Stella Luchetta Was Ellen Corby’s Friend of More than 4 Decades Who Lived with Her

Stella Luchetta was Hollywood star Ellen Corby's longtime friend. The duo even lived together for years, leading to speculation that they were more than just pals. Corby was only married to one man in her lifetime.

Stella Luchetta is widely known for being the friend of critically acclaimed actress Ellen Corby, who famously played Grandma Walton in the hit drama series, "The Waltons," alongside Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, and Will Geer, who played Grandpa Walton.

In real life, Corby, initially Ellen Hansen, and Geer were part of the LBTQ community, which would be considered a shock to many of the show's fans. While Geer had a male lover during those times, Corby was romantically linked to Luchetta, her longtime pal.

Inside Stella Luchetta & Ellen Corby's Friendship

Corby's last acting stint was in the 1997 TV movie, "A Walton Easter." By the late 1990s, the three-time Emmy Award winner was partially invalid, and her condition made her spend much of her time indoors.

She was said to be spending her free time at her Los Angeles abode, which she had shared with her longtime friend, Luchetta, since 1976, per the biography, "Famous Wisconsin Film Stars." They reportedly bonded over watching "The Waltons" reruns occasionally.

Moreover, a former WHPL librarian once revealed that the two women donated an extensive play collection to the West Hollywood library. It later appeared that Luchetta and Corby were more than friends as they were referred to as female companions instead, having dated for several years.

In 1996, Corby was one of the female stars whom fans believed were lesbians, including former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and actresses Ellen Burstyn and Jodie Foster.

Ellen Corby Was Married to a Man

Despite rumors about being gay, Corby had a husband once. The screenwriter was married to cinematographer Francis Corby from 1934 to 1944. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers.

The TV star's former spouse, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, was also a director. He was known for "His Girl Friend" (1926), "A Haunted Heiress" (1926), and "The Bohemian Girl" (1936). The Roach cameraman sadly died in August 1960 in San Franciso, California.

Corby, who starred in the 1971 television drama "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story," was his second wife. His first was film silent actress Dorothy Seastrom, whom he was married to from October 1924 until her death in January 1930.

Meanwhile, Corby, a Golden Globe Award winner, also passed away on April 14, 1999, at 87 years old, after spending her final days in a nursing home. She was survived by her dearest friend, Luchetta, her friend of 45 years by then, and who originally hails from Los Angeles.

The Wisconsin native's acting career spanned six decades, having appeared in almost 100 feature films, including "I Remember Mama," a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress; "It's a Wonderful Life," in which she played the depositor, the original "Sabrina," "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," and "Please Don't Eat the Daisies."