Characters
The following is a brief summary of the central recurring characters. See the main article for a more complete list.
- John "John-Boy" Walton, Jr. (Richard Thomas, pilot, series seasons 1–5, guest season 6, three movie sequels; Robert Wightman, seasons 8–9 and one movie sequel), the oldest of seven children, aged 17 in season one.
- John Walton, Sr. (pilot, Andrew Duggan; Ralph Waite series and movie sequels), the family patriarch
- Olivia Walton (pilot, Patricia Neal; Michael Learned series seasons 1–7, guest season 8, and movie sequels), John's wife.
- Zebulon Tyler "Zeb/Grandpa" Walton, (pilot, Edgar Bergen; Will Geer seasons 1–6, not replaced after Geer's death), John's father
- Esther "Grandma" Walton (Ellen Corby, appears regularly in season 1 until Corby's stroke midway through season 5; returns in the last episode of season 6 and remains through the end of season 7; then appears only occasionally in seasons 8 and 9 (and subsequently in five of the six sequels), John's mother
- Jason Walton (Jon Walmsley), John-Boy's younger brother, aged 15 in season 1; musically talented
- Mary Ellen Walton (Judy Norton Taylor), the oldest Walton daughter, about two years younger than Jason. She becomes a nurse, and is the first Walton child to marry and have children.
- Erin Esther Walton (Mary Elizabeth McDonough), second Walton daughter. In the first few seasons it is unclear whether she or Ben is older, but she is established as the fourth to graduate from high school in season 5. Works as a telephone operator, and attends business (secretarial) school.
- Benjamin "Ben" Walton (Eric Scott), third Walton son; has an entrepreneurial spirit.
- James Robert "Jim-Bob" Walton (David W. Harper), youngest Walton son; mechanically inclined, his ambition is to become a pilot.
- Elizabeth Walton (Kami Cotler), youngest of the seven children
- Rose Burton (Peggy Rea), seasons 8–9; Olivia's matronly cousin who fills in as matriarch during Olivia's absence. (Rose's portrayer, Peggy Rea, had previously guest starred as a landlady in season 7's "The Empty Nest" episode.)
Read more about this topic: The Waltons
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