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| Richard Thomas was born in New York City, NY, June 13, 1951. He was just seven years old when he appeared on Broadway in Sunrise at Campobello in 1958. Soon after he appeared in a television presentation of A Doll's House co-starring alongside Julie Harris, Christopher Plummer and Hume Cronyn. This was in 1959.
Other early television appearances by Richard include Great Ghost Tales, a half hour live dramatic series, made in 1961 and an educational children's show called 1,2,3-Go also in 1961. Eventually he appeared on two day time serials during the 1960's: A Time For Us and As the World Turns. His film debut was in Downhill Racer and came whilst he was studying at Columbia University. During this time he also appeared, as a guest actor, in a great many television series including Bonanza, Marcus Welby, Medical Center, and F.B.I. Between 1969 and 1971 he made several television movies, including The Homecoming which lead to the role of John Boy Walton in the series. Richard remained with The Waltons until the end of the fifth season, when he left the show to pursue his acting career further. Whilst playing John Boy, however, he was still able to make several more television movies, including The Red Badge of Courage in 1974. He also directed several of The Waltons episodes. After leaving The Waltons, in 1977, Richard continued to act in many and varied roles including Roots: The Next Generations, Johnny Belinda, Hobson's Choice, The Master of Ballantrae, and Go Toward the Light. These are just a few of his acting pursuits during the late 1970's and 1980's. Unfortunately he did not return to the set of The Waltons in 1982 though, when a series of 3 movies were made, and the role of John Boy was played by another actor. He did return to Broadway, however, in 1980, where he appeared in the play Whose Life is It Anyway. The 1990's have seen Richard Thomas very busy once more on the acting scene and he has made a whole host of television movies including Yes Virginia There is a Santa Claus, The Christmas Box, To Save the Children and A Thousand Men and Baby. Luckily for all Waltons fans, he has also returned to his role in the past three Waltons movies. During the 1990's he has also received critical acclaim for his stage roles in Shakespeare's Richard 11 and Richard 111. He has recently made some television appearances in episodes of Touched By an Angel and The Road Home. He is also listed as being the narrator on several audio books, including Earl Hamner's The Homecoming.
Richard obviously has other talents too, as he has had already had two books of poetry published and is working on a third. He is the father of Richard and triplet daughters, Pilar, Barbara and Gwyneth from a former marriage. More recently though he has remarried and Richard and his new wife have since celebrated the birth of their first baby. | |
