Richard Thomas began acting as a child, debuting in 1958’s The Christmas Tree. Reflecting on that time, he said, “You’re apprenticing. You’re learning all the time.” His big break came with 1971’s The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which evolved into The Waltons series. Although he hesitated to join TV full-time, he was moved by the scripts and eventually embraced the role of John-Boy. “It’ll be on my tombstone, I’m sure,” he once joked about the iconic line, “Good night, John-Boy.”

In 1975, Richard married Alma Gonzalez. They had four children, including triplet daughters born in 1981. He recalled the surprise, “There are three of them. They’re coming out tomorrow, so get here.” The rare birth was both joyful and nerve-wracking. “I was holding my breath,” he said.

After divorcing in 1993, Richard married Georgiana Bischoff in 1994. Together, they raised seven children from previous relationships and one son, Montana. “We put them together to make six, and then she and I had one,” he shared.

Now married for 30 years, Richard reflects on raising a big family: “Don’t try to make them be like you… let them be free to grow into who they are.”