Return to The Cast List

John Walton

John Walton is the father of 7 children and the current care taker of his family's settled land "Walton's Mountain" located in the ficticious Jefferson county near the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. He is a self described heathen who has no time for organized religion yet made no qualms about marrying the the prettiest girl in the Baptist choir. He dreams of building a home for his wife Olivia up on the mountain but it is a dream never to become reality. Although he has provided for his family, mostly through the income he generates from his lumber mill, he has from time to time ventured to the city to find work. In the end he has always chosen to return back home to where he belongs. John is prone to fits of rage but he is always fair in his dealings with family and neighbors. Although he has made various attempts to involve his sons and expand his business, he has always allowed them the freedom to choose their own path.

Featured storylines  
"The Legend" (s1-ep10) "The Theft" (s2-ep4)
The Braggart" (s2-ep8) "The Honeymoon" (s2-ep16)
"The Heritage" (s2-ep17) "The Departure" (s3-ep12)
"The Matchmakers" (s3-ep16) "The Woman" (s3-ep23)
"The Venture" (s3-ep24) "The Prophecy" (s4-ep4)
"The Big Brother" (s4-ep19) "John's Crossroad" (s5-ep16)
"The Stray" (s6-ep02) "The Warrior" (s6-ep4)
"The Celebration" (s6-ep13) "The Anniversary" (s6-ep17)
"The Empty Nest" (s7-ep01) "The Parting" (s7-ep15)
"The Torch" (s7-ep21)  

...
more links to come ASAP


Ralph Waite

Born: June 22, 1928
Died: February 13, 2014

Prior to becoming an actor Ralph earned a master's degree from Yale University Divinity School and was a Presbyterian minister and religious editor at Harper & Row in New York City before deciding on a career in acting.

Prior to being cast as John Walton, Ralph was cast in Cool Hand Luke and Five Easy Pieces. Ralph has had a number of plum parts in movies since the end of The Waltons including The Bodyguard and Cliffhanger. Since 2009 he had played the recurring role of Father Matt on the daytime soap Days of Our Lives. He also played Booth's gradfather on Bones and had a recurring role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) father on NCIS. In August 2012 he reunited with Michael Learned in the Victoria Playhouse production of "Love Letters" in Petrolia, Ontario.

Links

 

 

 

 


After The Waltons

Ralph became an ordained Presbyterian minister before he turned to acting and he performed the marriage of fellow cast members Jon Walmsley and Lisa Harrison. He later played the role of Father Matt on Days of Our Lives.
Ralph Waite Minister Ralph Waite Walmsley Wedding Ralph Waite as Father Matt Days of Our Lives

Having suffered from the effects of alcohol abuse Ralph wrote, directed, produced
and starred in his 1980 film On the Nickel.

 

Ralph Waite - On the Nickel

RALPH WAITE RISKS A WAD ON A WINO FLICK AND IS EASED OUT OF 'THE WALTONS.' YET COMES UP BEAMING

Waite took bullhorn in hand to make his L.A.skid row film (above), On the Nickel. It's run is as uncertain as his future on The Waltons, but Ralph says, "I Love it." - People Weekly July 28, 1980

Read this Article People Magazine July 28, 1980


In the 90's Ralph became interested in politics and ran unsuccessfully for Congress 3 times.


Old Henry - A INSP short starring Ralph Waite

In 2013 Ralph starred in "Old Henry", a short film produced by INSP about aging. It is presented below for your enjoyment.




 

 

   

Follow us on Facebook YouTube Pinterest

About this Site / Links Contact Us FAQ
             
 

Main Menu
------------------
The Episodes

- Season One
- Season Two
- Season Three
- Season Four
- Season Five
- Season Six
- Season Seven
- Season Eight
- Season Nine

------------------
The Movie Specials
------------------
Spencer's Mountain
------------------
The Homecoming
------------------
The New Waltons
------------------
Search Site
------------------

The Cast
- John
- Olivia
- Grandpa
- Grandma
- John-Boy
- Jason
- Mary Ellen
- Erin
- Ben
- Jim-Bob
- Elizabeth
- The In-Laws
- Extended Family
- Kinfolk
- Pets & Critters
- Locals
- School Friends
- Town Folk
------------------
The Guests
- Season One
- Season Two
- Season Three
- Season Four
- Season Five
- Season Six
- Season Seven
- Season Eight
- Season Nine
------------------
The Show
- The Waltons
  Cast Today

- FAQ
- Themes
- Timeline
- Articles
- Thanksgiving - The Garden Shed
------------------
The Music
- Season One
- Season Two
- Season Three
- Season Four
- Season Five
- Season Six
- Season Seven
- Season Eight
- Season Nine
- Movie Specials
------------------
The Fans
- Fan Clubs
- Facebook Groups
- The Walton   Museum
- Reunions

- Autographs
- Trip to Schuyler
------------------

The Merchandise
- Home Video
- Paperbacks & Books
- Music Albums
- Sheet Music
- Lunchbox
- Action figures
- Playsets
- Trading Cards
- Boardgame
- Dinky Truck
- Paper Dolls
- View master
- Children's Book #1
- Children's Book #2
- Activity Books
- Foreign Products
- Unofficial Products
- Biographies
- Walton's Bird House
- FOTONOVEL
------------------

The Production
- Awards
- Behind the Camera
- Bloopers
- Cast off the Set
- Crew Listing
- Design of the Show
- Directing The Waltons
- Filming Locations
- Influences on Culture
- In Memoriam
- Interviews
- Kami's Memories
- Lorimar Productions
- Sets, Structures
- Specials & Docs
- Water Fountain
------------------
The Creator
- The REAL John-Boy
- The REAL Waltons
- The REAL Mountain
- Apples's Way
- Earl Hamner Storyteller
- Earl Hamner Memorial
------------------