CBS’s hit series The Waltons told the story of a tight-knit family making do during the Great Depression. The show, which premiered in 1972 and ran until 1981, was based on creator Earl Hamner Jr.’s experiences growing up in rural Virginia in the 1930s. It made stars out of its cast, including Michael Learned, who played family matriarch Olivia Walton, and Richard Thomas, who portrayed the eldest Walton son, John-Boy. But what have Learned, Thomas, and the rest of cast been up to since the show ended? Keep reading for an update on the surviving Waltons cast members and what they doing now.
Michael Learned recently appeared in ‘Dahmer’ on Netflix Michael Learned | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images;Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Michael Learned was acting in a play in San Francisco when she landed the role of Olivia Walton in The Waltons. After leaving the show, she went on...
Michael Learned recently appeared in ‘Dahmer’ on Netflix Michael Learned | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images;Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Michael Learned was acting in a play in San Francisco when she landed the role of Olivia Walton in The Waltons. After leaving the show, she went on...
- 4/22/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Waltons is a classic American drama that ran for nine seasons on television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with a number of television specials in the early 1990s. The show helped make some of the actors household names, including Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy Walton.
Richard Thomas as John Boy | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
However, many of the child actors on the show have spoken out in recent years to let the world know that they were not adequately compensated for their work on the show, leading many of them to have a lower net worth than other child actors of the era and find work outside of Hollywood since the end of the series.
‘The Waltons’ is a classic family television show
The Waltons premiered in September 1972 and featured a Great Depression-era family living in the mountains of Virginia. The family consisted of a set of grandparents,...
Richard Thomas as John Boy | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
However, many of the child actors on the show have spoken out in recent years to let the world know that they were not adequately compensated for their work on the show, leading many of them to have a lower net worth than other child actors of the era and find work outside of Hollywood since the end of the series.
‘The Waltons’ is a classic family television show
The Waltons premiered in September 1972 and featured a Great Depression-era family living in the mountains of Virginia. The family consisted of a set of grandparents,...
- 3/4/2023
- by Terri Deno
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mary McDonough spent her formative years portraying Erin Walton on the popular CBS series The Waltons. After the show ended in 1981, the one-time child actor wanted to transition into more adult roles. But she soon discovered that she wasn’t exactly what casting directors were looking for. In an effort to boost her career, she decided to get breast implants. It was a decision she later came to regret.
Mary McDonough struggled to find work after ‘The Waltons’ was canceled [L-r] Mary McDonough in 1984; McDonough and Will Geer on ‘The Waltons’ | Getty Images; CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
McDonough had spent years as a major character on a popular TV show. But that didn’t count for much when she tried to land new roles after The Waltons ended.
“I was typecast as the ‘all-American girl,’” she recalled in her 2011 memoir Lessons From the Mountain. The actor, who had long struggled with her body image,...
Mary McDonough struggled to find work after ‘The Waltons’ was canceled [L-r] Mary McDonough in 1984; McDonough and Will Geer on ‘The Waltons’ | Getty Images; CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
McDonough had spent years as a major character on a popular TV show. But that didn’t count for much when she tried to land new roles after The Waltons ended.
“I was typecast as the ‘all-American girl,’” she recalled in her 2011 memoir Lessons From the Mountain. The actor, who had long struggled with her body image,...
- 2/5/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Stars in the House continues tonight 8pm for a reunion of The Waltons The hosts will welcome Mary Beth McDonough Erin Walton, Eric Scott Ben Walton, Kami Cotler Elizabeth Walton, Judy Norton Mary Ellen Walton, Michael Learned Olivia Walton, and Richard Thomas John-Boy Walton to reminisce about their time on the iconic 70s drama series, which took viewers on a journey through the family's lives for nine seasons.
- 1/7/2021
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Don’t say “Good night, John-Boy” just yet. The cast of The Waltons will come together for the first Stars in the House reunion of 2021.
Nearly every one of the surviving original cast members will join Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley for the January 7 episode of the Actors Fund benefit series on YouTube. Set for the virtual get-together are Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton), Michael Learned (Olivia Walton), Mary Beth McDonough (Erin Walton), Eric Scott (Ben Walton), Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton) and Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton). That leaves just two absentee brothers: Jon Walmsley, who played Jason Walton, and David W. Harper, who played Jim-Bob Walton.
The cast is expected to reminisce about their time on the iconic 1970s family drama and answer fan questions.
The Waltons actors are the latest to appear on the YouTube series that raises money for the Covid-19 efforts of the Actors Fund. Previous reunions include Knots Landing,...
Nearly every one of the surviving original cast members will join Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley for the January 7 episode of the Actors Fund benefit series on YouTube. Set for the virtual get-together are Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton), Michael Learned (Olivia Walton), Mary Beth McDonough (Erin Walton), Eric Scott (Ben Walton), Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton) and Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton). That leaves just two absentee brothers: Jon Walmsley, who played Jason Walton, and David W. Harper, who played Jim-Bob Walton.
The cast is expected to reminisce about their time on the iconic 1970s family drama and answer fan questions.
The Waltons actors are the latest to appear on the YouTube series that raises money for the Covid-19 efforts of the Actors Fund. Previous reunions include Knots Landing,...
- 1/4/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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