‘The Waltons’: What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years

Over fifty years after “The Waltons” went off air, its stars chose to lead different lives. Take a look at what happened to America’s favorite TV family after taking a bow from the iconic show.

“The Waltons” was a staple TV series in the 1970s and 1980s, revolving around a close-knit family in rural Virgina during the time of the Great Depression and World War II. The historical drama was loved by millions of viewers, with each episode being highly-anticipated.

With so much of their lives poured into the show, its actors chose to lead different lives when it ended in 1981. There were many who went on to have successful show business careers, while others chose to shy away from the industry altogether.

Thanks to their large band of loyal fans, the show went on to have six television movie adaptations after the series ended. While most of its cast members joined together again for these TV movies, some of the actors chose to shy away from other projects altogether.

Judy Norton as Mary Ellen Walton

Judy Norton | Source: Getty Images / Instagram.com/Judy Norton

Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen Walton on the show, chose to pursue a career in the entertainment industry when the show ended. However, it wasn’t easy for her, and she acknowledged that she faced the challenge that many child stars faced in Hollywood: being typecasted.

A couple of years after “The Waltons” ended, Norton shocked the world when she decided to let go of her “good girl” image to pose for Playboy in their 1985 spread. While it removed the typecast people imposed on her, it was a decision she ultimately regretted.

Until today, Norton has not stopped acting. She even dove into producing and writing, as she wrote, produced, and starred in the psychological drama “Inclusion Criteria” back in 2018.

Norton credits getting older as her inspiration to widen her horizon, which meant working both on-screen and off-srceen. “I guess, at my core, I’m an artist,” she concluded.

Mary Beth McDonough as Erin Esther Walton

Mary Beth McDonough | Source: Facebook.com/TheWaltonsTV / Instagram.com/Mary McDonough

After joining the show when she was 11, Mary McDonough grew up in front of their viewers’ eyes. However, it didn’t come easy for her, as she was called “fat” while on the series, and it gave her body image issues.

Despite this, McDonough carried on to become a successful actress, appearing on well-loved programs like “The West Wing” and “Will & Grace,” among others. Unfortunately, after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she had to put her acting career on pause.

In recent times, McDonough has been devoting a lot of her time to her family. She also enjoys cooking for them, often sharing her “comfort food” creations on Instagram for her fans to see.

Kami Cotler as Elizabeth Walton

Kami Cotler | Source: Getty Images / Facebook.com/Kami Cotler

After starring on “The Waltons,” Kami Cotler chose to stop acting so that she could study. She graduated from the University of California, Berkley, with a degree in Social Sciences.

Cotler became a teacher, ironically working in a rural Virginia school, similar to what her character attended on the show. She went on to start her own educational consulting business after retiring as a teacher.

Although Cotler chose to left the entertainment industry, she became known for her character Elizabeth Walton. For years, she avoided wearing braids because people associated it to her character so much.

However, in some instances, she’d still choose to wear braids because she claims she has “unruly hair.” As she got older, she stopped caring about what other people thought about her wearing braids like her character.

Jon Walmsley as Jason Walton

Jon Walmsley | Source: Getty Images / Facebook.com/Jon Walmsley

Aside from playing Jason on “The Waltons,” Jon Walmsley became known worldwide as the voice of Christopher Robin on Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” cartoons. Despite this, not a lot of people now recognize him, as he’s chosen to live a secluded life in North Cornwall with his wife Marion.

After playing Jason, Walmsley chose to pursue a career in the music industry instead, forming a band called “The U.K. Beat” in 2002. Their music is inspired by the 1960s British rock invasion, which drew Walmsley to enjoy music when he was a child.

Michael Learned as Olivia Walton

Michael Learned | Source: Getty Images

Michael Learned’s personal life was a lot more turbulent than that of her TV character. She battled alcohol addiction before landing the role of Olivia Walton and was a single mother to three children after her marriage to actor Peter Donat didn’t work out. Ultimately, Learned was married four times in total.

“The Waltons” was a fresh start for Learned, and her stellar portrayal of her character won her three Emmy Awards. Until today, she continues to work, having recently starred in the theater version of “Driving Miss Daisy” in Philadelphia.

In 2017, Learned went on “Loose Women” to talk about her time on the show. There, she admitted that “The Waltons” saved her financially, as she was a recently-divorced woman and a single mother when she landed the role.

Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton

Richard Thomas | Source: Getty Images

Richard Thomas played John-Boy Walton, a character inspired by the show’s writer, Earl Hamner Jr. He was an aspiring young writer well-loved by the audience. Even in most recent years, he admitted people still shout the catchphrase “goodnight John-Boy” at him whenever they encounter him in public.

After the show, Thomas went on to have a successful theater career. He is a proud dad to five kids and is happily married to his second wife, Georgiana Bischoff.

David W. Harper as James Robert Walton

David W. Harper | Source: Facebook.com/TheWaltonsTV / Getty Images

David W. Harper quit acting after starring as James Robert Walton on the show. He had several jobs afterward, including working for co-star Eric Scott’s transport company as a driver.

Looking back, Harper realized how unique his childhood was, having been surrounded by adults a lot because they were filming the series. Despite this, he shared he’s “pleased to have been on the show.”

After working several jobs, Harper went to school to study business. He still resides near Hollywood, but has chosen to stay away from the studios. He lives a private life, and is very spiritual. However, when asked if he was open to acting in movies again, David replied, “maybe.”

Eric Scott as Benjamin Walton

Eric Scott | Source: Getty Images / Facebook.com/Eric Scott

Another actor who stepped away from the spotlight after “The Waltons” is Eric Scott, who works as the vice president of Chase Messengers, a Los Angeles-based parcel delivery company. Although being an actor gave him a great source of income, he ultimately left that life to become a businessman.

Despite finding success in his career, Scott suffered a great loss when his terminally-ill wife, Theresa, died of leukemia just two days after giving birth to their daughter. He had to raise his daughter Ashley alone while grieving the loss of his partner.

Earl Hamner Jr., as The Narrator

Earl Hamner Jr. | Source: Getty Images

Earl Hamner Jr., the mind behind “The Waltons,” died in 2016. He was the narrator, and the real-life inspiration for the role of John-Boy. “The Waltons” was inspired by his own family, having had seven siblings.

Years later, Hamner’s house, which was the basis for the show, was purchased by Carole Johnson, an avid fan of the show. She preserved the show for viewings, and remains open to the public.

Ralph Waite as John Walton, Sr.

Ralph Waite | Source: Getty Images

Waite, who starred as John Walton Sr., was suffering from alcohol addiction before landing the role on the hit show. He credits his character as a pleasant dad for helping him overcome his addictions.

Waite joined Alcoholics Anonymous, and vowed to remain sober until his death on February 13, 2014, in California. He lived a full life, having been married three times.

He was also very vocal politically, using his broad audience to express his views. However, while he tried to have a career in politics by running for congress three times, he never made it.

Joe Conley as Ike Godsey

Joe Conley | Source: facebook.com/TheWaltonsTV / Getty Images

When the show ended in 1981, Joe Conley chose to live a more private life. He rarely made appearances on other projects, save for the TV film adaptions of “The Waltons,” where he reprised his role. His last on-screen appearance was in 2001, for the movie “Blind Obsession.”

For most of his later life, Conley suffered from dementia. He succumbed to his illness and died at the age of 85 in 2013.

Ellen Corby as Esther Walton

Ellen Corby | Source: Facebook.com/TheWaltonsTV / Getty Images

Ellen Corby played Grandma Esther Walton on the show for five seasons. Before landing the role, she struggled to find work as an actress and would sit in front of RKO Studios from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., asking them to give her a job.

Weeks later, she landed a job as a script reader. which paved the way for her. From begging for a job on the parking lot, she became an Emmy Award winning actress for her role on “The Waltons.”

Until her death, Ellen was in a loving relationship with her female partner of 45 years, Stella Luchetta. Her final words before dying in 1999 were for her when she said, “I love you.”

In the 1970s, Ellen suffered a stroke. This was eventually written into the show because she wanted to continue acting. Despite her health declining, she continued to work.

Corby is credited for over 260 acting roles, with her final project being the spinoff “A Walton Easter.” The movie premiered two years before she passed away.

“The Waltons” was pivotal in the lives of many of its stars. It either catapulted them to fame, or made them realize that they’d rather live a quiet life away from the spotlight. Regardless, the show’s cast members remained in touch through the years and recently even celebrated the show’s 50th anniversary.