Fox News: Does your family have any holiday traditions?Thomas: We just like to be together with whichever of our young people, our kids can be with us. Besides her marriages, Learned also had a close relationship with her "The Waltons" co-star Ralph Waite. Picture of Ralph Waite with other cast members on "The Waltons" | Photo: Getty Images. Norton, in an interview after Waites death in 2014, recalled the actor from the long-running CBS family drama. We did not get rich from that show, Eric Scott, who played devil-may-care middle child Ben, tells Closer. And we just have to muddle through somehow as the song says until that happens. But I was able to get a glimpse of things. He was such a warm man with such a great sense of humor. When he passed away, NCIS decided to dedicate the entire Season 11 finale to Ralph Waites memory. And, I defy adults to do well when they're suddenly hit with a lot of fame and notoriety. Fox News: Looking back, how did he feel about "The Waltons" after it came to an end?Cotler: He said something really interesting about it. The show was what led him to kick his habit. Particularly to Michael and Ralph, whose chemistry as Olivia and John was real enough for them to try dating each other. Here are a couple of the interview segments. Enjoy! 'THE WALTONS' STAR MICHAEL LEARNED TALKS REBOOT RUMORS, Ralph Waltie and Michael Learned in "The Waltons." That enduring familial affection, along with the pride of belonging to a show that resonated with viewers all around the world, makes everyone who was part of The Waltons feel privileged to have played a part in the show. He stood up and said, "No, these are parts for native people and its wrong to cast any other person in them.". Watching how Waite and actress Michael Learned, who played Olivia, interacted as a couple impressed Norton a lot. or redistributed. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Sadly, the actor's marriage failed along the way, and they got divorced in 1969. Fox News: How are you and your family coping with 2020?Thomas: We may have distance and separation, but we still have a connection. There was something really artful and serious going on. "The Waltons" was one of the defining television shows of the early '70s. I have the great pleasure every morning to get up and enjoy that drive to work and look forward to the people I work with, and I think many of us share that, and I think thats rare, he said. Thomas spoke to Fox News about working alongside his TV father Ralph Waite, who passed away in 2014 at age 85, as well as his relationship with "The Waltons" cast today and celebrating. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. They will say John-Boy dies in the news when Im gone, says Richard. So he did tell that story about how the acting and the pretend moment really informed his own choices in his real life with his actual children. Despite their feelings for the studio, there was genuine love among all the actors. He didnt necessarily think at that moment he was doing a very good job. Unfortunately, he was appalled by the churchs hypocrisy and quit. Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. After graduating from Bucknell, Waite married his first wife, Beverly Hall, the daughter of religious writer Clarence Hall. Just like with Shear, the actor never had any more children with East. Some of the things he accomplished include heading an alcohol and drug recovery program and helping to build low-income housing. She also shared how they both had drinking problems when the show began, with the two stars having a couple of martinis over lunch before going back on set. He has appeared in all 414 episodes of the hit show and isnt showing signs of stopping. And that we were basically part of each others lives whether we wanted it or not. Market data provided by Factset. And the way Ralph told the story, he realized he was kneeling in the mud talking to me, that he had a responsibility to raise his children. So as long as the cast and crew are happy with the creative work theyre doing, NCIS will likely stick around. 2, Privacy Notice and Disclosure for California Residents. He is survived by his third wife, Linda East, whom he married in 1982 and two daughters from his first marriage. And there were lots of writers writing from personal experiences. Nothing eventually happened between them, but she was his friend for life. He was making sure everybody was good." The actress, best known for playing beloved matriarch Olivia Walton in "The Waltons," is starring in a new film titled "Second Acts," which explores how an elderly couple strikes up a love affair. [3], Waite ran unsuccessfully for Congress in California as a Democrat on three occasions: In 1990, he challenged veteran GOP incumbent Al McCandless in the Riverside County-based 37th district, losing by 5%. Absence Explained, Out for a Swim! In a 2019 interview, five years after Waite's death, Learned dropped the bombshell generations of "The Waltons" fanatic anticipated. Cotler spoke to Fox News about her relationship with Waite, how she feels about The Waltons today and why shes passionate about her current role. He would again play John Walton Sr. in the TV movies A Wedding on Walton's Mountain, Mother's Day on Waltons Mountain, and A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain, in 1982. Throughout the seventies, he strove to expand outside his Walton patriarchal casting with other TV mini-movie endeavors. He said, I sat there one day at the kitchen table with all you kids and I felt like such a fake. He took himself to AA and got sober., MUST SEE: Check out All the Little House on the Prairie Kids Who Have Children of Their Own. Waite established the Los Angeles Actors Theatre in 1975. The star once confessed that he became a heavy drinker and couldn't reconcile with his role as a responsible and caring father to his onscreen children. So, hopefully, we'll be spreading that around with the concert. And it wasnt until after he passed away that I thought, "He was checking in. 2. Executive Producer of Ralph Waite Productions from 1983 to 1984. . He also had some really, really bad jokes. She just pulled me into her lap. Ralph Waite, a multifaceted actor who became etched in television history as the craggy-faced, big-hearted patriarch of a rustic Depression-era clan on the popular 1970s dramatic series "The. Fox News: Do you remember the last time you spoke to him?Cotler: Yes, very clearly. Ralph Waite was born on June 22, 1928, in White Plains, New York, to Ralph H. Waite and Esther Mitchell Waite. We have three charter schools in LA. And while shes no longer pursuing acting, Cotler still vividly remembers bringing The Waltons to life and befriending Waite along the way. The Emmy Award-nominated star played the role of John Walton Sr. from 1971 until the series concluded in 1981. To start it, he pumped in $50,000 of his own cash to produce and direct revivals of "The Hairy Ape" and "The Kitchen," in which he also acted. Ralph took his work so seriously. Behind the scenes, the children were treated poorly, one actor struggled with alcoholism and, despite the popularity of the show, nobody was paid what they were worth. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Waite once worked as a social worker, Harper & Row's religious editor, and minister for the Presbyterian Church. And thats the normal part of being an actor. Fox News: What's one scene from the show that still sticks out to you?Cotler: At the beginning of the show, he was dealing with alcoholism and his challenges within his own family. He was a sweet, affectionate, funny man, too. He died on February 13, 2014 in Palm Desert, California. Old Henry is an original short form limited series. The actress admitted that they both ended up quitting smoking and got sober. His later films included The Bodyguard, the part of Frank the helicopter pilot in the 1993 film Cliffhanger, and as the mysterious time traveler in Timequest (2002). It was his highest-grossing movie to date. Tyler Perry Was Broke Living in His Car - He Recalls in Tears That He Was Only 'Praying & Believing, Man Can't Become a Dad for Years, Refuses to Adopt until He Sees the Kid from His Childhood Vision, Kevin Costner Was 'Enthralled' with 1st Wife Yet Had Reputation as 'A Total Hound' & 'True Rogue', Inside Tom Hanks & Wife of 33 Years Rita Wilson's Relationship with Their Biracial Granddaughter, Inside Tom Bergeron's Marriage with Wife of 39 Years Who Helped Him with His Anger Management, Bob Saget's Longtime Home Gets $770K Price Cut Nobody Is Ready to Buy House He Lived in until His Tragic Death, Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Old Man Promises to Wait for Woman He Loves at Their Favorite Cafe, Waits Nearly 20 Years After Story of the Day, Richard Thomas Wed a Divorcee & His Triplets Were Her Bridesmaids Meet the Actor's Wife, 30 Years after Dad's Death, 3 Children Receive a Letter Saying to Meet in Forest near an Old Bridge Story of the Day, Mark Wahlberg Wants to Devote More Time to Parenting in Private & Asks Record $87.5M for His LA Mansion, Millionaire Discovers His Daughter and Four Grandkids Have Been Living in a Car for Years Story of the Day, Richard Thomas Said Divorce from Mom of His 4 Kids 'Brought Him to His Knees' Inside His Blended Family, Inside Bishop T D Jakes's $5,5M Home Where He Lives with His Wife of 39 Years. Advertisement. He made his TV debut with the series Look Up and Live in 1966. Sign up for our newsletter! Fox News: How would you describe Ralph Waite when he wasn't playing your father on the screen?Thomas: Id made a picture with him years before [The Waltons], and he was an uncompromisingly honest artist and an actor. Richard Thomas (center) revealed he's still close with his "Waltons" family, especially Michael Learned (right). It was just one of the chapters of his life, and it preceded the tragedy that almost ruined his life. He was the show-off, the dreamer, and the storyteller who always had his head in the clouds. In 1972, Ralph Waite landed perhaps his most famous role of John Walton Sr. in the TV series The Waltons (1972 1981). Ralph joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served there from 1946 to 1948. We were all sitting around Michaels living room. Fox News: You had the chance to meet Natalie Wood. In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat, challenging a four-term Republican incumbent. Waite was 39 when he landed a part in "Cool Hand Luke." Waite also was in the cast of the Jack Nicholson movie "Five Easy Pieces." Waite took a chance when he accepted the role of John Walton. "Ralph Waite will be honored in 'NCIS' season finale", "Presbyterian Church (USA) Ralph Waite finds a home in church", "R.I.P. But there is one major caveat. And then suddenly you need to have all of this energy and pretend youre in the middle of a busy family dinner. She was his favorite. On February 13, 2014, Waite died in Palm Desert, California, of natural causes at age 85. Ralph Waite. We all did. Ralph Waite sits down for an exclusive interview with INSP to share his thoughts on life as an actor.Old Henry is an original short form limited series creat. His political campaign suffered because he was also committed to life as an actor. Ralph Waites next major role was in the blockbuster The Bodyguard (1992). She recalled a day when he told her that he decided to become sober after sitting at a kitchen table with his onscreen children and realized he felt fake. One cast member from The Waltons says that star actor Ralph Waite was very passionate about politics and how people were treated. The star revealed that people were so touched by the show that they would walk up to him and thank him. My wife makes a beautiful New Mexican Christmas dinner, which we all love. Norton, in an interview after Waite's death in 2014, recalled the actor from the long-running CBS family drama. He had three daughters from his first marriage. Fans Gush Keke Palmer Is Going to Be the Best Mom as She Shares Pic of Baby Boy, Mom of 7 Adopts Baby Abandoned by His Mother and Gets Fired for It, Jeremy Renner Shares Recovery Update Following Snowplow Injury: 'Whatever It Takes', Inside the Hidden Gay Lives of 'The Waltons' Grandparents Ellen Corby & Will Geer despite Their Marriages, Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wifes Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100, Paul Newman Left 1st Wife to Marry Joanne Woodward Yet Felt Guilty about It His Whole Life, The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Waite had supporting roles in movies such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Five Easy Pieces (1970), The Grissom Gang (1971), The Bodyguard (1992), and Cliffhanger (1993). And were standing by the raccoons grave and its pouring with pretend rain. WALTONS STAR MICHAEL LEARNED SAYS SHE AND TV HUSBAND RALPH WAITE WERE IN LOVE. Waite said in the 1980 interview. Notable was his role as Pozzo in Waiting for Godot (1977), which was televised by PBS, and a return to Broadway with "The Father" in 1981. The death affected him deeply, and he sought refuge at the bottom of alcoholic drinks. He made his debut on stage as the chief of police in a production of The Balcony (1960). I think I was giving away cocktail umbrellas that I had stolen from everybodys glasses and giving them out to people I wanted to meet. However, we were able to do this concert last December before the pandemic hit, so we were all together in the theater, I mean, 20,000 people at each performance and everyone on stage together. Waite was a great man who was loved by many people despite his faults. He also ran for Congress as a Democrat, in California in 1990 for the Riverside County-based 37th district. In the late 1950s, Ralph Waite started picketing for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. But he always did it with enormous gusto nonetheless. His Broadway appearance came when he starred in "Blues for Mister Charlie." And we will all have it again. NCIS Star Mark Harmon Emotionally Detailed How Ralph Waite Tribute Episode Came to Be in 2015. What's making me smile right now is the memory of working with the wonderful Michael Learned and the great Ralph Waite who played my parents, and what wonderful actors and people they were. But it made everybody laugh. He always seemed more comfortable in front of the camera wearing a dusty pair of work clothes than a suit. This kept on even after his marriage withered completely in 1969. Even though his role in the series was more wholesome, he found himself at odds with it. The Waltons: Our producers had a unique opportunity to sit down with Ralph Waite during the shooting of Old Henry, an INSP original Short-Form series, to answer some of the questions that you recently submitted through the INSP Facebook page.