourbon bottle in her pocket! That is dedication for you. Despite this, the actress was able to persuade the casting crew that she could bring the character to life.
Olivia Walton Had A Problem With Alcohol
Jon Walmsley Was Raised In The States But Born in England
John Walmsley was born not in the United States, but in Lancashire, England. We bet you are wondering how come he did not speak with an English accent! Well, his family crossed the Atlantic before he could develop it. Of course, it is not all the uncommon to hear about actors who could mask their real accents when playing a character that called for a different one.
Jon Walmsley Was Raised In The States But Born in England
The Studio Refused To Spend An Additional Penny On The Cast
It seems like the studio was not afraid to be as cheap as they possibly could! There was a joke about the show that explained how the executives considered it a party if there was a single beer and then thirteen straws. That is only exhibit A! Michael Learned once said that there was a time when she received a flower arrangement, but the kids never got anything. Talk about penny-pinching!
The Studio Refused To Spend An Additional Penny On The Cast
Ralph Waite Was Smitten With The Entire Cast
Ralph Waite found the strength to turn his life around because of his costars on The Waltons. This is all the proof we need that love is the greatest motivator in the world. When the show started, he was battling addiction. However, he was able to turn over a new leaf thanks to his love for the cast. Apparently, it was at the dinner table with the child stars that he signed up for AA. This was how the talented actor started his journey to sobriety.
Ralph Waite Was Smitten With The Entire Cast
Ralph Waite And Michael Learned Tried To Date
Just like Topanga and Cory in Boy Meets World, onscreen chemistry can translate to a relationship outside of the set. The two lead stars were single back then, so Ralph once drove to Malibu. However, when they tried it out, it only became an awkward staring contest between them. Luckily, they cleared the air immediately and decided it would not work.
Ralph Waite And Michael Learned Tried To Date
Mary Ellen Ruined Her Career When She Did The Playboy Spread
Although it might be a great move for certain celebrities, Mary Ellen did not get the same results when she appeared on Playboy. Years later, she admitted that posing for the magazine was a terrible idea. In the interviews that followed, journalists decided to focus on her Playboy stint instead of her acting chops. Yikes.
Mary Ellen Ruined Her Career When She Did The Playboy Spread
Mary McDonough’s Health Suffered After She Tried Breast Augmentation
We bet Mary McDonough had a rough time transitioning into other projects after working on The Waltons. This might be why she tried breast implants, but things did not go according to plan. According to the actress, it only made her sick. The health complications she suffered from the implants allegedly led to her contraction of lupus. Be careful what you wish for, folks!
Mary McDonough’s Health Suffered After She Tried Breast Augmentation
Ralph Waite Tried To Enter The World Of Politics After The Show
Perhaps Ralph Waite thought the third time would be the charm. We are, of course, talking about his bid for office. He ran thrice for Congress in California as a Democrat but never won. It is possible that he failed every time because he did not utilize his celebrity status to win over more voters. Lesson learned.
Ralph Waite Tried To Enter The World Of Politics After The Show
CBS Did Not Expect The Show Would Become Such A Huge Hit
We have no idea why any network would give a show a chance (and funding!) if they were convinced it would not succeed. They even put it up against popular shows from competitors like ABC and NBC. Who knows what they were thinking? Much to their surprise, The Waltons had great ratings!
CBS Did Not Expect The Show Would Become Such A Huge Hit
The Waltons House Eventually Became The Gilmore Inn
Here is some interesting television trivia for you. The house where The Waltons lived in had been used by different shows and movies over the years. However, there was one particular show that made it their own when the series ended. It became the Dragonfly Inn, which was owned by Lorelai of Gilmore Gilrs. Although it underwent renovation, fans of the older show probably recognized it right away!
The Waltons House Eventually Became The Gilmore Inn
Creator Of The Show Earl Hamner Jr. Had Plenty Of Inspiration For It
Many artists and creators are on the lookout for constant inspiration. When it comes to the show, Earl Hamner Jr. knew exactly where to get it: his own family life! He actually had seven siblings and claimed that he was the real-life model for John-Boy. This is nothing out of the unusual in the television industry. Even Seinfeld creator Larry David modeled George after himself.
Creator Of The Show Earl Hamner Jr. Had Plenty Of Inspiration For It
The Timeline On The Show Was Not Particularly Cohesive
As we all know, you cannot live your life without messing up at one point or another. The same is true for the producers of the show. They often made inconsistencies about the character ages, anniversaries, and timeline in general. For example, John-Boy was not allowed to join the army – even though he was already 19 years old!
The Timeline On The Show Was Not Particularly Cohesive
The First John-Boy Actor Continued To Appear On The Show
The actor originally cast as John-Boy played the part for five seasons until Robert Wightman took over the role. If you thought he would not appear on the television show again, you would be mistaken. Keep your eyes peeled and you will find him playing someone else! We cannot imagine how weird it must have been for both the cast and viewers.
The First John-Boy Actor Continued To Appear On The Show
The Youngest Walton Stopped Acting And Found Her Calling
We are sure you could not have forgotten about Kami Cotler. She quit acting after the final season of The Waltons, though she did appear in the reunion movies. However, she largely turned to teaching instead. She was so good at it that she became the founding principal of a Gardena, California charter school! Aren’t you glad to hear that she found her calling in life?
The Youngest Walton Stopped Acting And Found Her Calling
Ralph Waite Officiated Jon Walmsley’s Wedding
It is fascinating to know that Ralph Waite was actually a minister! As a matter of fact, he officiated the wedding of Jon Walmsley and his bride. The ceremony happened with the whole cast in attendance. We bet it was such a pleasure to enjoy the happiest day of his life with people he worked and grew up with!
Ralph Waite Officiated Jon Walmsley’s Wedding