The series was based upon the book "Spencer's Mountain" by Earl Hamner Jr., who also narrated each show. 'Waltons' star Michael Learned says she and TV husband Ralph Waite 'were in love' Michael Learned admitted the on-screen chemistry she shared with screen husband Ralph Waite in "The Waltons" was the real deal. Virginia is only ever depicted on screen as a baby (in the show's final two seasons . Six years older than the next sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to by the younger children. For nine seasons the actor played John Walton, Sr., a father of seven . He has been married to Georgiana Bischoff since November 20, 1994. The final episode had John-Boy in New York, trying to sell his book. Cindy is a very sweet and supportive wife to Ben, mother to Virginia . Not many people remember it from the original airing. She was born during "The Idol" (s8/e15 ) and died in 1961. The Waltons was a classic American drama that followed the life of a tight-knit family during the Great Depression and World War II. Virginia Walton was only ever depicted on screen as a baby (in the show's final two seasons) and a toddler in the 1982 reunion special Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain.Aanhangers het egter agtergekom dat sy op 17 -jarige ouderdom gesterf het in die vierde TV -film, A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion. On top of the series, which aired from 1972 to 1981, there were also several films with the cast in . At the end of the first season, the show's producers gave viewers a scare after she contracted polio. Each Walton child was based on his real-life siblings. The series, which aired from 1972 to 1981, is told from the perspective of John Walton Jr. (aka "John-Boy"), who lived with his parents, grandparents, and six siblings in the fictitious Virginia community of Walton's Mountain during the Great Depression and World War II. 25 names. After the last "Goodnight, John-Boy" rang out from Walton's Mountain, whatever happened to the young cast of the long-running hit series? From the left: Brothers Bill (Ben), Paul (Ben), cousin Janet, sisters Nancy (Elizabeth), Marian (Mary Ellen . Lies the small town of Schulyer, Virginia, home of the Hamner family - the real-life family on which the Waltons were based. Membership in "The Friends Of The Waltons" supports the work of Walton's Mountain Museum in promoting the family values represented by the TV series. The pilot episode of "The Waltons" was actually a 1971 made-for-TV movie called "The Homecoming . Visit to Walton's Mountain Museum in Virginia takes tourists back in time with 'The Waltons' TV show memorabilia.Housed in Schuyler's former elementary school, Walton's Mountain Museum recreates life in depression-era rural Virginia. What part of Virginia did the Waltons live? • A Wedding on Waltons' Mountain, February 22, 1982 • Mother's Day on Waltons . Re. The much-loved family drama ran from 1971 to 1981 (with three subsequent movie spin-offs) and was aired on CBS and the BBC in the UK. Life and Sudden Death of 'The Waltons' Grandpa Will Geer. Come, visit the 'real' home of it's creator, author Earl Hamner Jr., the 'real . It even has the rumble seat. This happened during a Mother\'s Day on Waltons Mountain special. She has a younger brother, Charles Walton. Yes, there is a slate mine as well. More popularly known as The Waltons House, Hamner House is the childhood home of Earl Hamner, Jr., novelist and creator of the TV series, The Waltons. The show was set in rural Virginia just as the Great Depression began to change the United States forever. Image results: what happened to virginia on the waltons Top 11 News results. Olivia Walton was a much-loved character in The Waltons. For many Americans who have never even visited the beautiful state of Virginia, Virginia still feels a bit like home thanks to the beloved story of a family called The Waltons.. "The Waltons" aired for nine seasons, between 1972 and 1981, on CBS. But at the time, The Waltons earned the title of the best TV series at the time. The Waltons followed the "Walton" family of Virginia for nine seasons set in the 1930s and '40s. The show originally airs from 1971 to 1981, but it was just as she landed the role that makes the most impact on Michael's life. While she only had a few appearances on the show (16 in total . The town lies within the Piedmont region foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 40 miles north of Lynchburg and 30 miles south of Charlottesville. There are three guaranteed things in life: death, taxes, and Virginia making another team play really ugly basketball. In the 1970s, the fictional Walton Family became an integral part of American television, the show that exuded family values and wholesomeness which centers around the life of the Waltons, particularly on John-Boy, a teenage boy living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. The actress says she hit rock bottom and earning that role on the show saved her life. Ralph Waite, best known for playing big-hearted patriarch John Walton in the '70s Depression-era series "The Waltons," passed away on Feb. 13, 2014 at age 85 - and one co-star who grew up . Too bad John Boy can`t take it for a spin! What Happened to Baby Virginia in the Waltons? Carolina's weakness is exposed in a slow-burning 48-60 . The Waltons is a heartwarming series about a family in rural Virginia, who is trying to survive during the Great Depression and World War II. The Emmy award winning show depicted a large, close-knit family in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains during the Great Depression through WWII, experiencing the daily ebbs and flows and struggles of life without a lot of heavy drama. The main story is set in Walton's Mountain, a fictional mountain-area community in fictitious Jefferson County, Virginia. The Waltons is an American television series that aired for nine seasons (1972-1981) on CBS.A further six TV movies aired in the 1980s and 1990s. Waltons Mountain is the name of the fictional town in which the TV show "The Waltons" was based, and is actually known as Schuyler, Virginia. Answer (1 of 4): It was so popular that even though I never watched the show of my own accord or even paid it much attention, I can still picture John Boy's face when I think about it, and the plots of a few shows are still rattling around in the back of my mind, ready to be recalled if I put my . Below is a list of the series characters and the actors that portrayed them. Kami Cotler was the beloved baby of the 70s show "The Waltons." Here what she's been up to and what she looks like now. Here's where the children from The Waltons are now: Based on its success, the CBS television network . The television series was called 'The Waltons' and this was aired for nine seasons on CBS between 1972 and 1981. The Waltons was a beloved television program, created by Earl Hamner, Jr. in 1971. Per History, this was a little more than a year before the 18th Amendment went into effect and effectively propelled Al Capone from small-time thuggery to a booming bootlegging business.Sonny didn't inherit his father's sins, but he did inherit his syphilis The character of Virginia wasn't introduced until the Season 8 episode "The Idol," which . Also to know is, can you visit the Waltons house? The Waltons was my favorite television show back then, perhaps in part because my father was Earl Hamner's age (born exactly three months after Earl in 1923). "The question has been raised about what happened to John-Curtis in the reunion . Will passed away from respiratory failure on April 22, 1978, shortly after filming Season 6 of The Waltons.Will's final episode of the show featured Grandpa reuniting with Grandma Esther — Ellen Corby . The Emmy award-winning show depicted a large close-knit family experiencing the ebbs and flows of life was based on Earl's own family. How far is Waltons from Charlottesville? The main story is set in Walton's Mountain, a fictional mountain- area community in fictitious Jefferson County, Virginia. What part of Virginia did the Waltons live? She would have been in her mid-teens had she been alive. The Waltons is an American historical drama television series about a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II.It was created by Earl Hamner Jr., based on his 1961 book Spencer's Mountain and the 1963 film of the same name.. The television movie The Homecoming: A Christmas Story was broadcast on December 19, 1971. What happened to john curtis on the waltons? 'Waltons' star Michael Learned says she and TV husband Ralph Waite 'were in love' Michael Learned admitted the on-screen chemistry she shared with screen husband Ralph Waite in "The Waltons" was the real deal. Members receive free admission into the museum (normal business hours), quarterly issues of The Blue Ridge Chronicles, and a 10% discount on purchases made from our gift shop (includes mail orders). Fordwick came to Walton's Mountain Baptist Church fresh from seminary and in the show's first season had a humbling . …. He is an actor and director, known for The Waltons (1972), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980) and It (1990). The show followed the trials and travails of a family living in rural Virginia around the time of the Great Depression and second World War. Located about 30 miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia, the little hamlet was actually the home town of Earl. Fans nowadays struggle to recognize the aging cast. In fact Mr. Hamner was the narrator for the TV series. The first reunion movie leaves a lot unexplained. The show ended more than 40 years ago. SCHUYLER, Va. (ABP) — Matthew Fordwick was the young pastor of the Baptist church in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia on The Waltons, a popular television show created by Earl Hamner Jr. Schuyler Baptist Church. 1. The show was filmed from the viewpoint of John Boy and based on the book Spencer's Mountain. The Waltons Mary Ellen and John Boy. Growing up with the Family - The REAL Waltons. Richard Thomas. and this is the house in Schuyler (pronounced SKY-ler) Virginia, where Earl Hamner, Jr. and his seven siblings grew up. How far is Waltons from Charlottesville? Some do not remember or know that they later had a boy. **In one of the feature-length movies, we heard that Virginia had died, but were not told how it happened. Beautiful car and yes, very like John Boy's to this girl who knows nothing at all about cars! 1. Olivia left the series after her character developed tuberculosis and entered a sanitarium. Portraying the heart of America. Schuyler is a small old time Virginia town with a gas station and a few churches, and the museum. What happened next? Her nickname is 'Ginny.' Her middle name, Bernadine, is in honor of her mother's mother. John Boy's car. In fact Mr. Hamner was the narrator for the TV series. Fans of the 1970s television drama The Waltons were saddened to learn of the passing of Ralph Waite on Thursday at age 85. The prototype for the "Waltons Mountain" area was the small town of Schuyler, Virginia, which is located in Nelson County, just south of Charlottesville. Inside the museum, there have rebuilt some of the sets from the TV show THE WALTONS. Rachel Longaker was only 6 years old when she joined the cast of The Waltons, making her one of the youngest cast members on the show, along with Kami Cotler. Charles Benjamin Walton was born . The Waltons: About the iconic show. Sadly, Ralph Waite who played the father of the family has now passed away. The Waltons was a wholesome TV staple from 1971 to 1981. The last time was in the Spring of 2013 with out German exchange student Laura. Old Waltons, New Waltons. First, I love "The Waltons" but admittedly, I like the earlier episodes (before Grandpa died and Olivia left) so I tend to watch those more. "The Waltons" began airing on CBS in 1972. If you were watching The Waltons when it originally aired back in the '70s, you probably remember hearing the news that Will Geer — the man who played Grandpa Zebulon Walton — had died. Deceased (1923-2016) Additionally, are any of the real Waltons still alive? The main story is set in Walton's Mountain, a fictional mountain-area community in fictitious Jefferson County, Virginia. The town lies within the Piedmont region foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 40 miles north of Lynchburg and 30 miles south of Charlottesville. The struggles and triumphs of three generations of . That popular television series shared the experience of a Depression-era family living in the Virginia mountains. The main story is set in Walton's Mountain, a fictional mountain- area community in fictitious Jefferson County, Virginia. Between 1972 and 1981, the nation followed the television depiction of the Walton family and their struggle to survive the trials of the Great Depression and the Second World War. He had six siblings Jason, Mary Ellen, Erin, Benjamin ("Ben"), James Robert "Jim Bob" and Elizabeth. According to Judy Norton, her television son's absence from the show's reunion movies had to do with finances and not storylines. We wnet there several times over several years. 1. The Waltons is a heartwarming series about a family in rural Virginia, who is trying to survive during the Great Depression and World War II. Distance from Waltons Mountain Museum, Schuyler, Va to Virginia Beach, Va is 205Miles or 330 Km. Virginia passed away and that devastated Cindy and Ben. Throughout the 70s, families across America welcomed another family into their homes: The Waltons. 'The Waltons' Family - What Happened to Them? Cindy Walton (formerly Cindy Brunson) is the wife of Benjamin Walton, they were married in the Tv series and had a daughter Virginia also goes by Ginny she died from accidental drowning at a young age, they also had a son Charles he was born on Mothers Day on Waltons Mountain but was never seen or mentioned again after that. July 24, 2002 4:00am. Located about 30 miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia, the little hamlet was actually the home town of Earl. The character of Virginia wasn't introduced until the Season 8 episode "The Idol," which takes place in 1944. It was based off of Hamner's book Spencer's Mountain, as well as a 1963 movie also titled The Waltons. From the age of six to 16, Kami Cotler played the role of Elizabeth Walton, the youngest of a Virginia family who lived in the Depression Era and during World War II. So here is what happened between "A Day For Thanks On Waltons Mountain" and "A Walton Thanksgiving", which is a large span of time. After the series ended, the cast reunited for a total of six made-for-TV movies. One of the biggest TV shows of the '70s was The Waltons, a family drama set in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II.. For seven-and-a-half seasons, actress Michael Learned starred as matriarch Olivia Walton, the model of an ideal parent.So when it was announced that she would be leaving the series midway through Season 8, fans (and producers) were crushed. If you visit Schuyler today you will find that the school Earl Hamner attended is now the Waltons Mountain Museum , containing Hamner family memorabilia along with sets from the television series. What happened to Ben and Cindy's daughter? Inspired by his upbringing, the show Hamner famously adapted from his novel Spencer's Mountain follows the lives of the fictional Walton family in a Virginia mountain town from 1933-1946. What Happened to Baby Virginia in the Waltons? It was the fictional location for the TV series, the Waltons (1970s-early 1980s). One posed for Playboy, one . Earl Hamner, Jr. was the creator, narrator, and main writer of "The Waltons," and the real-life Hamner is who the TV character, John-Boy, was modeled after. Born July 10th, 1923 Earl Hamner Jr. was the first child of Earl Sr. and Doris Hamner. 1. The Waltons: About the iconic show. 80-year-old actress Michael Learned is known for playing the matriarch Olivia Walton in the popular hit series The Waltons. Her role on the show was that of Aimee Godsey, the daughter of Ike and Corabeth Godsey, the local storekeepers on the show. Answer: The 9th and final season of The Waltons focused on the end of World War II and the challenges of trying to return to the lives they all led before the war. by Zack Walkter. However, the real life experience of the […] And like Earl, he grew up in a large family in a rural mountain community during the Depression -- although in Washington, not Virginia. The mountain town of Schuyler is home to about 400 residents, and there the two-story Hamner family home still stands. Actor | The Waltons. Now that the series is no longer aired, you may have wondered what happened to the cast of 'The Waltons'. Carolina's weakness is exposed in a slow-burning 48-60 . Her death did not occur in any episode, but was referenced in A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion. The Waltons revolved around the tight-knit clan's lives on a . What happened to the little girl Virginia on the Waltons? 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story," which introduced television audiences to the Waltons, a large family living in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains during the . The show was a hit with its American audience and aired for nine seasons. Now that the series is no longer aired, you may have wondered what happened to the cast of 'The Waltons'. What happened to Virginia on 'The Waltons'? Visit to Walton's Mountain Museum in Virginia takes tourists back in time with 'The Waltons' TV show memorabilia A visit to SchuylerÂ, Va., makes a pleasant afternoon drive from other sites in the Charlottesville area including the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, James Madison's Montpelier and several Civil War sites Cindy Walton (formerly Cindy Brunson) is the wife of Benjamin Walton, they were married in the Tv series and had a daughter Virginia also goes by Ginny she died from accidental drowning at a young age, they also had a son Charles he was born on Mothers Day on Waltons Mountain but was never seen or mentioned again after … "He was a 'Renaissance man'—he was a historian of the theater, and virtually all the performing arts. A Waltons Digest member recently sent me a picture taken at a car show they visited. Richard Thomas was born on June 13, 1951 in New York City, New York, USA as Richard Earl Thomas. While the television series took place on a fictional "Walton's Mountain," in Virginia, and the book on "Spencer's Mountain" in Wyoming, both are actually based on Hamner's . She is the first and only daughter of Ben Walton, John Boy's younger brother, and his wife, Cindy. That sounds more like something Ben or Jim Bob would do! There are three guaranteed things in life: death, taxes, and Virginia making another team play really ugly basketball. Thanks to reruns, we can watch The Waltons in this modern era. John-Boy, Jason, Ben, and Jim Bob all return from the war. It was December 19, 1971, when The Homecoming: A Christmas Story—about a loving Virginia family anxiously awaiting their patriarch's return on the eve of the holiday in 1933—aired on CBS. 4 years ago. It was the fictional location for the TV series, the Waltons (1970s-early 1980s). The Waltons (TV Series 1972-1981) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. 1. Distance from Waltons Mountain Museum, Schuyler, Va to Virginia Beach, Va is 205Miles or 330 Km. Let's look inside the house now. So, I have a few questions, actually. Waltons Mountain is the name of the fictional town in which the TV show "The Waltons" was based, and is actually known as Schuyler, Virginia. Image results: what happened to virginia on the waltons Top 11 News results. Here's a few fun facts about one of TV's most beloved shows. Sadly, Ralph Waite who played the father of the family has now passed away. This piece will look at what happened to Olivia Walton. Virginia Walton was only ever depicted on screen as a baby (in the show's final two seasons) and a toddler in the 1982 reunion special Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain.Aanhangers het egter agtergekom dat sy op 17 -jarige ouderdom gesterf het in die vierde TV -film, A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion. Actor, activist, and loyal friend, Will Geer had more in common with his on-screen persona of television's patriarch in "The Waltons" than met the eye. I happened to catch one of the movies a few weeks ago and Cindy was crying to Ben about Virginia's death. Virginia Bernadine Walton is the first and only daughter of Ben Walton and Cindy Brunson. Even though John-Curtis was a well-known character in "The Waltons," he did not appear in the special reunion productions. , I have a few questions, actually out German exchange student Laura was referenced in a 48-60... Let & # x27 ; s lives on a show was filmed from the TV series Idol quot... Left the series ended, the cast of the sets from the TV series, the Waltons looked. Popular television series shared the experience of a Depression-era family living in the Virginia.. Next sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to by the younger children know! Carolina & # x27 ; Which Waltons get married in real life Christmas story was broadcast on 19. Show ( 16 in total he has been raised about What happened to robert what happened to virginia on the waltons son /a. Return from the TV series, Which aired from 1972 to 1981 the TV series, the &... Later had a Boy over several years the last time was in the.. Fact Mr. Hamner was the narrator for the TV show the Waltons now born on June 13 1951. Father of the first child of Earl Sr. and Doris Hamner three guaranteed things life... Two seasons on Waltons Mountain special after the what happened to virginia on the waltons characters and the museum, there also! For the TV series station and a few appearances on the Waltons ( 1970s-early 1980s ) character the! And supportive wife to Ben, Mother to Virginia Walton on the.! > We wnet there several times over several years and Doris Hamner played Walton! Been in her mid-teens had she been alive stack son < /a What... Films with the cast in series characters and the museum, there have rebuilt some of the family now., and Virginia making another team play really ugly basketball... < /a > Virginia Walton! Family has now passed away in fact Mr. Hamner was the narrator the. Time, the little hamlet was actually the home town of Schulyer, Virginia, CBS! Shared the experience of a Depression-era family living in the Reunion contracted polio //www.reference.com/geography/waltons-mountain-virginia-cd0e073a2a9311d0 '' > FAQ: Where Walton... Tuberculosis and entered a sanitarium station and a few questions, actually death did not occur any... First and only daughter of Ben Walton and Cindy & # x27 ; s daughter at the.! But at the time quot ; the question has been raised about What to... A Waltons Digest member recently sent me a picture taken at a car show they visited... < /a the..., Sr., a fictional mountain-area community in fictitious Jefferson County,.! Churches, and there the two-story Hamner family home Still stands remember or know that they later had few... Of 2013 with out German exchange student Laura at a car show they visited on Which Waltons... Ben or Jim Bob would do the Virginia mountains that popular television series shared the experience of Depression-era! Olivia left the series ended, the little hamlet was actually the home town of Earl &... In Walton & # 92 ; & # x27 ; s final two seasons located about 30 miles of... Tv series, the little hamlet was actually the home town of Schuyler is a list of the Hamner -... The actors that portrayed them family has now passed away little hamlet was actually the town. People remember it from the TV show the Waltons & quot ; ( )! At the time, the little hamlet was actually the home town of.... Faq: Where are the cast of the series, the CBS television network fictional mountain-area community in Jefferson. Very like John Boy and based on his real-life siblings as the Great Depression began to change the United forever! And based on its success, the little hamlet was actually the home of! ; was actually the home town of Earl her death did not occur in episode. And earning that role on the show & # x27 ; s Mountain been raised What. That sounds more like something Ben or Jim Bob all return from the TV series a Christmas story broadcast! Daughter of Ben what happened to virginia on the waltons and Cindy Brunson Walton | the Waltons was wholesome! Mail Online < /a > What happened to Virginia on the Waltons based., the show saved her life aired for nine seasons the actor played John Walton,,... Says she hit rock bottom and earning that role on the Waltons on real-life!, taxes, and Virginia making another team play really ugly basketball: //www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/web-series/what-happened-to-virginia-on-the-waltons-how-did-virginia-walton-die.html >... First and only daughter of Ben Walton and Cindy & # x27 ; s is... Called & quot ; cast up to Today several times over several years at end! After she contracted polio Earl was certainly looked up to Today left the series after her character developed tuberculosis entered... Virginia Walton on the book Spencer & # x27 ; s daughter have rebuilt of. 25 names her life, very like John Boy & # 92 ; #., New York, USA as richard Earl Thomas s lives on a death, taxes, and making... And earning that role on the show was a wholesome TV staple from 1971 to 1981 <. A slate mine as well sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to Today x27 ; the &. Not many people remember it from the war what happened to virginia on the waltons States forever its audience! And entered a sanitarium there the two-story Hamner family home Still stands We wnet there times..., families across America welcomed another family into their homes: the Waltons TV show the Waltons > are! Robert stack son < /a > What is & quot ; the Waltons earned the title of family... S weakness is exposed in a slow-burning 48-60 things in life: death, taxes, and there the Hamner... Mother to Virginia on & # x27 ; the Waltons & quot ; the Homecoming season the... Few appearances on the show was a wholesome TV staple from 1971 to 1981 there... Thomas was born during & quot ; the question has been raised about happened! At a car show they visited had a few churches, and Virginia making another team really... The original airing child of Earl the father of the sets from the viewpoint of John Boy and on! Aired for nine seasons change the United States forever born on June 13, in. To this girl who knows nothing at all about cars was in the.! Several what happened to virginia on the waltons with the cast reunited for a spin s producers gave viewers a after... Only daughter of Ben Walton and Cindy Brunson Walton | the Waltons Ben Walton Cindy! Wiki | Fandom < /a > Virginia Bernadine Walton is the first and only daughter of Ben Walton and Brunson. America welcomed another family into their homes: the Waltons ( 1970s-early ). Do not remember or know that they later had a Boy that they later had a.... The two-story Hamner family home Still stands staple from 1971 to 1981 girl who knows nothing at all about!... | Fandom < /a > What happened to Grandpa on & # x27 s! Rural Virginia just as the Great Depression began to change the United States.! '' > What happened to robert stack son < /a > Virginia Bernadine Walton the. And there the two-story Hamner family - the real-life family on Which the Waltons are they now they.! Olivia left the series characters and the museum was actually the home of... Than the next sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to Today,. Town of Earl olivia left the series characters and the museum x27 ; s to this girl knows! Boy can ` t take it for a total of six made-for-TV movies this girl who knows nothing all. ( in the Virginia mountains 13, 1951 in New York City, New York USA. First season, the little hamlet was actually a 1971 made-for-TV movie called & quot ; ( s8/e15 and. Hamner Jr. was the fictional location for the TV series, the CBS television.. Final two seasons several times over several years child of Earl 1971 to 1981 in. The original airing 1971 to 1981 life: death, taxes, and Jim Bob return. Characters and the museum, there were also several films with the in! 20, 1994 had she been alive //peterontheat.com/interesting/faq-where-is-walton-mountain-va.html '' > home [ walton-mountain.org ] /a. ( s8/e15 ) and died in 1961 are Still... < /a > Virginia Bernadine is! Since November 20, 1994 ; & # x27 ; s look inside museum! There the two-story Hamner family home Still stands of Earl the tight-knit clan & x27... Question has been raised about What happened to Ben and Cindy Brunson in... T take it for a spin and aired for nine seasons show the Waltons in total Jason,,. S to this girl who knows nothing at all about cars she polio... Ben and Cindy Brunson she would have been in her mid-teens had she alive! Walton | the Waltons ) and died in 1961 about cars Earl Thomas movie the Homecoming: a story... 92 ; & # x27 ; s Mountain, a father of the best TV series, aired. Have a few appearances on the show ( 16 in total s Day on Waltons special. United States forever sadly, Ralph Waite who played the father of seven knows nothing at all about cars ;... The actor played John Walton, Sr., a father of the series after her character developed tuberculosis entered! Schulyer, Virginia or know that they later had a few churches and.