The Untold Stories Of The Waltons Cast: A Look Behind The Scenes

In an exclusive chat with Closer Weekly, the surviving actors from the legendary show The Waltons revealed some surprising secrets from the set. They opened up about the strong family bond that existed on-screen but also shared how many members of the cast were taken advantage of and underpaid during the filming of this iconic drama. It’s not just about the heartwarming stories we saw on TV—there’s a lot more to uncover.

Life behind the scenes wasn’t always as cozy as it looked. The child actors were often treated poorly, one star battled alcoholism, and despite the show’s massive popularity, the cast members were not compensated fairly. “We did not get rich from that show,” Eric Scott, who played the mischievous middle child Ben, tells Closer. He adds, “It was a lot of hard work, and we didn’t always feel appreciated.”

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Richard Thomas: The Star Who Got Special Treatment

Richard Thomas, who played the eldest son John-Boy and was one of the central figures alongside Michael Learned and Ralph Waite, received better treatment from the studio, Lorimar. While other cast members struggled with poor conditions and lack of recognition, Richard seemed to have a smoother ride. But don’t let that fool you—his journey wasn’t without its challenges.

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The Waltons cast in 1972.

Eric Scott recalls the immense pressure he felt during filming. “You had to be on your spot, say your lines perfectly, and never make things difficult,” he says. Yet, the studio rarely acknowledged their efforts. “It was disappointing that no one ever called to say, ‘By the way, thank you.’ We were loved by the public, but the studio never showed us that same appreciation,” Eric explains.

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The Forgotten Young Stars

One time, Michael Learned received a lavish bouquet of flowers from the producers, but she was shocked that nothing was sent to the young stars. “She went to the producers and said, ‘These kids have given you years of their lives, and you can’t even give them something?’” recalls Judy Norton, who played eldest daughter Mary Ellen. In response, the kids were given a small basket with just three muffins. Not exactly the gratitude they deserved, right?

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“The inside joke was that Lorimar was so tightfisted that their idea of a party was one can of beer and 13 straws!” Michael says with a chuckle. Despite the humor, it highlights the stinginess of the studio.

A Real-Life Romance That Never Was

Despite the lack of appreciation from the studio, the actors formed genuine bonds. Michael Learned and Ralph Waite, who portrayed Olivia and John Walton, shared such strong chemistry that they even tried dating. “We were both single at the time,” Michael explains. “So I drove out to Malibu, but when we met, we just looked at each other and said, ‘Nah, I don’t think so.’ So all of our romance stayed on-screen!”