Harvey Brownstone Interviews Michael Learned, Emmy Award Winning Actress & Star of “The Waltons”
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth interview with Michael Learned, Emmy Award Winning Actress and Star of “The Waltons”
About Harvey's guest:
Michael Learned is an American actress, known for her role as Olivia Walton in the long-running CBS drama series The Waltons (1972-1981). She has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series four times, which is tied for the record of most wins with Tyne Daly. Three of the wins were for The Waltons (1973, 1974, 1976), while the other was for Nurse (1982).
Learned was born in Washington, D.C. She has five younger sisters: Gretl, Susan, Sabra, Dorit and Philippa.
She lived on a Connecticut farm for the first 10 years of her life. Learned said that her parents never explained why she received a masculine first name, her father telling her elusively: "All he told me was that if I had been a boy, I would have been named Caleb, but I was a girl, so I was called Michael."
When she was 11, Learned moved to Austria, where her father worked for the U.S. State Department. At this time, she attended Arts Educational School, Tring, now Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Tring, Hertfordshire, England. During this time, she discovered the theater and decided to make acting her life's work.
Her first substantial role in either film or television was as Olivia Walton on The Waltons, which ran for nine seasons from 1972 to 1981. For the first five seasons of the show she was billed as "Miss Michael Learned" because she was relatively unknown at the time and producers wished to avoid confusion among viewers about her gender. By the sixth season, as the show continued its success after the departure of co-star Richard Thomas, producers' fear of confusion about her sex had been alleviated and the "Miss" was removed from Learned's billing. She was nominated for six Emmy Awards as Lead Actress in a Drama, winning three times. After the end of the sixth season, she agreed to appear for one more season on the condition that she would not have to work the full nine months. After the seventh season she left the show.
Her character's abrupt disappearance was explained by Olivia developing tuberculosis and entering a sanatorium in Arizona. She made occasional guest appearances until the show's cancellation and later appeared in four of the six Waltons reunion movies made during the 1980s and 1990s. For her portrayal of Olivia Walton, Learned was nominated for four Golden Globe Awards. During her run as Olivia Walton, Learned and The Waltons co-star, Will Geer, appeared together in the 1974 made-for-TV movie Hurricane.
Learned starred as Nurse Mary Benjamin in the hospital drama Nurse, which ran on CBS for six episodes in spring 1981 and then for the 1981-1982 seasons. Though the series was well received critically, it was not a ratings success and lasted only parts of two seasons. Nevertheless, Learned was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and won yet another Emmy for this role in 1982. She later had starring roles in the unsuccessful 1988 drama Hothouse and 1989 sitcom Living Dolls and reprised her Waltons role for a number of television movies and reunions in the 1990s.
In 2005, Learned played Judge Helen Turner on the ABC soap operas All My Children and One Life to Live as part of the "baby switch" storyline on both shows. In the second season of The Secret World of Alex Mack, she guest-starred as a ghost who regretted the decisions of her long-estranged granddaughter, revealed at the end to be the show's main villain, Danielle Atron (Louan Gideon).
She guest-starred in Scrubs as Mrs. Wilk in five episodes from the show's fifth season. She played Shirley Smith on ABC's General Hospital. In the fall of 2011, Learned played Katherine Chancellor on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless, filling in for Jeanne Cooper, who was on extended medical leave from the series.
In the late 1960s, Learned and her husband Peter Donat appeared in various roles with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has appeared in many stage productions on Broadway, off Broadway, and elsewhere, including the 2006-2007 national touring production of On Golden Pond. In the fall of 2008, she starred in Innovation Theatre Works' production of Driving Miss Daisy, playing the title role of Daisy Werthen opposite Willis Burks II as Hoke and Dirk Blocker as Daisy's son Boolie.
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Michael is everyone’s mother and friend. We fans got so attached to her and all of the cast. I was so sad when she left the show.
So was I. But she told me she got tired of “pouring coffee” all day!
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 yes she says that in every interview I’ve ever watched. Cannot blame her!!!
I find it rather hilarious that Michael said of her (Olivia) big break, “I didn’t want to be pouring coffee the rest of my life”! 😂😂
Her role in “Nurse” was pivotal in my decision to be a nurse myself! (I never worked in a hospital as one though!?)
When you think about, her role of Olivia was quite a challenge being that Michael was playing a character that was like 18-20 years older than she was at the time.
She definitely did not enjoy the role or consider it challenging enough
Thanks so much for this great interview with Miss Learned! Thank you, Miss Learned, for creating such a lovely Olivia! I will always love The Walton's and all who created the series! Kind regards! ✨🧡✨💐✨📚✨📝
Thank you so much for watching this very special episode of our show. 🙏❤️
Another wonderful interview. Michael is a warm, loving person and it comes through in this interview.
Thank you so much!!!
Very nice conversation with Ms Learned, Harvey. Thanks.
Thank you so much Mr. Word. I’m very much looking forward to interviewing YOU!!!
One summer I was in Stratford sleeping in the park to see shows. Through hanging around in the arena loft after shows, I met many actors. I babysat Michael's children for a week or so and was allowed to sleep on their sofa. It was a blast.
This interview with Ms. Learned, was probably one of her more endearing. In some I’ve seen her in she has spoken well of The Waltons and then said some not so great things. It’s so easy to binge watch the show and form a ‘bubble’ and think “they are the character.” It’s so not true. Ms. Learned, in her role as Olivia, is an ideal - someone to strive to be , because as she said, she wasn’t perfect, but tried hard to do her best.
Thank you so much for watching, and for your very insightful comments. I hope you’ll check out more episodes of our show!🙏❤️
She was so Beautiful..loved her in her episode as Matt's Love Life..Gunsmoke
Thank you so much for watching
She is the real deal...treasure her
Did you enjoy the interview?
I recently purchased the Walton’s collection. I remember as an kid watching Spencer’s mountain with my mum and loved it .I remember watching bits and pieces of the Walton’s but not watching it regularly. So last yr I started watching judy Norton videos on you tube and had to have the collection. Watching the home coming movie a few yrs ago . I am so happy to have the collection and I hated that Olivier left . We all loved her and John , and for her she was everyone’s mum. I adored her and Ralph and was not surprised that they had an off screen affair, love you Michael the kids became annoying but grandma and grandpa and mum and daddy was wonderful. Looking back the kids were a little disobedient but daddy never seemed to scold or punish the kiddos . Xox from Sydney Australia
What did you think of the interview?
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 you did a great job. Micheal seems a bit shy of the spotlight but she is delightful and actually more like Olivier then I thought. I’d love to see more of these interviews and I will watch some of your older ones . Thank you very much xox love from Sydney Australia
Thank you so much for watching our show. I hope you’ll enjoy some of our other interviews with iconic stars.
Oh my heavens, my heavens….this is so beautiful! You two are so special together. I have loved Michael for so long. As with most people, my Mother and I had a standing date every Thursday night to watch the Waltons. My Mother grew up on a farm during the depression and it always brought out memories and stories that she would share with me. It was such a bonding time for us. I had been acting in local things since I was 6 and knew I was going to be an actor and I held all of the actors on that show in such high esteem. It served as an acting class so often to watch them be so real and watch them be so great at their craft. Harvey, your beautiful heart and appreciation reached her and it made all of our hearts out here so happy! Thank you for your beautiful heart and that beautiful appreciation you have. Thank you for this show. I know you were serious about being in the audience as well as interviewing her and helping her draw out her life stories. You WOULD BE THE PERFECT PERSON and I hope you both do that. What a team. Two very genuine people. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤❤❤❤
Thank you so very much for your beautiful comments. Yes indeed I will be in the audience this summer in Petrolia, which is just 2 hours from my home. And if Ms Learned decides to write a memoir, I will absolutely be by her side to draw the story out of her!
HOW could you not have asked her about being the only woman that ever kissed Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke!? Talk about history.
You’re right!! I blew it!! Sorry. I’ll definitely ask her that next time!
My favorite show ever. I still watch it. Michael Learned is a treasure. My late father-in-law (Bernard Behrens) knew her and had only good things to say.
What really struck me about my conversation with Ms. Learned, was her apparent lack of appreciation for how significant an impact she made on all of us in her portrayal of Olivia Walton. She made it clear that she was bored by the role, because she saw herself as doing nothing more than “pouring coffee”. She seemed genuinely surprised by my efforts to impress upon her that she exemplified the ideal wife and mother, and that she was a valuable and cherished role model for an entire generation of women. I really loved this very candid and intimate interview with a true legend.
Hal Linden is alive
For me, Corby and Will Geer were hams - HAMS! The only way I can watch these shows which I am seeing for the first time, is to record them and then fast-forward when those two have lines. Looked like Corby tried to steal as many scenes and milk her scenes to the nth degree. But, different strokes for different folks. Also, when Richard Thomas left, man alive, took a while for me to adjust. He was so much a life force in that show and, I believe, twas he who made it just so watchable. Of course, Miss Learned did a spectacular job as well.
Interesting perspective. Thank you so much for watching our show, and for sharing.
What a wonderful interview with Ms. Learned. My Brooklyn, NY family watched The Waltons every Thursday night and loved it! My parents grew up during The Depression in an urban environment but the themes of the show still resonated with all of us. I also thought Nurse was a fabulous show but back in those days, cancelling quality programs was more common than we would like to admit. Maybe that's why streaming is so popular. (Question for you Harvey: Have you interviewed anyone who wrote about or knew Eve Arden? The interview with the writer of Kay Ballard's documentary made me think of her and she was such an amazing character actress.) Thanks again, Harvey!
Thank you so much for watching my interview with Michael Leaned, and for your comment. Many of the stars I’ve interviewed knew and worked with Eve Arden, including Ruta Lee, Robert Wagner, Dee Wallace, Lesley Ann Warren, Jerry London, Ray Klausen, George Chakiris, Joan Van Ark and others. I hope you’ll check out our other interviews and consider subscribing to our UA-cam channel. It would mean the world to me!🙏❤️
I so wish I could have known her throughout my life. What a wonderful, humble soul...just makes me love her even more. Olivia Walton was the goal...
What a lovely comment!!! Thank you so much for watching our show!!❤️
A very touching interview, Ms. Learned is so humble and down to earth, your chemistry, Harvey brings out her candor with interesting nuances about the actor's life. I am hoping that you two will be working on her potential memoir! PS...thank you for mentioning the unforgettable Beulah Bondi!
Thank you so much for your very kind comments about this interview, which is very special to me. ❤️
I absolutely adore Michael Learned!
So do I. Interviewing her was a dream come true for me!! I hope you enjoyed this very special episode of our show. ❤️
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 I am jealous that you had the opportunity to talk to her. ;o) If I could talk to her, I would ask a million questions about her career.
I was raised by a narcissist and an alcoholic, I knew my home wasn't right, but I didn't know what was a good home. I actually learned that from that show. I used to wish the character Olivia could show me what was right and wrong. It honestly made a difference in my life. I knew there was hope for some level of 'normal' someday. She's a fantastic actress. I have followed her career as long as I can remember. If I could tell her anything, it would be a simple, "Thank you. Her work meant something."
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. Rest assured that Ms Learned will be made aware of this comment.
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Thank you. She deserves the compliment!
She certainly does. We’ve become dear friends since this interview was filmed. She’s a wonderful human being in every way.
Great interview Harvey.
That’s so kind of you. Thank you so much!
What an absolute delight. You and Michael are wonderful together and her modesty and graciousness is heartwarming. Once again, dear Harvey, you have brought us an insight into someone very special.
Loving this interview. I have watched every single episode, I have the complete series. Loved the Homecoming, I look forward to winter with the Waltons to watch. I no longer watch the news and this series brings me joy. Thanks for this awesome interview with Michael!
Thank you so much for watching, and for your beautiful comment. I hope you’ll check out our other interviews and consider subscribing to our UA-cam channel. 🙏❤️
What a beautiful and interesting conversation. Your knowledge of Ms Learned's career, and your thoughtfulness and perceptivity make for a very engaging interview. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your very kind comments. I hope you’ll subscribe to our UA-cam channel. 🙏❤️
I loved Miss Michael Learned I liked her on the episode of Gunsmoke titled Matt's love story
Wonderful interview!
I hope you meant to write “wonderful”.
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Yes Sir, I did!🙃😁
Thank you so much
Another interview suggestion are the actors from “dark shadows” great tv of the sixties there are a few actors/actresses still alive
Your such a great interviewerHarvey. God bless Michael Learned. I wish you would interview Fannie Flagg.
Thank you so much! I’ll try to contact her
❤
She was amazing on Gunsmoke
I think she was amazing in this interview
She said in interviews that she often felt that her character of Olivia was too much of a caricature.
Yes she gave me that impression as well
As she herself said in other interviews:"A lot of times all I did on that show was pour goddamned cups of coffee!"
She said also that Ralph Waite and Will Geer often mooned her on the set! Imagine Earl Hamner's closing narration:"And so that was the last time dad and grandpa mooned anyone in the kitchen."
Earl Hamner even looked alot like Richard Thomas as a younger man (Richard Thomas played Earl Hamner on the show as the John Boy character (I always found that a pretty silly name)
What did you think of the interview?
I like Michael alot! She may not have become a star but I like her work. She has a small part in the one Bruce Lee film Dragon: The Bruce Lee story though she's wasted in that. She looks a lot like that other actress Loretta Long, the actress who played Susan on Sesame Street (there should have been a Waltons episode where the two of them play long lost sisters!). She and Ralph Waite really did get romantic behind the scenes on the Waltons though neither of them chose to pursue it.
@nicholasjanke3476 she may not have become a star??? Really? She won Emmy Awards for heaven sakes!! She was a huge star!!
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 well my definition of a Star is when you mention a name to the average bloke on the street, and he knows right away who the person is. The average bloke on the street doesn't know Michael Learned. Of course there were big stars from decades ago-Charles Boyer, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck,-that the average bloke wouldn't know today eitheir.
@nicholasjanke3476 if you had mentioned her name in the 70s, everyone would have known who she was. And everyone over 60 knows who she is. The younger generation don’t know her. But they don’t know who Lucille Ball was either. But that doesn’t make her any less a star.
Anyone know why she was billed as Miss in the opening credits of THE WALTONS.?
So that the audience would know that “Michael” was a female.
I wish you could have interviewed ACTOR JAMES OLSON BEFORE HE PASSED
Me too
how did you convince her to do the interview ? did you have to pay her ?
Our show is very well-known in Hollywood. She was delighted to do our show. None of our guests are paid.
Okay, maybe I heard it incorrectly, really loving this interview but did she say Hal Linden passed? Because according to Wikipedia he is still kicking.
She was obviously mistaken. I think she meant to say he was ill.
She meant he passed on the role, not that he passed on.
@dav1237 yes exactly
@@dav1237 oh I'm a little slow. Lol
Her son was or is married to Helen Reddys daughter
Margaret Hamilton guest star on the Waltons???
It's interesting that now she's starring in a horror series.
She’s still in demand as an actress!!
I love you so much can you please send me a message please love ❤️ Lorena
Hi Lorena thank you so much!