Ellen Corby and Will Geer, two of the most beloved figures on The Waltons, brought remarkable acting skill and depth to their roles as the wise and loving Grandma and Grandpa Walton. Their portrayal of the strong foundational figures of the Walton family, grounded in wisdom, tradition, and warmth, made them indispensable to the heart of the series. While the show relied on their steadfast performances as the aging couple, behind the scenes, Corby and Geer lived very different lives from the characters they played. Both of them, in their personal lives, quietly navigated their sexual identities and the social constraints of their time, all while maintaining public personas that helped protect their careers.
Grandma Walton: Ellen Corby’s Hidden Love for Women
On-screen, Ellen Corby embodied the character of Grandma Walton, the no-nonsense, traditional matriarch who ran a tight ship in the Walton household. Off-screen, however, Corby was known for her sharp sense of humor, rough language, and a very different approach to life than her wholesome TV persona suggested. Although her character would often speak of the “good Lord” and the virtues of living a proper life, Corby was an outspoken individual with a much grittier personal lifestyle.
One of the most surprising aspects of Corby’s personal life was her romantic relationships. Despite playing the conservative and religious Esther Walton, Corby had long-term relationships with women. Her most significant relationship was with Stella Luchetta, whom she introduced to the world as her “caretaker.” In reality, the two shared a deep bond that lasted for over four decades, during which they maintained the front of being simply good friends to the outside world. The couple’s love story remained under the radar, largely because Corby, like many in the entertainment industry at the time, understood the necessity of keeping such details private in order to preserve her career and protect herself from potential harassment or discrimination.
This was compounded by Corby’s marriage to actor Francis Corby. The union, which was arranged for career protection rather than love, was a classic example of a “beard” marriage—one in which a public relationship or marriage is used to shield someone’s true sexual orientation from public scrutiny. Ellen’s marriage to Francis was never a genuine romantic connection; rather, it served as a safeguard against potential backlash, as the entertainment industry was notoriously hostile toward non-heterosexual individuals during this era. Corby’s deep, enduring connection with Luchetta continued to blossom quietly, and when she passed away, her last words were to Luchetta: “Love you.”
Grandpa Walton: Will Geer’s Activism and Hidden Identity
While Ellen Corby kept her relationships largely under wraps, Will Geer, who portrayed Grandpa Walton, was far more public in his activism and stood out as a visible figure in the gay rights movement. Geer’s political journey, and eventual blacklisting during the McCarthy era, painted a picture of a man who never shied away from his beliefs. In the 1930s, Geer met Harry Hay, a pivotal figure in the gay rights movement, and the two became lovers. Geer’s relationship with Hay was foundational to both their activism, and Geer was instrumental in pushing Hay to become an even more prominent figure in the fight for gay rights. As their relationship deepened, Geer’s involvement in both the gay rights movement and labor activism led to his being blacklisted during the height of McCarthyism.
His political activities, including his involvement in the San Francisco General Strike and union movements, brought him under the scrutiny of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). This period of political oppression, combined with Geer’s openly non-heteronormative relationships, led to his professional exile. Despite these challenges, Geer’s commitment to his political convictions and his relationship with Hay were undeniable. Harry Hay later credited Geer with igniting his own passion for gay rights, calling him a crucial figure in the formation of the movement.
During this time, Geer, like Corby, was encouraged by his agents to maintain a public facade. They pushed him to marry a woman, which led to his marriage to actress Herta Ware. Geer and Ware’s marriage, which lasted for over two decades, was another example of a “front marriage,” a union that helped Geer avoid professional repercussions. However, much like Corby’s marriage to Francis, the partnership was not rooted in romantic love but rather in societal expectation and career protection.
Geer’s marriage to Ware produced three children, but the union was largely a pragmatic arrangement. His true romantic relationships and his political activism would continue to define much of his life. In spite of the political climate, Geer found himself blacklisted and without work for a period, largely due to his involvement in activism and his relationships with figures like Hay and Woody Guthrie.
The Dual Lives: A Common Experience
What connects both Corby and Geer, beyond their roles on The Waltons, is the need to balance their personal truths with the pressures of maintaining a public persona. Both lived their lives in a way that reflected the pressures of their time, knowing that revealing their sexual identities could have devastating consequences for their careers. Corby and Geer’s marriages—Corby to Francis and Geer to Herta Ware—served as an attempt to protect themselves from career-ending gossip and societal judgment. While their characters on The Waltons represented an idealized version of family values, their own lives demonstrated the complexities and hidden struggles many actors faced in Hollywood during that era.
Their ability to compartmentalize their personal lives and professional personas speaks to the resilience they demonstrated in the face of an often hostile and unforgiving industry. Their legacies as performers and activists remain significant today, as both Corby and Geer managed to influence their fields while quietly challenging the societal norms of their time. Ultimately, both of them became symbols of strength—not just through their roles on The Waltons, but through their ability to live authentically despite the demands for conformity.