'The Waltons' Family Reunited for 50th Anniversary — Fans Were Nostalgic after Seeing Photos
-
"The Waltons" family reunited on the show's 50th anniversary!
-
Richard Thomas, AKA John-Boy, admitted that the event "got [him] right to [his] throat."
-
Fans flooded the comment section with nostalgia after seeing the photos of their favorite cast 50 years later.
Between 1972 and 1981, fans were glued to their television screens watching the series "The Waltons." The show aired nine seasons and was a historical drama centered on a family living through the Depression in Virginia.
The series was a fan-favorite and a nightly staple for those who loved seeing the large, tight-knit family depicted on the show while growing up alongside the television family. Fans were left thrilled when the cast joined together again for six television movies after the series concluded.
Jon Walmsley, Will Geer, Ellen Corby, Ralph Waite, Judy Norton, Mary McDonough, Richard Thomas, Kami Cotler, Michael Learned, Eric Scott, and David Harper in a 1974 photo of "The Waltons" | Source: Getty Images
The films ran between 1982 and 1997. In late 2022, "The Waltons" fans got a treat when the cast of the series reunited for the 50th anniversary of the show, where old memories were shared.
How Was the 50th Anniversary Reunion for "The Waltons"?
On November 17, 2022, "The Waltons" reunited with a public event to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary. The event saw the hit family series cast hosting an exhibit and a Q&A for those in attendance.
The gathering was held at the Hollywood Museum and was hosted by Leonard Maltin, a film and television critic. In the exhibit, fans saw the show's original costumes, scripts, Emmy Awards, props from the set, the typewriter Earl Hamner used to write the series, and so much more.
Seven of the original cast members were physically present, including Michael Learned, who played Olivia Walton; Richard Thomas, who starred as John-Boy Walton; and Judy Norton, who played the character of Mary Ellen Walton.
Jon Walmsley, who starred as Jason Walton, appeared via Zoom from the United Kingdom (UK), Mary McDonough, who played Erin Walton, was featured via video as well, and David Harper, who appeared as Jim Bob Walton.
Eric Scott, who had the role of Benjamin Walton, Kami Cotler, who played Elizabeth Walton, and members of the supporting cast and guest stars all pitched. Thomas, who once played John-Boy, said the costumes in the exhibition touched him.
He also mentioned seeing the Levi jacket that Ralph Waite (played John Walton) used to wear all the time, which "got me right to my throat." The cast had a fantastic time at the event, posing for photos with fans and conversing with them.
They might've been much older then, but they still felt like a big Walton family as they sat on stage joking, talking like they'd never separated, and taking questions from those in attendance. The cast left fans swamped by warm good feelings from the past.
How Did "The Waltons" Bring Back Good Memories?
Scott, who played Benjamin Walton, shared several Facebook posts with photos and videos from "The Waltons" event. Fans rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts, memories, and nostalgia over the posts.
One person believed the event was "wonderful" and thanked Scott for sharing its images. The fan couldn't believe the series was celebrating 50 years and noted how they were 12 back then but weren't the same age now!
Someone else confessed how they had fond memories of watching the show and would still watch it when they had a chance. A third person revealed they were still watching the reruns and thanked the actor for the "wonderful memories" from their childhood.
A fan's comment on Eric Scott's "The Waltons" 50th-anniversary post on November 20, 2022 | Source: Facebook/eric scott
The person recalled watching "The Waltons" with their grandmother each week. Cotler, who starred as Elizabeth Walton, also shared a Facebook post with a throwback poster and costumes from the show with the star's cut-out heads attached to the clothes.
The social media user recalled how they didn't watch much television but was always allowed to watch the show!
A fan's comment on Kami Cotler's "The Waltons" 50th-anniversary post on November 20, 2022 | Source: Facebook/kami cotler
A fan thought the exhibition was "beautiful" and revealed how they were rewatching "The Waltons" back-to-back on Hallmark Drama. The fan also recalled a memory of when they'd view the series with the family, writing:
"I remember when our family used to gather in the family room back in the 70s and watch your show regularly and I've been thinking a lot lately about how much times have changed since then."
A fan's comment on Kami Cotler's "The Waltons" 50th-anniversary post on November 20, 2022 | Source: Facebook/kami cotler
The Facebook user said they'd take back those past days if they could now that they knew what they knew. Someone else acknowledged how they were being cheesy by sharing their gratitude for Cotler's posts.
The fan said the posts made them joyful and reminded them of the best parts of growing up through tough times. The person noted how their childhood had some good memories and that "The Waltons" were a big part of it.
The social media user recalled how they didn't watch much television but was always allowed to watch the show! The fan even got to stay up late watching it and shared how they were a baby or a toddler when the show began.
Cotler's social media follower said they missed the first few years of the series but made up for it later. Being a redhead now, the fan revealed how they dreamt of being a long-lost Walton before thanking the actress for the post.
Subscribe to AmoMama on Google News!