Michael Learned (Olivia Walton) and Judy Norton (Mary Ellen) have shared plenty of insightful and emotional conversations about The Waltons, their careers, and their personal experiences from the set and beyond. In interviews and special events, they’ve spoken fondly of each other, their characters, and the deep connections they formed while working together.
1. Michael Learned on why she left the series: Michael Learned’s departure from The Waltons was a significant moment for the series. She had portrayed Olivia Walton, the loving matriarch, for several years. However, she left the show in its seventh season in 1978. According to Learned, she left because of her dissatisfaction with the direction of her character and the demands of being away from her family. She had also expressed that after six years of playing Olivia Walton, she felt the role had run its course for her, and she wanted to explore new opportunities and different roles.
2. Her favorite work: Michael Learned has mentioned in various interviews that one of her most cherished roles was in the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), where she played a very different character from Olivia Walton. She’s often spoken about how the variety in her roles post-The Waltons has been a fulfilling aspect of her career. However, she remains proud of her time on The Waltons and her portrayal of Olivia Walton.
3. Her childhood and early career: Michael Learned had a somewhat unconventional childhood, growing up in many different places as the child of a diplomat. Her early life wasn’t as stable as her character’s life on The Waltons, but she found solace in acting from a young age. She worked in theater and television before landing the iconic role of Olivia Walton. Her career in television began to rise in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with The Waltons being her breakout role.
4. Her love for Ralph Waite and the cast: In numerous conversations with Judy Norton and others, Michael Learned has spoken very warmly about her love and respect for Ralph Waite, who played John Walton. She described him as a deeply caring and warm person, both on and off the set. Learned has said that their on-screen chemistry was so natural because of their strong off-screen friendship and mutual respect. She, along with the rest of the cast, has often remarked on the tight-knit, almost familial relationships they had while filming the show.
5. Judy Norton’s memories of working with Michael Learned: Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen Walton, has often shared her admiration for Michael Learned. She has said that Learned was a huge influence on her as a young actress and that their relationship off-screen was very special. Norton often talks about how Learned played a key role in making her feel welcomed and supported on set, especially in the early seasons when she was just beginning her career. The two actresses also formed a sisterly bond, reflecting their on-screen roles as mother and daughter.
Their discussions about their time on The Waltons often reflect a deep sense of nostalgia and camaraderie. Both actresses have spoken about how meaningful it was to work together and how much they valued the experience, not just for its professional success but for the personal connections they made.
The love and mutual respect between Michael Learned and Judy Norton, as well as their shared memories from The Waltons, make any conversation or interview about the series even more compelling and heartwarming for fans.