Richard experienced a successful theater career after leaving ” The Waltons.” In 1980, he appeared on the ” Fifth of July .” In 1993, he played the main role in ” Richard II .” He also performed in four plays at the Hartford Stage in Connecticut during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 2009-2010, Thomas appeared in the Broadway play “Race” by David Mamet. He acted alongside James Spader, Kerry Washington, and David Alan Grier.
Michael Learned - Now
After playing Mrs. Walton, Learned has continued to act. She experienced success in daytime television, playing a terminally ill cancer patient, Shirley Smith, on General Hospital . She also took over the role of Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless .
Starkly different from her T.V. character, behind the scenes on " The Waltons ," Learned was battling alcoholism abuse. Michael had three children with her first husband, actor Peter Donat. She’s currently married to lawyer John Doherty and they live together in California.
Richard Thomas - Then
Before getting cast as the star of the show, John-Boy, 20-year-old Richard Thomas already had an impressive resume, including both works on television and films. One of his first major film roles was in " Winning" in 1969, where he played alongside Paul Newman.
The role of John-Boy was based on the real-life of Earl Hamner Jr., the writer of the show. John-Boy is a contemplative character and reader who has dreams of becoming a writer. He journals his thoughts about daily life and family.
Jon Walmsley - Then
Before John Walmsley was cast as Jason Walton on "The Waltons," he voiced Christopher Robin's Winnie the Pooh cartoons. Although John-Boy and Jason Walton have very different personalities, the two brothers have a very close relationship.
In the show, Jason is passionate about music and enjoys composing music on the piano, guitar, and harmonica. In season three of the series, he studies at the Kleinberg Conservatory of Music. He also starts working at a honky-tonk tavern, playing the piano.
Jon Walmsley - Now
After finishing his long run on the show, Walmsley has put his energy towards his music career. He has composed music for " 8 Simple Rules ," " 7th Heaven ," and " Secret Life of the American Teenager ."
Throughout his time as a composer and musician, he has worked with several big musicians, including David Koz, Peter and Gordon, Merle Haggard, Richard Marx, Strawberry Alarm Clock, and co-founder of The Beach Boys, Al Jardine.