A Conversation with ‘The Waltons’ Actress Michael Learned
My generation may know her best as Olivia Walton from the iconic television show “The Waltons,” but the incredible Michael Learned has played so many memorable roles over the years. It was a pure honor to have a chance to visit with Michael and talk about life, her career and her autobiography-in-the-works.
She is very easy to engage, extending a natural ease of conversation from the start. I know her best from her role as Olivia Walton on The Waltons, but her impressive career has taken Michael in many different directions – from stage to screen and back. Her role on The Waltons earned Michael four Golden Globe nominations and the love and respect of millions of fans around the world.
“It’s always a joy to hear from the fans,” she said during our telephone interview. “The Waltons was shot during a difficult time in my life, but I’ve done so many other projects besides that show.”
Last December, Michael temporarily stepped into the role of Katherine Chancellor on the daytime drama The Young and The Restless so that veteran actress Jeanne Cooper could take some time off.
“It was great fun…I love the fast pace of soaps,” Michael said. She has also appeared in General Hospital and All My Children over the years.
But Michael has a special affection for the theater, going back to the late 1960s when she performed at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco with her former husband, actor Peter Donat. Actors Annette Benning and Danny Glover also performed at the ACT.
“Those were some of the happiest times in my career,” she said. “There was such creativity, such energy. It was truly special in every way.”
She has also appeared in the stage productions of The Best Man, The Sisters Rosensweig, On Golden Pond, Driving Miss Daisy and many others.
As memorable as The Waltons is for many viewers, it was another television show that stands out for Michael.
“I was the lead character in The Nurse,” she said. It was really one of the first shows to shoot in New York and was the first show to have a middle-aged woman in the lead role…it was really quite something at the time.”
The Nurse aired during the 1981-1982 seasons and did fairly well in the ratings, but ultimately was not renewed for a third season. Michael received two Emmy Award nominations and won an Emmy for her role in 1982.
“I really did enjoy shooting that show…I thought it had a lot of potential.”
This summer she will reunite with her The Waltons television husband, actor Ralph Waite, for the summer production of Love Letters. But her current project is the one that has perplexed her the most.
“I’ve started working on my autobiography,” she said. “It’s been a real challenge for me, because part of me was just saying ‘what am I doing?’ and the other part says to keep writing.”
The idea came about with an agent asked her to begin writing her memoirs. “I didn’t have the first clue how to do that or where to start…it creates a certain anxiety in me.”
She is moving along in the process though, triggering her memory by re-reading old letters and memorabilia she has collected throughout her career.
“I’m just trying to make it interesting for the readers and not get too distracted from the process at hand.”
We talked about good writing practices and she seemed more at ease with her task at hand. I suggested she write just one page a day. “I think I can do that…Now if my agent would stop asking me to send him 30 pages,” she said with a chuckle.
The book is yet untitled and no publication date is set just yet. “I’ll get it done,” she promised. “But I might need to call you for some encouragement.”
I was a fan of Michael’s work long before I interviewed her. But, afterwards I am a true admirer of the lovely lady that shared some time with me. She is as warm and personable as I hoped she would be.
And Michael, call me anytime you need encouragement. You can do it.
