What To Know
- Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy on The Waltons, still keeps in close contact with many of his former castmates.
- He embraces the show’s enduring popularity and the “Good night, John-Boy” catchphrase.
- The Waltons remains widely accessible today.
Richard Thomas , the actor who played the iconic John-Boy Walton, recently revealed who he still speaks to from The Waltons nearly 50 years after the show ended.
During an interview with People published on May 26, Thomas, 74, reflected on the lasting love fans have for the ’70s historical drama series — including the show’s memorable catchphrase, “Good night, John-Boy.” Each episode of The Waltons ended with the family members saying goodnight to each other, and to this day, fans recite the line to him.
When asked if he ever gets tired of it all these years later, Thomas declared, “Oh God, no,” he says. “Oh no, no. I love it. I get lots of ‘Good night, John-Boys.’ It’s very sweet. It makes me very happy.”
Thomas also shared that he and many of his Waltons costars are “still like a big family” today. The actors he still keeps in touch with today include Michael Learned, 87, Judy Norton, 68, Jon Walmsley, 70, Mary Elizabeth McDonough, 65, David W. Harper, 64, Eric Scott, 67, and Kami Cotler, 60.
“We’re very close, stay in touch all the time,” he explained. “Nothing better could have ever happened to any other actor.”
Thomas added of The Waltons‘ popularity during its heyday, “The reach of that was phenomenal… and hard for people to understand today.”
The Waltons aired for nine seasons from 1972 to 1977. In addition to the actors mentioned above, it starred Ralph Waite, Joe Conley, Ellen Corby, Will Geer, and Ronnie Claire Edwards, among others.
The Waltons, streaming on Peacock, Amazon Prime, Philo, and FRNDLY TV