Being one of the top shows of the seventies the cast had their share of fame and popularity. Here are some of the special appearances they made over the years.
In the News and Media
Walton cast members Mary Elizabeth McDonough, Will Geer, Michael Learned, Kami Cotler, Jon Wamsley, Eric Scott and Judy Norton have some fun surrounded by elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Back when there was a bit of truth in the National Enquirer.
Host Bill Boggs (left) holds the mic up to Mary McDonough, Eric Scott, Jon Walmsley and David Harper, competitors for "The Waltons" team against the "Eight is Enough" team on the TV series "All-Stars Anything Goes". This half-hour series featured competing teams of celebrities that performed slapstick stunts. circa. 1977-78
Eric Scott,
Jon Walmsley,
David Harper
and
Kami Cotler
on a outing.
Jon Walmsley, Mary McDonough and Judy Norton
Mary McDonough appears in a Sea Breeze magazine ad.
Mary McDonough shows off some new fashions with a little help from fellow actor Eric Scott.
Eric Scott and Mary McDonough developed a close kinship that continues to this day.
Mary McDonough and Jon Walmsley
Mary McDonough, a roller skating cowgirl
Lee Rich, Merv Adelson (seated) and Irwin Molasky (far left) of Lorimar Productions pose with the various cast members from 4 of their productions in 1979. Groups left to right are "Married: the First Year", "The Waltons" including show creator Earl Hamner, "Eight is Enough" and "Dallas".
Eric Scott, Ellen Corby and John Walmsley attend 'The Waltons' Wrap Party on March 23, 1980 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California.
Talk Shows, Specials & Game Shows
Cast Members made numerous appearances on Dinah!
Will Geer April 10, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 113)
Ralph Waite August 15, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 187)
May 3, 1976 (Season 2, Ep. 152)
May 27, 1976 (Season 2, Ep. 159)
August 26, 1976 (Season 2, Ep. 208)
October 12, 1976 (Season 3, Ep. 17)
July 15, 1977 (Season 3, Ep. 197)
May 2, 1978 (Season 4, Ep. 153)
Eric Scott July 15, 1977 (Season 3, Ep. 197)
Joe Conley July 15, 1977 (Season 3, Ep. 197)
All eleven cast members including series creator Earl Hamner Jr. of The Waltons made an appearance on February 23, 1976 (Season 2, Ep. 110) of Dinah Shore's talk show, Dinah!.
Ellen Corby & Will Geer sang "I Remember It Well". Jon Walmsley & Ellen Corby sang "Ironing Board Blues".
In addition cast members made these additional appearances.
Richard Thomas
December 5, 1974 (Season 1, Ep. 33)
December 9, 1975 (Season 2, Ep. 61)
January 11, 1980
(Season 6, Ep. 82)
Ellen Corby
January 17, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 56)
February 6, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 69)
F, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 127)
May 23, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 144)
-
Ellen does a Yoga Demonstration
September 16, 1975 (Season 2, Ep. 2)
November 6, 1975 (Season 2, Ep. 39)
May 2, 1978 (Season 4, Ep. 153)
Michael Learned
April 1, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 106)
July 3, 1975 (Season 1, Ep. 165)
In one episode Dinah Shore sang words written to The Waltons theme.
The words she sang are as follows
Let me take you back now
To the hills of Virginia,
When the world was much simpler
Than we find it today.
Through a field we will run
And I'll show you a valley,
Where the lazy old river
Winds slowly away.
And from a high top branch
Of a big maple tree
You just wouldn't believe
All the beauty you'll see.
We had problems for sure
There were hard times upon us.
But in dear old Virginia
Just how hard could they be.
Other Appearances
Richard Thomas
The Sonny and Cher Show, 1976
The Mike Douglas Show,
July 18-22, 1977
Ellen Corby
The Merv Griffin Show, March 27, 1974
Michael Learned
Match Game, 1973 Ep.1.6
The Merv Griffin Show, March 25, 1974
The Hollywood Squares, August 20, 1973
Will Geer
The Mike Douglas Show,
December 26, 1973
Hee Haw, 1976 Ep.8.1
The Hollywood Squares, December 20, 1976 & March 14, 1977
The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, August 19, 1977
Mary McDonough
Merv Griffin and the Christmas Kids, 1973
Circus of the Stars 1980,
Eric Scott
Merv Griffin and the Christmas Kids, 1973
Merv Griffin and the Christmas Kids - Mary McDonough and Eric Scott
Judy Norton Family Feud, 1976
The (New) $25,000 Pyramid, 1978 - 1980, 10 episodes
Password Plus, 1979 - 1982 - 8 episodes
Chain Reaction, 1980 - 15 episodes
Battle of the Network Stars VIII, 1979
Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes, 1979-80
Battle of the Network Stars IX, 1980
Battle of the Network Stars X, 1981
Circus of the Stars #8, 1983
Circus of the Stars #9, 1984
Super Password, 1984 - 4 episodes
Judy's December 1980 appearance on Battle of the Network Stars
The Walton's children are matched against cast members from The Dukes of Hazzard on "The Family Feud".
Richard Thomas and fellow cast members of The Waltons co-host the CBS Network's "On The Air" week long 50th Anniversary special. Seen here is the intro to the Thursday night episode entitled "Join the Family".
The Waltons cast members appear again here in the just prior to the closing credits of the CBS Network's "On The Air" 50th Anniversary special. Ralph Waite appears at 0:06, Michael Learned and the children appear at 0:57. Will Geer and Ellen Corby can be seen at 1:38 and 1:53 in this stellar line-up of stars.
An amazing group photo of the CBS stars which hangs to this day on the wall of Walton actress Judy Norton. All family members of the Waltons cast appear except for Richard Thomas but he did host an episode of the week long celebration. As a fun exercise look through the photo and pick out the famous faces of the past that offers a glimpse back into the glory days of television.
Ellen Corby's 1974 appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson"
Award Show Appearances
Richard Thomas and Michael Learned at the Emmy Awards.
Ellen Corby Arrives with Jon Walmsley at the Emmy Awards.
Ellen Corby backstage after winning her first Emmy Award for playing Grandma Walton.
Will Geer attending an awards show
Michael Learned and Richard Thomas celebrate their Best Acting Emmy Awards.
Richard Thomas and his former wife Alma Gonzales at the Golden Globes.
Will Geer and Ellen Corby with their Supporting Actor Emmy Awards - 1975
Michael Learned accepts the People's Choice Award for "Favorite Dramatic Television Program" on behalf of The Waltons - March 3, 1975
Richard Thomas accepts the People's Choice Award for "Favorite Dramatic Television Program" on behalf of The Waltons - March 4, 1976
Something funny happened on the way to the Emmys... watch Richard Thomas's humorous acceptance speech for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work on The Waltons at the 25th Emmys, 1973.
Enjoy two beautiful acceptance speeches by Ellen Corby and Will Geer as they win Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Drama for The Waltons at the 27th Emmys, 1975.
Richard Thomas and his former wife Alma Gonzales at the Golden Globes.
