“They will say ‘John-Boy dies’ in the news when I’m gone,” says Richard. That enduring familial affection, along with the pride of belonging to a show that resonated with viewers all around the world, makes everyone who was part of The Waltons feel privileged to have played a part in the show. MUST SEE: Check out All the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Kids Who Have Children of Their Own “He said, ‘I sat there one day at the kitchen table with all you kids and I felt like such a fake.’ He took himself to AA and got sober.”
“He credited the show for being the reason he got sober,” recalls Judy.
Night changes behind the scenes series#
Ralph, who had a reputation as a serious stage actor with no great love for children when the series debuted, probably experienced the biggest life change after falling in love with the rest of the Waltons cast. “So I drove out to Malibu, but we just looked at each other and said, ‘Nah, I don’t think so.’ So all of our lovemaking was on-screen!” Particularly to Michael and Ralph, whose chemistry as Olivia and John was real enough for them to try dating each other. “The running joke was that Lorimar was so cheap that their idea of a party was one can of beer and 13 straws!” Michael tells Closer with a laugh.ĭespite their feelings for the studio, there was genuine love among all the actors. MORE: The Waltons Richard Thomas on Early Fame, “I Don’t Know How Young Stars Today Survive!” “We ended up getting a little muffin basket with, like, three muffins in it.” “She went to the producers and said, ‘These kids have given you years of their lives and you can’t even get them something?’” remembers Judy Norton, who played eldest daughter Mary Ellen. One time, Michael was gifted with a large arrangement of flowers from the producers, but she was aghast that nothing was sent to the young stars.
“It was disappointing that no one even called to say, ‘By the way, thank you.’ We were loved by the public, but we never felt the studio appreciated us.”
Eric recalls “intense pressure” to “be on your spot, say your lines” and “don’t make it difficult,” but never received encouragement from the studio.