Where Is the Cast of ‘The Waltons’ Now? Catch Up With the 9 Stars
Don’t say goodnight just yet, John-Boy! The Walton family returned to TV again in 2022’s A Waltons Thanksgiving, a follow-up to 2021’s The Waltons’ Homecoming, a film on The CW which marked the 50th anniversary of the TV movie that sparked The Waltons back in 1971.
The series, an Emmy-winning CBS historical drama about a Depression-era family in rural Virginia, ultimately aired nine seasons between 1972 and 1981. But the show’s popularity was so enduring that the cast reunited for six TV movies between 1982 and 1997. This latest film celebrated the 50th anniversary of when The Waltons series began in 1972.
With Thanksgiving 2025 around the corner, we’re checking in with the cast of this beloved family show. What has the cast been up to since? Scroll down and see for yourself…
Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton)
Thomas starred as FBI Special Agent Frank Gaad in The Americans between 2013 and 2016. More recently, he recurred as Deputy Director Van Cleef on NCIS: New Orleans and as Bodie Lord on Tell Me Your Secrets. He also narrated The Waltons’ Homecoming. Most recently, Thomas featured in the fourth and final season of Ozark and was in the 2021 Netflix film The Unforgivable with Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, and Jon Bernthal.
Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton)
This multi-instrumentalist has been focusing on his music career recently. In 2017, he released his first solo CD, Goin’ to Clarksdale, inspired by a trip to the Mississippi Delta as well as “the songs and artists I grew up listening to and the lyrics that have infused and often describe my own life journey,” as he explained on his website.
Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton)
Norton wrote and starred in the 2018 thriller Inclusion Criteria, alternatively titled Nowhere to Hide. In 2021, she appeared opposite other former child stars — including Dean McDermott and Danny Pintauro — in the web series The Quarantine Bunch. In 2022, she was in a film called Motorvation. She wrote and is starring in a film called Shoot Like a Girl that is currently in pre-production, per IMDb.
Mary Elizabeth McDonough (Erin Walton)
McDonough segued into a writing career post-Waltons. In fact, her book Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane became a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film of the same name, in which she had a supporting part. McDonough is also the founder of In the Know, an advocacy organization focusing on women’s health.
Eric Scott (Ben Walton)
As of 2011, Scott was running Chase Messengers, LLC, a parcel delivery service based in Encino, California. Media Village reported at the time that Scott once worked for the same business as an assistant. According to his Facebook page, he lives in Southern California and is married with three children.
David W. Harper (Jim-Bob Walton)
As of 2019, Harper was an art dealer in Los Angeles, according to the Daily Mail. Not so coincidentally, he once worked as a driver for former costar Eric Scott’s delivery service.
Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton)
Cotler was the founding principal of the Environmental Charter Middle School in Gardena, California, and as of 2015 she was the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Environmental Charter Schools, according to her bio. IMDb, meanwhile, reports that Cotler had an uncredited cameo in costar role McDonough’s Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane Hallmark movie.
Michael Learned (Olivia Walton)
In 2010, Learned played Shirley Smith on General Hospital, and the following year, she played Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless. Most recently, she appeared in the Netflix series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Ralph Waite (John Walton Sr.)
Waite died in 2014 after a five-decade acting career. Some of his last onscreen roles included Gibbs’ father on NCIS, Booth’s grandfather on Bones, and Father Matt on Days of Our Lives.
Conversation37 Comments
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G
The Waltons is iconic. One of my favorite shows of its time. The characters remind of a time where family is what matters. It's never gotten old and I tune in to the shows episodes in repeats. Takes me back to a time I always miss.
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O
I always loved the Waltons since the beginning. It reminded me of my grandma farm as we gathered together every Sunday. Now I continue to see it because it comforts me. No one can ever replace the Waltons""
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P
My mother loved it she said it was how her family was thier were 8 kids in her family plus thier grandparents .Wish family's were still like that.
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O
I have always loved the Waltons my all time favorite ❤, I'm wondering if this will be a hit or not. I wish they would bring all the Original cast back even thoughDaddy Walton died and Grandma and Grandpa are gone and lead off from the last series when Drew asked Elizabeth to Marry him. That's the last CD I have..
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R
Seems to be just a one-time movie....The Waltons is on every day on several TV stations.
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G
My mom and oldest Sister loved The Walton’s and they passed in 2000 & 2002. I am still loving watching The Walton’s reruns! This is a great family show! It will make you laugh & cry!
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P
I believed in the Walton family characters so much when I was little, I spent most of my time trying to figure out which parent the kids looked the most like. 🤣
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R
I think the original "Waltons" is timeless and 100% holds up with its superb acting and writing. The CW remake however was perhaps well-intentioned but a horrible failure in my opinion. It turned the show into a sugary sweet Hallmark movie with a musical score that never stopped blaring during the dialogue. It seemed to not understand anything about why the original series was so appealing and Emmy winning.
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R
Great to see the pics of them..... It was a wonderful show. I still watch it today. And glad the 'remake' is not with a woke cast....
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G
I've been watching the Waltons everyday in reruns. I've always enjoyed the simple, kind way of seeing life and treating others. If I can see it when the reunion plays in November, I will certainly watch it
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G
I love the Waltons can,t wait to watch the movie
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R
A time before the world got so crazy
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R
I think so also , with the original
Family with their families. I would love that. They could replace Pap and Gram . Or get New ones. I sure do miss them ! I watched them every Thursday, I was 17 when that show started. So sad when it ended.
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M
Amazon prime video has all 9 seasons, most with 25 episodes each included in their subscription. I'm on round 2 of starting over after watching all 9 seasons. It's a show that brings me back to the 70's when I was a child and now 40 years later it still fills me with warmth and love for my own family. You can shut the crazy world off and enjoy these treasures again(w/o)
Commercials!
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C
I can't get enough of the Walton's!!! I've read the books and even have a ventage book. Love it!!
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J
The actor who played John-Boy in the remake was way too old. His character was supposed to be about 16 or 17, but this guy looked like he's at least 25.
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O
I'm now 62 years old. In the seventys this was the way we wanted to grow up as , respectful, and family values.
And caring for the community. We knew every family on our estate, black white it didn't matter. Now the generation of the 2020 don't have any respect for anything.
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P
This world sure became crazy.
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M
Amazon prime video subscription has all 9 seasons ( 25 episodes each) included. This show was my favorite growing up and even now watching it surrounds me with comfort. I watched all 9 seasons and I'm going back and am currently on season 2 ,working my way through...it can never be remade or replaced with new actors it was truly a hit bc of WHEN it was popular and WHO was cast in it. I Was a bit distracted when the parents were gone and replaced by the woman who took care of everyone. Just that little change of cast changed the whole dynamic of the show. The hundreds of hours in the previous seasons are well worth the price of Amazon
I got rid of cable and just stream. It's a lot cheaper and with NO ADS ITS AWESOME!
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B
We still use the names at bedtime, good nite johnboy,Mary Ellen, Grandpa grandma. Even my grown up kids and grandkids do it.. iconic show.❤️
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P
I always watched this with my dad. He lived through the Depression. I love that show still watch it today!
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R
My daughter just bought me the whole complete seasons of The Waltons for Christmas I am watching it right now it's going to take me awhile to go through the whole seasons but I enjoy The Waltons I watched it when I was a little girl I was like 12 and I loved every part of it it makes you feel like everybody should be like The Waltons kind generous and always caring for each other no swearing no cussing just goodness in them why Jesus is right there with him love you well and people thanks for making this show now I get to watch it again since many many years thanks a lot bye my name is Nancy
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E
Impossible to create a better family series!
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T
I watch the Waltons re-runs all the time! Recording every episode to watch over and over again! It makes me feel like everything is going to be alright in this crazy world. It warms my heart So So Much!! It also reminds me of my upbringing. I’ve been watching these reruns for 15 yrs now. I’m 67 yrs old today.
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E
There was craziness back then, as well. There just wasn't easy access to information.
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J
Could watch the waltons forever very good
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D
There has never been a more meaningful family program. Life is full of ups and downs and to experience each with a close knit family is a gift. If more families stayed as true, caring and loving as the Waltons this world would be a much better place to live. There is nothing like a close knit family. I watch the Waltons everyday and enjoy each and every hour as I did when the program started.
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P
I always loved the Leave it to Beaver show as well! I used to watch that show when I was in the 3rd grade.
I still watch it when I can! I had a crush on Ward Cleaver! LOL
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P
I always loved the Waltons! And still do!
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S
Surprising that grandma and grandpa Walton were both gay. Growing up watching them who would of thought it
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D
I have loved the Waltons while growing up and watch the reruns still today. It instilled great values on how families came together during good times and bad times. When the episodes were about one person, it reminded us all that life is not all about yourselves, it’s about everyone. They taught me some valuable lessons in life and I thank them all for the person they made me today. Even though it was a tv show. Thank you Cast one and all!
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O
I’m almost 68 and I actually knew some family’s like the Waltons back when I was a kid. Big family’s that stuck together and would accept you as one of them and show you the love of a big family God fearing people. They didn’t have much but each other and that was enough. Oh how I long for those days since I’m Older now!!
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B
I loved it
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R
I wish they would make more shows like The Walton's. I loved that show,in fact I still watch it every day. I think we should have more shows like that instead of this crap they have on . Reality TV !!¡ Yuk
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P
I loved the remake of The Walton’s Homecoming. But… where was Ben Walton? He was the only child that wasn’t casted apparently. But why?? And, why didn’t Grandma and Grandpa Walton live with John and Olivia and the kids? Hmmmm….
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G
Oh - that was a mess - a train wreck (bus wreck).... No thanks...
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B
What happened to Jim Bob? He looks awful. He was so cute too. Jason looks horrible too.
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