Martha Walton and her on-screen husband Ralph Waite, according to Michael Learned, “were in love.”
Actors Ralph Waite and Michael Learned achieved widespread acclaim as the iconic TV couple Olivia and John Walton in the enduring series, The Waltons.
The show depicted the daily struggles of a large, multi-generational family navigating the challenges brought about by the Great Depression.
Both Learned and Waite experienced significant career boosts thanks to their roles. Their parallel backgrounds and upbringings added an intriguing layer to their on-screen chemistry. Hailing from sizable families, both actors were the eldest siblings. Learned spent her formative years on a Connecticut farm with her five younger sisters, although she was born in Washington, D.C. At eleven, she left the United States to study at what is now Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Austria.
Learned was 33 when she secured the role that catapulted her to fame. On the other hand, Waite, a White Plains, New York native, enlisted in the Marines after high school and pursued further education.
In contrast to their on-screen personas, Learned and Waite led vastly different lives. Learned, who went through three marriages, married Canadian-American actor Peter Donat at 17, with whom she had three sons. After two more unsuccessful marriages, she found lasting happiness with her current husband, John Doherty.
Learned battled alcoholism during the production of The Waltons, finding solace in Waite’s support. Despite struggling with her own demons, she decided to quit drinking after Waite openly discussed her issues. To aid her recovery, Learned stayed at her ex-husband’s beach house in California.
Waite, like Learned, experienced three failed marriages before finding contentment. Despite their personal happiness, rumors circulated about the nature of their relationship.
After Waite’s passing in 2019, Learned confirmed the long-speculated truth: they were in love but chose not to pursue it due to their unwavering commitment to the show. Aware that a romantic fallout could jeopardize their successful partnership, they kept their relationship on the back burner.
Learned reflected on their unique bond, stating, “We possessed a profound love that might have been compromised had we taken that extra step, and we chose not to.” They considered the possibility but ultimately decided against it, opting to prioritize the television show that captivated millions of viewers.
In essence, their decision to put their personal relationship on hold allowed them to become spiritual partners, and Learned fondly misses Waite, who went on to marry another woman, now a close friend. The deep connection they shared, however, was evident on TV, showcasing their remarkable on-screen chemistry.
Source: cybergenlk
