Why Did Richard Thomas Leave 'The Waltons'? Inside His TV Show Exit

Star actor Richard Thomas left 'The Waltons' after 5 seasons again in the Seventies, and there may be still questions as to why. Go inside his departure.

Samantha Faragalli Younghans - Author

The Waltons used to be one of the crucial standard shows of the Nineteen Seventies, so it is no surprise that finally these years, enthusiasts are still speaking about the hit series. One of the most attractive aspects of The Waltons used to be the loveable, star-studded forged, particularly Richard Thomas, who portrayed John-Boy Walton from 1972 till his departure after Season 5 in 1977. 

So, why did Richard Thomas leave The Waltons ahead of the show ended? Scroll down for the entirety we all know!

Article continues under commercial

Why did Richard Thomas leave 'The Waltons'?

It turns out Richard Thomas simply left The Waltons more than Forty years in the past to pursue other interests, as there have been no information of any form of falling out he had with the show or the community. In reality, despite the fact that he left after 5 seasons, he returned with a couple of visitor appearances in Season 6 and in a slew of Nineteen Nineties movies tailored from the show.

Article continues underneath advertisement

At the end of Richard's storyline as John-Boy on The Waltons, after graduating college, he strikes to NYC to transform an author. He later enlists within the military following the assault of Pearl Harbor and turns into a struggle correspondent.

"John-Boy was a new kind of male protagonist on television," he gushed over his personality to Entertainment Weekly at the cast's 30-year reunion. "That kind of sensitive, feeling man was about as different as a central male character could be on an hour-long series.” 

Although Richard's time on the show ended, the series wasn't quite ready to give up on John-Boy's captivating story. That said, for Seasons 8 and 9, Richard was replaced by actor Robert Wightman. When the character was reintroduced, he's missing in action. So it turned out, he was in a bad plane crash while at war, which forced him to return home for treatment. 

He soon bounced back as a news reporter and ended up marrying the love of his life, Janet, at the end of the show.

Article continues below advertisement

Although Richard concluded John-Boy's storyline, the series creator, Earl Hamner Jr., always raved about Richard's performance. "He was marvelous, and because it became out, he was easiest within the position," Earl once told MeTV. "I continuously said he made a better John-Boy than I did being me. He used to be just best."

Article continues below advertisement

Although Richard admitted that the character of John-Boy was "very wealthy to play," he did say in the same interview that "there are not any words to specific what I owe Earl Hamner," proving that the 2 at all times got along and had a mutual appreciate for one another despite Richard's exit from the show.

After leaving The Waltons, Richard endured his a success career with a plethora of alternative roles including Roots: The Next Generations, Promised Land, The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson, It's a Miracle, Just Cause, The Americans, Billions, Tell Me Your Secrets, NCIS: New Orleans, and extra. 

Here's hoping Richard considers doing a reboot of The Waltons one of this present day! 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhfrLW6ecOim2aqmZi1or7DZquhp52WwG64xJqtnmWknbJuw8Clq6imow%3D%3D