Let’s Talk Legends-Walton

08/22/2025

08/22/2025

Richard Thomas, Will Geer, Judy Norton, Ellen Corby, Kami Cotler, David W. Harper, Michael Learned, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Ralph Waite, and Jon Walmsley in The Waltons (1972)

08/21/2025

Ralph Waite born 22 Jun 1928 to 13 Feb 2014 (aged 85) Palm Desert, Riverside County, California, USA

Actor. He will be best remembered for playing 'John Walton,' patriarch of the Walton family in the TV series "The Waltons" (1972 to 1981). Following high school, he served with the United States Marine Corps shortly after World War II (WWII). He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bucknell University and later attended Yale's Divinity School which resulted in his being ordained a Presbyterian minister. He landed a position as a religious editor for the publisher Harper & Row and took an interest in liberal politics. Acting also became an important part in Waite's life and after experiencing a role in the Off-Broadway play "The Balcony" in 1960, he marked his Broadway debut in the production of "Marathon 33" (1963 to 1964). His break in motion pictures happened when he was cast for the part of 'Alibi' in the Paul Newman vehicle "Cool Hand Luke" (1967). Although his career in entertainment was now ascending, his personal issues mounted. He had for a period struggled with alcohol abuse and in 1964, he lost his nine-year old daughter to leukemia. In 1970, he appeared opposite Jack Nicholson in "Five Easy Pieces." His other notable films include: "A Lovely Way to Die" (1968), "The Pursuit of Happiness" (1971), "Lawman" (1971), "The Grissom Gang" (1971), "Chato's Land" (1972), "The Magnificent Seven Ride!" (1972), "Trouble Man" (1972), "Kid Blue" (1973), "The Stone Killer" (1973), "The Bodyguard" (1992), "Cliffhanger" (1993), "Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco" (1996), "Sunshine State" (2002) and "Silver City" (2004). In 1977, he received an Emmy Award nomination for the miniseries "Roots" and in 1978, he earned an Emmy Award nomination for "The Waltons." He went on to star in the TV series "The Mississippi" (1984) and was a cast member in "Carnivàle" (2003 to 2005) and the soap opera "Days of Our Lives" (2009 to 2013). From 2008 until 2013, he had a recurring role as 'Jackson Gibbs' in the TV series "NCIS," and from 2009 to 2013, he had a recurring role as 'Hank Booth' in the TV show "Bones."

Bio by: C.S.

08/21/2025

William Aughe Ghere (Will Geer ) 9 Mar 1902-22 Apr 1978 (aged 76)Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA!

Actor. He is best remembered for his role of 'Zebulon "Grandpa" Walton' on the television series, "The Waltons" (1972 to 1981; his death was written into the drama in a special two hour episode, "The Empty Nest").

Born William Aughe Ghere in Frankfort, Indiana, he studied botany, obtaining a BS degree at the University of Chicago and an MS degree from Columbia University, but found acting to be his true love. He began with a touring company, and over the course of sixty years, acted on Broadway, in movies, and on television, including Shakespearean roles and one-person performances as Walt Whitman and Mark Twain. He changed his last name from Ghere to Geer, because it "was simpler to spell."

However, few persons knew of his lifelong role of political agitator and radical. As a young man, he was a friend of Harry Hay, who later became a Communist radical and founded the first large gay activist organization, the Mattachine Society. His interests resulted in his being blacklisted in Hollywood in 1951, by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

During those difficult times of unemployment, he built the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, California, as an acting haven for himself and many of his fellow blacklisted actors. There, he not only did plays and coached actors, but held political and philosophical discussions, and folk singing.

After the end of McCarthyism, he played small roles in such movies as: "Advise and Consent" (1962), "The Crucible" (1967), "In Cold Blood" (1967), "The Reivers" (1969), "Jeremiah Johnson" (1972), "Executive Action" (1973), and made numerous television appearances. At times, his personal political philosophy was difficult to pin down (other than liberal), and it often appeared that he preferred to just be an agitator, to shake things up, and to get people to rethink their own political positions on issues of the day.

At his death bed, it is reported that his family sang, "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie and recited Robert Frost poems. He once described himself as: "I am a lifelong agitator, a radical. A rebel is just against things for rebellion's sake. By radical, I mean someone who goes to the roots."

Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson

08/18/2025

The Waltons Reunion ❤😍🩷

08/12/2025

Richard Thomas aka John-Boy and Eric Scott aka Ben Walton! Both of you truly are like brothers in every way. It's so nice to see you guys together.

08/12/2025

A Very Happy Birthday To You 🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🌟⭐️🌟💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖. 📺. You Are A Very Very Talented Actress.

08/12/2025

Ralph asks, "Did the GE refrigerator that Jim-Bob got from Mrs. Brimmer actually work in real life?" It may have, but I wouldn't know because nothing in the kitchen ever had to work in real life, as nothing was ever cooked in the kitchen. The prop department had a small kitchen that stood a few steps away from the kitchen set, through the mysterious door to the right of the stove. The stove was a real woodstove, but it was not lit when we cooked on it. The few times you saw flames in the stove they came from a gas pipe that was rigged for that particular scene. I hadn't remembered that they upgraded the refrigerator for later seasons, and I wonder if that's because as I got older I didn't really play on the sets. As a little kid, if I'd finished with my three hours of school, I would entertain myself by playing on the sets we weren't using. I know the little coffee grinder in the kitchen worked because I would pinch coffee beans from the big grinder on the Godsey's store set and grind them in it. I was fascinated with the meat grinder when I was little and loved turning the handle and watching the metal grinder move.

08/12/2025

I wanted to let you all know that Lynn Hamilton passed away in her sleep. She was 95. She was a treasure to us all. G'night Verdie.

08/11/2025

So Lucky Richard Thomas and ex-wife Alma Gonzales have four children: Richard Scott Earl Francis "Francisco" Thomas III (son, born 1976); Barbara-Ayala, Gweneth, and Pilar Alma (triplet daughters, born 8/26/1981). All four of Richard's kids appeared with him in a number of commercials for Minute Maid.
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08/11/2025

In the beloved TV series "The Waltons," John Walton's family history includes a poignant connection to World War I. His brother, Ben, who did not return from the war, left a lasting impact on the family. John honored his brother's memory by naming his fourth child, Benjamin "Ben" Walton, after him. This naming reflects the family's deep respect for their past and the sacrifices made during wartime. The show often explores themes of family, history, and resilience, making this personal connection a meaningful part of its narrative.
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08/11/2025

Well! Richard Thomas left The Waltons (1972) at the end of the fifth season because he only signed a 5-year contract. He planned to pursue other acting opportunities. The Achievement (1977) was his last episode but he did make a comeback in Season 6 and the last three family television reunions.
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