The Waltons Cast Now: Where Are The Surviving John-Boy, Olivia, And The Kids In 2025?

Few television dramas have captured the heart of America quite like The Waltons, the beloved CBS series that ran from 1972 to 1981, chronicling the life of a Depression-era family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The show’s enduring legacy is a testament to its powerful storytelling and the unforgettable cast who brought the characters of Walton’s Mountain to life, a cast that became a second family to millions of viewers.

As of December 2025, the surviving members of the Walton family ensemble continue to be active in the arts, education, and surprising new careers, constantly proving that life after a long-running, Emmy Award-winning series can be just as fulfilling. From major stage tours to new film projects and successful ventures into business and academia, here is a detailed, up-to-the-minute look at where the actors who played John-Boy, Olivia, and the rest of the Walton children are today.

The Walton Family Actors: A Complete Biography & Current Status

The core cast of The Waltons consisted of nine main actors who played the Walton family, alongside the parents and grandparents. This list focuses on the surviving principal actors and their most recent activities, providing a complete profile of their lives since the show ended.

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• Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton)
  • Born: June 13, 1951 (Age 74 in 2025)
  • Role: John-Boy Walton, the eldest son and aspiring writer.
  • Current Status (2025): Highly active stage and screen actor. Starred in Netflix's *Ozark* and was recently seen on Broadway in *Our Town*. He is currently touring the United States with the one-man show *Mark Twain Tonight!* throughout the 2025-2026 season and has been named a 2025 Theater Hall of Fame Inductee.
• Michael Learned (Olivia Walton)
  • Born: April 9, 1939 (Age 86 in 2025)
  • Role: Olivia Walton, the matriarch and moral center of the family.
  • Current Status (2025): Continues to act in film and stage productions. She recently discussed her involvement in the new film *Our Crossroads* and has been a vocal advocate for aging gracefully, calling the process "a gift."
• Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton)
  • Born: January 29, 1958 (Age 67 in 2025)
  • Role: Mary Ellen Walton, the fiery and independent eldest daughter.
  • Current Status (2025): Active as an actress, singer, director, and writer. She frequently connects with fans through her YouTube channel, where she shares behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with former cast members. Her work is currently available to watch on streaming services like Tubi TV.
• Mary McDonough (Erin Walton)
  • Born: May 4, 1961 (Age 64 in 2025)
  • Role: Erin Walton, the middle daughter who often struggled with self-confidence.
  • Current Status (2025): A successful author and novelist. She has transitioned to a writing career and published the book *Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane*, which was adapted into a Hallmark movie. She is also the first cast member to write a memoir about her time on the show.
• Eric Scott (Ben Walton)
  • Born: October 20, 1958 (Age 67 in 2025)
  • Role: Ben Walton, the third son, known for his business-minded nature.
  • Current Status (2025): Left full-time acting and became a successful businessman. He is the owner of Chase Messengers, a parcel delivery service. He is married and a proud father of three children.
• Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton)
  • Born: February 6, 1956 (Age 69 in 2025)
  • Role: Jason Walton, the second son with a passion for music.
  • Current Status (2025): A multi-instrumentalist musician and composer. Following his character's passion, he has focused heavily on his music career, releasing his first solo CD, *Goin' to*, in 2017. He continues to perform and record, occasionally taking on acting roles.
• David W. Harper (Jim-Bob Walton)
  • Born: October 4, 1961 (Age 64 in 2025)
  • Role: Jim-Bob Walton, the mechanical and engineering-minded youngest son.
  • Current Status (2025): Largely stepped away from the entertainment industry. As of 2019, reports indicate he is working as an art dealer in Los Angeles. He has maintained a private life since the series concluded.
• Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton)
  • Born: June 17, 1965 (Age 60 in 2025)
  • Role: Elizabeth Walton, the youngest daughter.
  • Current Status (2025): A dedicated educator and school administrator. She is the former principal and founding principal of the Environmental Charter Middle School in Gardena, California, dedicating her life to education after her acting career. She is occasionally seen at cast reunions.

John-Boy and Olivia: The Most Active Waltons Today

The two actors who played the aspiring writer John-Boy and the steadfast mother Olivia are arguably the most recognizable faces of the surviving cast and have maintained the highest-profile careers in recent years. Their commitment to the stage and screen in 2025 demonstrates a remarkable dedication to their craft.

Richard Thomas’s 2025 Stage Triumph

Richard Thomas, the original John-Boy Walton, has enjoyed a prolific career that has spanned decades, from his Emmy Award-winning role on the Depression-era drama to his recent, critically acclaimed work. In 2025, Thomas is not slowing down; he is currently on a major tour with the one-man show *Mark Twain Tonight!*, a production that brings "the nation's one true comic genius" to life on stage. This extensive tour is scheduled to run through the 2025-2026 season, showcasing his enduring talent and versatility. In addition to his stage work, Thomas has recently been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame for 2025, a significant honor that highlights his career beyond television.

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Michael Learned’s Return to Film

Michael Learned, who won four Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Olivia Walton, has maintained a steady presence in the industry, even after a self-imposed 10-year hiatus following the conclusion of the original series. At 86, Learned continues to embrace new projects. She has been promoting her new film, *Our Crossroads*, and has spoken publicly about her career and her approach to life. Her recent roles and interviews confirm her status as a living television legend and an inspiration for older actors.

From Walton's Mountain to New Careers: The Other Siblings' Surprising Paths

While John-Boy pursued writing and acting, the other Walton children have forged diverse and fascinating paths, proving that the lessons learned on Walton's Mountain translated into real-world success in unexpected fields.

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The Rise of the Walton Women as Authors and Directors

Both Judy Norton (Mary Ellen) and Mary McDonough (Erin) have leveraged their experience in the arts to become creators behind the camera and on the page. Judy Norton is an accomplished theater director and writer, in addition to being an actress and singer. She is highly engaged with the fan community and uses her platform to preserve the memory of the show. Mary McDonough’s transition to a novelist has been particularly successful, with her work being adapted for the screen, an achievement that parallels her character’s artistic family.

The Walton Sons in Business and Education

The male siblings have largely stepped away from the spotlight to focus on entrepreneurial and educational endeavors. Eric Scott (Ben Walton), whose character was often focused on business, now owns and operates Chase Messengers, a successful parcel delivery service. David W. Harper (Jim-Bob Walton) has chosen a very private life, last reported to be working as an art dealer in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton), the youngest, has dedicated her adult life to education, having served as a principal and teacher, a career path that resonates with the wholesome values of the show.

Jon Walmsley’s Enduring Music Career

Jon Walmsley (Jason Walton), whose character was a talented musician, has turned that fictional passion into a real-life career. As a multi-instrumentalist, he has worked as a composer and performer, embracing the life of a professional musician. His 2017 solo album is a testament to his dedication to music, making him one of the few cast members whose professional life mirrors his character's aspirations.

The Waltons We Said Goodnight To: Remembering the Deceased Cast

No retrospective on *The Waltons* is complete without remembering the foundational actors who have passed away. Their performances as the elder members of the family gave the Depression-era drama its soul and gravitas, and they are frequently honored by the surviving cast.

• Ralph Waite (John Walton Sr.): Passed away in 2014. He continued to act up until his death, with notable roles in *NCIS* and *Bones*.
• Will Geer (Grandpa Walton): Passed away in 1978 while the show was still in production.
• Ellen Corby (Grandma Walton): Passed away in 1999. She was a beloved figure who won three Emmy Awards for her role.
• Earl Hamner Jr. (Creator/Narrator): The voice of the show and the man whose childhood inspired the entire series. He passed away in 2016.

The spirit of the Walton family remains strong, not only through re-runs and the recent television remakes like The Waltons: Homecoming, but through the continued careers and close-knit bond of the surviving actors. Their diverse and successful lives are a beautiful continuation of the show's theme: that family, hard work, and goodnight wishes are the keys to a life well-lived.