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Stories

‘The Waltons’ Actor Richard Thomas Shares Memories Of Ralph Waite

By Lauren Novak

5 years ago

Richard Thomas talks about his television parents Ralph Waite and Michael Learned from The Waltons

Richard Thomas is best known for his role of John-Boy in The Waltons. The late Ralph Waite played his father on television for years. Now, he is talking about working with Ralph and how the pair truly bonded on TV and in real life.

Ralph, unfortunately, died in 2014 at the age of 85. Richard said he really enjoyed working with Ralph and actress Michael Learned. They played his parents on television and Richard said they are wonderful actors and people.

Richard Thomas talks about his TV parents Ralph Waite and Michael Learned

Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite
A WALTON THANKSGIVING REUNION, from left: Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, 1993. /© CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

He said, “Michael and I are still very, very, very close, as all of us are. We’re still a great big family, believe it or not. We stay in touch and that circle has never been broken. But just the memory of working with all of those wonderful people, that’s the thing that makes me happiest of all.”

RELATED: Whatever Happened To Richard Thomas, John-Boy, From ‘The Waltons’?

He then talked about working with Ralph. Richard revealed, “I’d made a picture with him years before [“The Waltons”], and he was an uncompromisingly honest artist and an actor. He wanted things to be real and true. He was such a warm man with such a great sense of humor. And we really bonded. It was very easy for him. And it was easy for me to let him be my dad for all those years. I really cherish the time that we had together.”

the waltons
A WALTON EASTER, (aka A WALTON’S EASTER), from left: Ralph Waite, Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, 1997. ph: Gale M. Adler /© CBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

It is so nice to hear that The Waltons cast was just as wholesome in real life as they were on television. Who was your favorite character in The Waltons? Watch Richard talk more about his time on The Waltons below:

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  3. The Bond Between Ma And Pa Walton Was Real Between Ralph Waite And Michael Learned Often, events and relationships on screen don’t actually exist in...
  4. It’s the Battle of the Centuries: ‘The Waltons’ vs. ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Get ready to time travel! We’re heading back to the...

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