Mary Beth McDonough charmed TV audiences as Erin Walton on CBS’s hit series The Waltons. She played the character on all nine seasons of the family-friendly drama, as well as in several made-for-tv movies. But there may have been an element of chance in her getting cast in the role of a lifetime.
‘The Waltons’ cast member reminded the show’s creator of his sister [L-r] Mary Beth McDonough (as Erin Walton) and Will Geer (as Zeb Walton) in ‘The Waltons’ | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Earlier in 2023, McDonough appeared on The Ross Owen Show (via YouTube) to chat about her time on The Waltons and how she landed her part on the show.
“I had an agent who never sent me out on any auditions until The Homecoming,” she recalled, speaking of the 1971 TV movie that led to the series. “And the only reason is the hair.”
“They were looking for red-headed kids,...
‘The Waltons’ cast member reminded the show’s creator of his sister [L-r] Mary Beth McDonough (as Erin Walton) and Will Geer (as Zeb Walton) in ‘The Waltons’ | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Earlier in 2023, McDonough appeared on The Ross Owen Show (via YouTube) to chat about her time on The Waltons and how she landed her part on the show.
“I had an agent who never sent me out on any auditions until The Homecoming,” she recalled, speaking of the 1971 TV movie that led to the series. “And the only reason is the hair.”
“They were looking for red-headed kids,...
- 6/17/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Veteran actor Morgan Stevens, best known for his roles in the iconic television series Fame and Melrose Place, has died. He was 70. As first reported by TMZ, Stevens was found dead at his home after a concerned neighbor called authorities to do a wellness check. No cause of death has been revealed, but police suspect no foul play. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 16, 1951, Stevens began his acting career in the 1970s, appearing as Paul Northridge in one episode of The Waltons. He would later reprise the role in three reunion movies, including A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain, where his character married Erin Walton, played by Mary Elizabeth McDonough. Stevens received his big break in the 1980s when he landed the role of teacher David Reardon in the hit NBC series Fame. He starred as Reardon for two seasons between 1982 and 1984. Later in the decade, he appeared in another NBC series,...
- 1/27/2022
- TV Insider
Morgan Stevens, who played numerous roles on television before a tragic confrontation with police derailed his career, was discovered dead at age 70 in his home today as part of a police wellness check. No information on the cause of death was released by police.
His death was first reported by TMZ.
Born October 16, 1951, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stevens headed to Hollywood soon after graduating college. He appeared as Paul Northridge in one episode of The Waltons and in three reunion movies, including A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain, in which his character married Erin Walton (played by Mary Elizabeth McDonough).
His first major role was playing teacher David Reardon during two seasons of the TV show Fame. Stevens appeared in 20 episodes during season 2, then appeared as an occasional guest star when the show was syndicated, writing a third season episode, Catch A Falling Star.
While working on Fame, Stevens also had...
His death was first reported by TMZ.
Born October 16, 1951, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stevens headed to Hollywood soon after graduating college. He appeared as Paul Northridge in one episode of The Waltons and in three reunion movies, including A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain, in which his character married Erin Walton (played by Mary Elizabeth McDonough).
His first major role was playing teacher David Reardon during two seasons of the TV show Fame. Stevens appeared in 20 episodes during season 2, then appeared as an occasional guest star when the show was syndicated, writing a third season episode, Catch A Falling Star.
While working on Fame, Stevens also had...
- 1/27/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Waltons: Homecoming” special at CW has added ten new cast members.
Ben Lawson, Marcelle LeBlanc, Christian Finlayson, Tatum Matthews, Samuel Goergen, Callaway Corrick, Rebecca Koon, Alpha Trivette, Marilyn McCoo, and Billy Davis Jr. will all star in the special. They join previously announced stars Bellamy Young, who plays Olivia Walton, Logan Shroyer, who plays John Boy, and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” in the role of The Narrator.
“The Waltons: Homecoming” comes on the 50th anniversary of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” which aired on CBS in 1971. It is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy (Shroyer), the 17-year-old eldest child of John (Lawson) and Olivia Walton (Young). His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family,...
Ben Lawson, Marcelle LeBlanc, Christian Finlayson, Tatum Matthews, Samuel Goergen, Callaway Corrick, Rebecca Koon, Alpha Trivette, Marilyn McCoo, and Billy Davis Jr. will all star in the special. They join previously announced stars Bellamy Young, who plays Olivia Walton, Logan Shroyer, who plays John Boy, and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” in the role of The Narrator.
“The Waltons: Homecoming” comes on the 50th anniversary of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” which aired on CBS in 1971. It is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy (Shroyer), the 17-year-old eldest child of John (Lawson) and Olivia Walton (Young). His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family,...
- 6/10/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The CW has rounded out the cast for its original made-for-tv movie The Waltons’ Homecoming. Ben Lawson (Firefly Lane) stars as patriarch John Walton Sr., joining previously announced Bellamy Young (Scandal) who stars as his wife Olivia, Logan Shroyer (This is Us) as John Boy and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in The Waltons series, as “The Narrator.”
The Waltons’ Homecoming marks the 50th anniversary of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story television movie, which aired December 19, 1971, and launched the long-running series The Waltons, created by Earl Hamner.
The Waltons: Homecoming is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy, the 17-year-old eldest child of John and Olivia Walton. His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer.
The Waltons’ Homecoming marks the 50th anniversary of The Homecoming: A Christmas Story television movie, which aired December 19, 1971, and launched the long-running series The Waltons, created by Earl Hamner.
The Waltons: Homecoming is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy, the 17-year-old eldest child of John and Olivia Walton. His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer.
- 6/10/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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