Years after appearing on “The Andy Griffith Show,” one of the show’s guest stars would end up on an episode of “The Waltons.”
Joanna Moore, who played Peggy on Griffith’s sitcom in the early 1960s, played a flirty landlord on “The Departure,” an episode of “The Waltons” in 1974. That’s according to an article from MeTV.
Moore appeared in four episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” as the Mayberry sheriff’s girlfriend. She, though, would not return to the CBS sitcom.
Later on, she did appear in another CBS drama in “The Waltons.”
‘The Waltons’ Episode Finds John Walton Going To Norfolk For Some ‘Adventure’
In “The Departure,” John Walton packs a suitcase (much to Elizabeth’s dismay) and heads to Norfolk for some “adventure.” He takes a job at a shipyard and lives in a boarding house overseen by Laura Sue Champion, played by Joanna Moore. The landlady has eyes for her new tenant, and the two share some rather innocent adult bonding.
But that doesn’t last too long. See, John-Boy Walton, played by Richard Thomas, finds his way to the city. He gets John into the car and takes him home as that episode would end.
Want one more TV connection from this episode of “The Waltons”? Ivan Dixon, who played Kinchlow on “Hogan’s Heroes,” directed this episode.
Actress Dealt With Substance Abuse Issues And Found Her Career End in 1986
As for Moore, she dealt with ongoing drug and alcohol issues in her life. It would keep her from really moving forward in her acting career. She was, at one point, married to actor Ryan O’Neal and is the mother of actor-director Tatum O’Neal.
Her career would reach its closure in 1986 with her final on-screen appearance. Moore suffered from lung cancer and died on Nov. 22, 1997, at 63 years old.
“The Waltons” ran for nine seasons on CBS between 1972-81. Its storylines were about a family living in the Depression days as well as through World War II. Waite played patriarch John Walton opposite Michael Learned, who played matriarch Olivia Walton. Besides Thomas, others who played the Walton children included Judy Norton, Kami Cotler, Mary Elizabeth McDonough, Jon Walmsley, Eric Scott, and David W. Harper.
Will Geer played Zebulon Walton, the kids’ grandfather. He was married to Ellen Corby, who played Esther Walton, the kids’ grandmother. Sadly, Geer died during the show’s network run on CBS.
Thomas has stayed busy since “The Waltons” left CBS. He even left before the show ended its run.
But he’s looking for more roles today, as he said in an interview with Closer Weekly.
“In terms of television, it’s always what looks interesting,” he said. “[I like to] keep as much variety as possible in the roles.”
