The television show depicted the lives of a family coping with the challenges brought by the Great Depression, encompassing multiple generations and their struggles.
This series became a significant turning point for both Michael Learned and Ralph Waite, propelling them to stardom almost overnight.
Learned and Waite shared similar backgrounds, growing up in large families as the eldest children. While Learned was born in Washington D.C., she spent most of her childhood on a Connecticut farm with her five younger sisters. At the age of eleven, she moved to Austria and attended the Arts Educational School, Tring, now known as the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Tring, Hertfordshire.
Learned, at the age of 33, was cast in the role that ultimately established her reputation.
On the other hand, Waite spent his early years in White Plains, New York. After completing high school, he served in the Marines before pursuing higher education.
Despite their onscreen portrayals, their personal lives differed significantly. Learned was married three times, with her first marriage taking place at the young age of 17 to Canadian-American actor Peter Donat. Together, they had three sons. Following two more marriages, Learned eventually found her current partner, John Doherty.
During the filming of The Waltons, Learned faced alcohol addiction issues, which were successfully addressed with the help of her onscreen husband. She expressed her gratitude towards Ralph Waite for saving her life during that period. During breaks from filming, Learned would visit local restaurants where she would consume alcohol, often returning to the set intoxicated. Waite openly discussed her problems with her and made her realize the need to overcome her drinking habits. Learned spent time at her ex-husband’s cottage on the California coast to achieve sobriety.
Similarly, Waite had been married three times before finding his true happiness. Despite both finding love, rumors persisted about their relationship.
After Waite’s passing in 2019, Learned confirmed the suspicions that fans had always speculated upon, acknowledging that she and Waite were deeply in love. However, they refrained from pursuing a romantic relationship for the sake of the series, which propelled them to stardom. They recognized that if their relationship had failed, it could have jeopardized their careers.
“We shared a profound love for each other that would have been compromised if we had taken that extra step, and we chose not to,” Learned revealed.
“We never did; we contemplated it, but we didn’t. That’s why we became spiritual husband and wife, so to speak. I miss him dearly. His wife is now a dear friend. But the connection Ralph and I had was something that resonated on the screen.”
They prioritized their commitment to the beloved television series, which entertained millions of fans over the years, over pursuing their personal love for one another.