‘The Waltons’ Star Admits He Felt ‘Jilted’ by Richard Thomas’s Exit

The Waltons actor Eric Scott is sharing his candid thoughts about his co-star, Richard Thomas‘s decision to depart the beloved ’70s series, which had a nine-season run until 1981.

During an appearance on a March 2026 interview with That’s Classic, Scott, who played Ben Walton, opened up about Thomas’s exit following the historical drama’s fifth season. Scott said that Thomas, who famously starred as John-Boy Walton, was always “very forthright” with his intention to depart the show once season 5 wrapped up. However, Scott said he and his castmates believed that he been “using that as a negotiating ploy” and would “sign for four more years.”

“But he didn’t. He walked away,” said Scott.

Scott also said the he felt “jilted by him leaving,” because he had a friendship with Thomas and felt he was integral to the show’s success.

“He walked away I felt saddened because he was the glue. When you were having something as as successful as The Waltons were for those first five years and it was running, why would you disrupt the whole thing in the middle of it?” continued Scott, who stayed on the series throughout its nine seasons.

While Scott was upset about his on-screen brother’s choice to quit the show, Thomas tried to be “very positive about it.”

“The way he expressed it, he goes, ‘Look it might give you an opportunity to do a lot more work on the show,'” said Scott on the That’s Classic interview.

In addition, Scott complimented Thomas for his acting abilities.

“Richard to me was one of the one of the best actors I’ve ever been around. you know, and certainly from his age, too. He started when he was 21 on the show,” stated Scott during the March 2026 interview.

MeTV reported that Thomas discussed his decision to step away from The Waltons while speaking to The Montreal Star.

“When I signed my contract I decided then that I would remain with the series no longer than five years. That’s long enough to be tied up with one project and I want to go on to other things,” said the actor.

The publication reported that Robert Wightman took on the role of John-Boy during the show’s eighth and ninth seasons.