The seasoned entertainer has opened up about the insights he’s gained from raising multiple children. Decades after stepping into the spotlight as a child star, here’s a look at his life today.
Richard Thomas, known for playing John-Boy in the beloved drama series, “The Waltons,” has built a lasting television career while also embracing fatherhood. Apart from his work on screen, he is a proud dad to seven children — including triplet daughters.
His path in the entertainment industry began when he was still a child. Recalling his first television appearance, he shared that it was in the 1958 Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Christmas Tree.”
The program featured various holiday-themed stories, including one titled “The Miracle of the Orphanage.” Richard described working alongside Jessica Tandy and Margaret Hamilton as “a very good way to start.”
Performing alongside veteran actors at a young age provided him with a unique learning experience. “The idea of working very early on with older actors — from whom you obviously had a great deal to learn — this is part of the great thing about being a child actor. You’re apprenticing. You’re learning all the time,” he explained.
The experience shaped Richard’s approach to acting, eventually leading him to the role that defined his legacy. In 1971, he was offered a part in “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” a holiday special featuring Patricia Neal. Excited by the chance to work with such a renowned actress, he accepted without hesitation.
At the time, he had already built a strong film career, including “Red Sky at Morning,” which caught the attention of Earl Hamner. Impressed by his performance, Earl pushed for him to join the project.
After “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” aired, CBS developed it into the series, “The Waltons,” which premiered in 1972. Initially, Richard hesitated, reluctant to commit to television full-time. However, after reading the scripts, he found them too compelling to turn down.
Decades later, when the Hollywood star learned that “The Waltons’ Homecoming” was being made 50 years after he starred in the original TV movie, he felt protective of the project that launched his career.
At first, the idea of an entirely new cast made him hesitant, but he came to see it as a tribute to the story’s legacy. He appreciated that the remake allowed a new generation to make the roles their own.
The actor’s decision to join “The Waltons” became a defining moment in his career. His portrayal of John-Boy Walton — the eldest son in a close-knit Appalachian family during the Great Depression — played a major role in the success of the CBS show.
What started as a 1971 television movie turned into a nine-season series, followed by three reunion films. The show’s signature line, “Good night, John-Boy,” became a cultural staple, but Richard never grew tired of it. “It’ll be on my tombstone, I’m sure,” he said in an interview once.
To him, the nightly farewell represented the show’s deeper message, “The ‘good nights’ were emblematic of the show,” he said. Regardless of the challenges the family faced, the conflicts between them, or the hardships they endured, bedtime always brought them back together, restoring their unity.
Richard’s performance in the series earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning the award in 1973.
Though a cesarean reduced the risks, the birth of triplets remained an uncommon event, occurring just once in every 9,300 births. The rarity of the moment, combined with the uncertainty of multiple births, left Richard on edge. “I was holding my breath,” he recalled in an interview. “Anything could have happened.”
The couple’s daughters were born in August 1981. News of the unexpected triplets spread quickly, and playful nicknames soon followed, with many referring to them as John Girl I, John Girl II, and John Girl III.
A few days later, Richard and Alma chose names for their daughters. Their son, Richard Jr., who had initially been unsure about welcoming a new sibling, quickly embraced his role as a big brother.
Richard noted that although his son was initially unsure about having a baby in the family, he “now adores his little sisters, Barbara Ayalla, Gwyneth Gonzalez, and Pilar Alma.”
Years later, his personal life took a new turn. After 18 years of marriage, Richard and Alma divorced in June 1993. A year later, he found love again and married art dealer Georgiana Bischoff in November 1994.
Together, they expanded their blended family. Richard, who had four children from his first marriage, also became a father to Georgiana’s two children, Brooke Murphy and Kendra Thomas.
“We put them together to make six, and then she and I had one who is now eighteen years old,” he shared in a 2014 interview. Their son Montana James Thomas arrived in July 1996.
Among their seven children, two followed creative paths. “Our youngest daughter is an aspiring actress, and our oldest daughter is a postproduction producer,” the proud father revealed.
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter Kendra became a yoga trainer and has shared reflections on her family. In a June 2022 Instagram post, she expressed appreciation for her parents, reminiscing about their travels together.
Kendra’s deep appreciation for family is shared by her siblings, each carving out their own unique path. While she enjoys sharing glimpses of their lives, her sister Brooke prefers to keep a lower profile. A mother herself, she maintains a private social media presence.
Their youngest brother, Montana, pursued poetry despite studying fine arts. He believes that choice shaped his artistic expression, “I think it makes me a better writer and a worse fine artist.”
His early video and installation work frequently incorporated food as a way to explore human interactions, which eventually became a means to critique, celebrate, and engage with people.
In 2024, Montana released his poetry book “Concerning the Dinner,” a project years in the making. Describing the collection, he noted that it was more personal and expressive than his previous work, “Pomeranian.”
“This is more personal and also more New York and way more freeform and kind of angrier,” he shared, expressing excitement about its release.
His social media presence has also garnered attention, with his photos drawing enthusiastic reactions. Comments ranged from admiration to surprise, with one person calling him a “beautiful boy,” another exclaiming, “Omg,” and a third adding, “Hot.”
Montana was eight years old when his family relocated to New York, a city where some of his siblings still reside. In a 2020 interview, Richard divulged that his children are now spread across the country, “We have two in California, three in Bend, Oregon, and two in New York.”
Although their children live in different states, Richard and Georgiana have maintained a strong marriage, celebrating 30 years together. When asked about the foundation of their relationship, he said, “I’m married to the most honest, straightforward person, so you always know where you stand. There’s a lot of trust between us, and we have a lot of fun together.”
Blending their family came with challenges. He acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized their ability to work through them. “It wasn’t always easy… that’s a big job. It causes tension and challenges, but we’ve been able to weather every storm and those complicated parts of life,” the father of seven shared.
Raising a large family taught him to let his children grow into their own identities. “Don’t try to make them be like you. Leave them alone… let them be free to grow into who they are,” Richard said, admitting that it’s easier said than done but essential.
Richard Thomas has built a life rich in family, love, and a career that continues to resonate with audiences. Through every chapter — on and off screen — he remains grateful for the experiences that have influenced him.
