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Ralph Waite often received letters from children looking for a father in John Walton Sr.
"It’s made me richer in a variety of ways," the actor said of The Waltons.
People often assume that the only route to success is making more money, but that simply isn’t true. Yes, making more money is certainly nice, but there is merit in enriching yourself and immersing yourself with others.
When he joined the cast of The Waltons, Ralph Waite had no idea that he was destined for success in many forms.
“It’s made me richer in a variety of ways,” Waite said during an interview with The Cincinnati Post. “Professionally, the entire cast has grown. All of us are working on sustaining and deepening our Walton characters. And the show’s success has certainly changed my financial situation, in the sense that I’m more comfortable and now can spend some time doing many things I’ve wanted to do.”
Of course, success often leads to new opportunities, though Waite was quick to shirk the offers in the name of good art.
“Yes, because of the show, I’ve been offered several commercial jobs, but I’ve turned them down,” said the actor. “Perhaps I will eventually do some, but right now, I feel a responsibility to The Waltons.”
The series had done more than give him a new lease on life; it gave him a wide fan base. “Most of my mail is from young children who need a father figure,” said the actor. “And, I get a lot of letters from wives, who appreciate the warm interplay between Michael Learned (Mrs. Walton) and me.”
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