‘The Waltons’ Cast Then And Now 2020

5. Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton) 

You’ll remember Jason Walton for his musical additions to the show. Jon Walmsley, the second oldest brother in The Waltons, had a beautiful voice that helped his popularity on the show, and one that he has continued to nourish today. Perhaps he was influenced by playing alongside Merle Haggard in an episode of The Waltons. Jon also performed a tribute to Merle at the 45th Anniversary Walton Weekend.

Fun fact: he also originated the Christopher Robin voice for the Winnie the Pooh cartoons! His last acting credit was back in 2009, & 2010 when he lent his voice for two Christmas TV Movies. Most of his focus has been on his musical career, He has composed and published around 13 albums, most recently Goin To Clarksdale in 2017.

6. Ralph Waite (John Walton Sr.)

Now Papa Walton is perhaps the most successful actor from this timeless TV series. Although he didn’t begin acting until age 30, he began gaining work on the stage in New York City. After the move to LA, he landed a few small roles, including one in the incredible film, Cool Hand Luke.

After that, it was a busy acting schedule until he landed the role of John Walton Sr. which changed his life, as well as ours, forever. No really, Ralph was struggling with alcohol addiction and has stated that the role of the pleasant and doting father John helped him to overcome his demons. He joined AA and remained sober for the rest of his days.

After The Waltons, Waite had numerous TV shows and movies lined up for him. He had learned how to direct on the set of The Waltons, where he directed 16 episodes. It’s pretty interesting how similar he and Michael Landon of Little House on the Prairie were. Both struggled with alcohol, and both learned how to direct TV while on the set of their show that they also championed as the parental leads. If you haven’t checked out our other videos, we have a great Little House Then & Now as well as a Michael Landon Deep-Dive. 

Back to the family at hand. After hanging up his John Walton Sr. shoes, Ralph never stopped acting for even a second. He was multi-talented as he worked as an actor, director, and even a writer for projects spanning almost 4 decades. From 2009 until he passed away in 2014 at age 85, he was still going at it, in 98 Episodes of Days of Our Lives as Father Matt. Ralph also tried his luck in politics by running for Congress three times, as he stated he was, quote, “ready to contribute something on the national level.” He was a good man who did not take credit for much, even when he deserved it.

7. Miss Michael Learned (Olivia Walton)

The mother of the Walton clan’s story is similar to that of the father’s. She was working in San Francisco doing stage-acting at ACT until a television producer saw her work and cast her in his new family series, you guessed it, The Waltons. The actress was originally billed in the credits as Miss Michael Learned, as the name is usually aligned with men. She grew up on a rustic farm being the eldest of six sisters which led to her believability as the matriarch of this mountain-family. Even though she was only 11 years older than Richard Thomas, who played her oldest child John-Boy on “The Waltons,” she really anchored the show as Olivia Walton. Her performance garnered widespread respect and landed her three Emmy Awards. So, you would think by this time people would know her name. Well, think again!

As a result of her hardware, she was in high-demand after The Waltons’ success. She made appearances in Gunsmoke and later came back fully to TV with Nurse, for which she took home a fourth Emmy Award win.

Her most recent acting credit was in 2019 for a short called Second Acts which you can find on Amazon Prime. At 81 years old, she voiced her support for nurses and caregivers amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying, “[I’m] very sad for the people who have died and for their families. I’m proud of the nurses and caregivers who are getting the praise they so richly deserve, now and always.”

8. Eric Scott (Ben Walton)

This third youngest child was known for being mutinous in the show. If you smelled trouble, you knew it was most likely Benjamin behind it. Post The Waltons, Scott, who now lives in L.A. and no longer acts regularly but is a part of all Walton’s reunions, including acting in A Walton Easter in 1997.

Perhaps due to the work ethic taught in The Waltons, Eric has really created a life for himself outside of the spotlight. He presides over a family of three and a flourishing parcel delivery service which he now owns after decades ago first being hired as an assistant. Good on, ya Ben. 

9. Will Geer (Zebulon “Grandpa” Walton)

The eldest in the family, Grandpa, had been a Hollywood powerhouse for decades already, acting since 1932! And boy 40 years after his first credit, Grandpa Walton struck gold, because along with the creation of The Waltons, he co-starred alongside Robert Redford in the film, Jeremiah Johnson.

His role as grandpa Walton awarded Geer much deserved praise, as he was also nominated for 6 Emmys and won one. Geer passed away in 1978 due to respiratory conditions so his timeline doesn’t go farther than that of Grandpa Walton. But, boy, did he have an impact on that show. He would often contribute ideas of his own to the show, one instance being in the episode, “The Star,” where Grandpa saw a falling star. Geer proposed using a Mark Twain line and showrunners agreed, Grandpa says, “I came in with Haley’s comet and I’ll go out with Haley’s comet.”

10. Ellen Corby (Esther “Grandma” Walton)

Grandma Walton, played by Ellen Corby, appeared in the show for five seasons. She really was the perfect choice to play a hardened but lovable Grandma, as she went through struggles as a young actress. She would sit in front of RKO Studios from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM every day pleading for work. Weeks later, someone finally gave her a job as a script reader.

She really did work herself from the parking lot to the Emmys, where she took home 3 awards for her work on The Waltons. Overall, Ellen has 265 acting credits to her name. She was really a television powerhouse, appearing in nearly every show out there, from Lassie to Hawaii 5-0. But she does make a few appearances in movies, one being early in her career with a little uncredited role in It’s A Wonderful Life. 

11. Mary Elizabeth McDonough (Erin Walton)

The second oldest daughter turned her Waltons’ success into a life-long endeavor. The Pilot movie was her very first acting audition, and ten years later she was an experienced Walton and actress. McDonough continued to work in Hollywood and had roles on The Love Boat, Will and Grace, and had a sizable role in The New Adventures of Old Christine.

What makes her even more remarkable is the fact that she continues to work devotedly despite suffering from lupus, an immune disorder. Most recently in 2018, she took on a very personal and triumphant project as she turned her own novel into a Hallmark movie, Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane, in which she also co-starred in the holiday film.

Well, that was a wonderful trip down memory mountain. I can’t believe it’s been over 40 years since we watched The Waltons series end. Who was your favorite character on The Waltons?