Mary McDonough Interview: 'The Waltons' Star Pens Memoir: 'Lessons From the ...
After the series ended, McDonough details how she tried to reinvent herself with artificial help (silicone breast implants) and almost died. Over a period of 10 years her health deteriorated. Following the birth of her daughter, Sydnee, McDonough’s health went up and down and she had flu-like symptoms for years. After seeing doctor after doctor she was finally diagnosed with Lupus, a connective tissue disease that affects the immune system.
Following her diagnosis, McDonough went on to become Founding President of Lupus LA and has for more than 14 years been a citizen activist for women’s issues.
Other television credits include The New Adventures of Old Christine ended because you were told you were not “large” enough for other acting roles. But these issues began for you during the run of the series.
Mary McDonough : Oh yeah. I would never have made such a stupid choice had I not already had self esteem issues and body image issues already in place. I was always trying to fit in, trying to fit into the costumes, the beauty pageant stuff, the everything that had happened, you know? And of course it started way before that with my second grade teacher, trying to fit in and be perfect.
Melissa Parker ( Smashing Interviews Magazine ) : You speak in the book about the personal appearances during the series and how there was no publicist to prepare you. That had to add to the angst you were already feeling.
Mary McDonough : Yeah and my total fear, the fear of something that was new and unknown. It wasn’t so much of, “Oh, I couldn’t do anything new,” but it was being constantly put into situations where I didn’t know what was expected of me, but I had this pressure that I had to do it perfectly even though I didn’t know what I was doing. That’s why I refer to it in the book as, “I’m walking the plank all of the time.” I was terrified to make mistakes.
Melissa Parker ( Smashing Interviews Magazine ) : Mary, what happened to you physically after you received the silicone implants?
Mary McDonough : Well, within 24 hours I broke out into a rash all over my back and my chest and the doctor said, “Oh, it’s the bra we put you in.” And of course we know now that implants are severely manipulated to get them into your chest and we know that when implants are manipulated that silicone seeps through them. So I probably had that allergic reaction immediately thinking back on it. But over the course of the 10 years I just couldn’t put my finger on that. I just didn’t feel right.
The Waltons Cast - News
At the age of 10, Mary McDonough was cast as Erin Walton in The Homecoming, the movie of the week that inspired the Emmy award-winning dramatic series The Waltons and overnight her life as a normal kid in a working class family changed.
McDonough's memoir is the first from the cast of the perfect American family and is a poignant story of growing up on Emmy award-winning series “The Waltons,” playing the middle sister, Erin. The show is still being shown worldwide and has fans all
The tax was approved via referendum in a special election that pulled a bleak vote total of 2901 ballots cast, 2368 of which polled in favor of the tax and 533 in opposition. The tax is expected to generate an estimated $5.6 million to cover what has
Walton, writing in tonal and lyrical style, alienated contemporary critics who wanted serially-based contours and claimed that Walton achieved success “only at the expense of his individuality,” referring to Walton's Wagner or Puccini models for this
Though “The Walton's” debuted on television in 1972, Richard Thomas is still recognized for his portrayal of the eldest son, John-Boy. He has, of course, garnered an outstanding career in film, television and performing classics—such as some of
'The Waltons' Cast: Where Are They Now?
Now: Waite has had a long career on television since his time on the Walton farm. He continued acting in father-figure roles; he played Reverend Norman Balthus in HBO's 'Carnivale' and this year he was Father Matt on 'Days of Our Lives' He's also had bit parts on 'Cold Case,' 'CSI' and 'NCIS.' Waite hasn't been so lucky in politics, however. In the '90s he unsuccessfully ran for Congress three times, losing twice in California to Sonny Bono's widow Mary -- by a very wide margin. Then: Credited as "Miss Michael Learned," because the network was worried her first name might confuse viewers, she played soft-spoken and caring mom to the large Walton clan. As a deeply religious Baptist, Olivia was always ready to take in someone in need, despite her large family suffering financial hardships of its own. Learned tapered off her role, becoming a recurring character, until eventually Olivia Walton was diagnosed with tuberculosis and put in a sanatorium in Arizona. Learned earned three Emmys before she left the series. Now: Learned reprised the Olivia Walton character in several of the 'Waltons' reunion shows and TV specials, including 'A Walton Wedding.' After guest parts on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,' her most recent work on screen has been a guest stint on 'Scrubs' as JD's patient Mrs. Wilk, who goes through the five stages of grief after getting a negative prognosis. Since then she's hit the stage in a production of 'Driving Miss Daisy,' as the lead role of Daisy Werthen. Now: In 1977 the actress suffered a stroke. It was written into the show, as her character's struggle to regain speech was chronicled, along with the actress' real-life efforts. The stroke limited her ability to work for many years, and she only stepped back into the acting spotlight to reprise her role as Grandma Walton. Her last on-screen appearance was in the 1997 special 'A Walton Easter.' Corby passed away on April 14, 1999. Then: John Walton Jr., more affectionately known as "John Boy" was the narrator of the series (though the actor was not the voice of the narrator; read on to find out who was). An aspiring writer, John Boy was the eldest of the Walton children and left for college to pursue a career in journalism. Thomas left 'The Waltons' after the fifth season when his contract expired and he decided to pursue other acting roles. He won an Emmy in 1973 for Best Lead Actor in this role.
The Waltons Cast - Bookshelf
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The-Waltons: Cast
THE WALTONS CAST/CHARACTERS. Cast Members/Characters. Cast Birthdays. Cast Deaths. Cast Filmography. Return to The-Waltons Home Page ©2003 Blue Ridge Publications. ...
The Waltons (TV Series 1971–1981) - IMDb
Created by Earl Hamner Jr.. With Jon Walmsley, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Judy Norton.
"The-Waltons": Cast
CAST/CHARACTERS IN "THE WALTONS" John Boy Walton (1972-77) Richard Thomas. John Boy Walton ... Return to The-Waltons Home Page ©2003 Blue Ridge Publications. ...
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"The Waltons" Cast
Cast of The Homecoming (1971) John Walton: Olivia Walton: Grandpa Walton: Grandma Walton: ... The Waltons Cast. The Waltons Episode List. The Waltons Introductions ...