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.
Underpaid
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.
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.
'The Waltons' Brought The End Of Flip Wilson's Show
The boisterous comedian’s talk show had reigned in second-place in television ratings for four consecutive years when "The Waltons" premiered and became a surprising success, beating Flip out of the top 30 and securing their spot in second place.
Rather than let his show carry on and suffer from the competition, Flip Wilson sadly announced that it would be their last season.
The Kids Helped Ralph Get A Fresh Start
Judy Norton, who played the eldest daughter, Mary Ellen Walton, said in an interview that the cast of the children softened their fictional father’s heart in reality and helped him finally battle the inner demons he’d been carrying for years.
“He said, ‘I sat there one day at the kitchen table with all you kids and I felt like such a phony.’ He took himself to AA and got sober,” she revealed.