As was normal back in the 70s, the younger cast members feel that they were often underappreciated and taken advantage of during filming. The young actor Eric Scott, stated, “We didn’t get paid well on that show.” Eric Scott struggled to find acting work after the show ended, and the only job he could find was as a courier.
He worked hard and climbed the ladder and eventually went on to run the company. David Harper also couldn’t find work after “The Waltons” and worked as a crew member behind the scenes.
Reunion for Earl Hammer
In 2016, the show's creator Earl Hammer passed away after his battle with cancer at the age of 92. To commemorate his life and work, the show aired a reunion of the CBS drama from 2013.
Some people may think the show was overly sentimental but this is exactly what made the show so groundbreaking, the fact that is was wholesome and honored family values.
Grandma had a girlfriend
Here’s something that would have caused quite the stir within the Walton family; Grandma was gay! Ellen Corby played Esther Walton in the show and took home three Emmy awards for her performance. She married her husband, Francis Corby, in 1934 and the two never had children, eventually divorcing in 1944.
Well, turns out that Ellen had a female partner of 45 years who lived with her up until her death in 1999. It was known in Hollywood that the two ladies were more than just friends. Ellen’s final words were to her girlfriend, Stella Luchetta, and they were “I love you.”
The Walton's Mountain
The “Walton’s Mountain” was actually shot in the Hollywood Hills south of the Warner Bros property. The exterior of the family home was also located on the studio lot. The original Walton home was set aflame by a disgruntled crew worker, back in 1991.
Warner Bros decided to rebuild the house to use in the Walton reunion special that aired in 1993.
Earl Hamner's House Was Bought By Fans
Earl Hamner's home that served as the basis for the TV show "The Waltons" has been bought by long-time Walton enthusiast Carole Johnson. The Hamner home has been preserved for viewings and will remain open to the public.
For fans interested, there are guided tours, as well as new items on display that bridge the gap between the real home and how it was depicted on the TV show.