Why Did Richard Thomas Leave The Waltons? A Look Back at His Departure and Career
The Waltons was one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of the 1970s, depicting the life of a large, close-knit family living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II.
The show was based on the autobiographical writings of Earl Hamner Jr., who also narrated the series as the voice of John-Boy Walton, the eldest son and aspiring writer.
John was played by Richard Thomas, who became a household name and a heartthrob for his portrayal of the sensitive and intelligent character.
Thomas won an Emmy Award and received two Golden Globe nominations for his role, which he played from 1972 to 1977.
However, after the fifth season, Thomas decided to leave the show to pursue other career opportunities and avoid being typecast as John-Boy.
Why Did Richard Thomas Leave The Waltons
Thomas explained his decision in an interview with Studio 10 in 2019.
He said that he had a contract for five years with the showrunners, and when it expired, he felt that it was time to move on for him and his character.
He said that he had no conflict with the producers or the cast and that he loved the part and the show.
Thomas also said that he did not have any other job offer when he left and that it was a risky move.
He said, “It might have been the stupidest thing I ever did in my life, but I don’t regret it because it was my choice.”
The showrunners decided not to write off John-Boy from the series, but instead recast the role with another actor, Robert Wightman.
Wightman played John-Boy from the eighth season until the end of the series in 1981.
He also appeared in one of the TV movie sequels, A Day of Thanks on Walton’s Mountain, in 1982.
However, many fans did not accept the change and missed Thomas’s portrayal of John-Boy.
Thomas himself said that it was a strange thing to do and that it was very hard for people to change their idea of who a character is.
He also said that he felt for Wightman, who was a good actor and a good guy.
Thomas did return as John-Boy for some guest appearances in the sixth and seventh seasons of The Waltons.
He also reprised his role in three other TV movie sequels:
- A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain (1982)
- Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain (1982)
- A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion (1993)
What did Richard Thomas do after the Waltons
After leaving The Waltons, Thomas continued his successful career with a variety of roles in TV, film, and theatre.
He starred in several TV movies, such as:
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
- The Red Badge of Courage (1974)
- Roots: The Next Generations (1979)
- Hobson’s Choice (1983)
- The Master of Ballantrae (1984)
- Johnny Belinda (1982)
- Berlin Tunnel 21 (1981)
- Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story (1983)
- Final Jeopardy (1985)
- Go Toward the Light (1988)
- It (1990)
- Precious Victims (1993)
- Linda (1993)
- Death in Small Doses (1995)
- What Love Sees (1996)
- Annie’s Garden (1997)
- Wonder Boys (2000)
- Wild Hearts (2006)
- Annie’s Point (2005)
- Taking Woodstock (2009)
- Anesthesia (2015)
- To Find My Son (1980)
Thomas also appeared in several TV shows, such as:
- The Americans (2013-2018),
- Billions (2016-2019)
- Ozark (2020-2021)
- Just Cause (2001-2002)
- Promised Land (1996-1999)
- It’s a Miracle (1998-2004)
- The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson (1998)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2003-2017)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2005-2007)
- The Practice (2003-2004)
- NCIS: New Orleans (2018-2020)
- Tell Me Your Secrets (2021-present)
He also worked on Broadway and in other theatres, performing in plays such as:
- The Fifth of July (1980-1981)
- The Front Page (1986-1987)
- Democracy (2004-2005)
- A Naked Girl on the Appian Way (2005)
- Twelve Angry Men (2004-2005)
- Race (2009-2010)
- The Little Foxes (2017)
- The Great Society (2019)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (2020-present).
Thomas is still alive and active as an actor at age 70.
He has been married twice and has six children.
He is also involved in several charitable causes, such as the National Organization on Disability, the March of Dimes, and the Better Hearing Institute.
Conclusion
Richard Thomas left The Waltons after the fifth season to pursue other career opportunities and avoid being typecast as John-Boy.
He was replaced by Robert Wightman, who played the role until the end of the series.
Thomas returned as John-Boy for some guest appearances and TV movie sequels.
He continued his successful career with a variety of roles in TV, film, and theatre.
He is still alive and active as an actor at age 70.
Thomas is also involved in several charitable causes.
He is one of the most respected and beloved actors in the industry, and his legacy as John-Boy Walton lives on in the hearts of many fans.
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