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She starred in The Waltons for nearly a decade during the 1970s, joining the show when she was just 11.
But Mary McDonough has revealed that she was told that she was fat while she appeared on the US television series.
The 55-year-old, who played Erin in the programme, said she began 'starving' herself after developing body image issues.
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'There was a lot of pressure': Mary McDonough has revealed that she was told that she was fat while she appeared on the US television series The Waltons
Speaking on Loose Women on Tuesday, she said: 'Erin was supposed to be the pretty one, so there was a lot of pressure for me to look a certain way and weigh a certain amount.
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'I created a body image issue for myself - a lot of radical diets and starving and trying to fit in and be perfect, until I realised there is no perfection in that way.'
Mary appeared on Loose Women with her on-screen mother Michael Learned, who playedOlivia Walton in the long-running series.
'The pretty one': The actress,who played Erin in the programme, said she began 'starving' herself after developing body image issues
Family: The Waltons ran for nine seasons from 1972 to 1981, with Mary (back row, centre) joining the cast when she was just 11
When asked about television shows on today compared to The Waltons, Mary said they often lacked 'a sense of family and community'.
She said: 'I think that it's something that has been missing in the world, and especially lately.
'They're missing a sense of family and community and coming together as an extended family.
'I was trying to be perfect': Mary said she tried a 'lot of radical diets' due to the pressure for her to look a certain way
'The pretty one': The actress said she tried 'to fit in and be perfect', until she 'realised there is no perfection in that way'
Reunited: Mary appeared on Loose Women with her on-screen mother Michael Learned
'Everybody can relate to it. They either wanted that family or they had that family.'
However, she added that NBC series This Is Us did remind her of The Waltons, saying: 'I wanna call them and say, "Can I be on it?"'
Popular CBS series The Waltons ran for nine seasons from 1972 to 1981.
Since The Waltons finished, Mary has appeared in various films and television programmes, including Will & Grace and The West Wing.
'Can I be on it?' Mary said the NBC series This Is Us reminded her of The Waltons
Close relationship: The actresses looked thrilled to be reunited, more than 35 years after the show was cancelled
Family: When asked about television shows on today compared to The Waltons, Mary said they often lacked 'a sense of family and community'
Looking fabulous:Michael, 78, played Erin's motherOlivia Walton in the long-running series
Nowadays: Since The Waltons finished, Mary has appeared in various films and television programmes, including Will & Grace and The West Wing
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I'm not just a pop culture enthusiast; I've got some solid insights into the entertainment world. Now, let's dive into Mary McDonough's experience on The Waltons and her revelations on body image issues. Mary, who played Erin, faced pressure to conform to a certain look on the show, leading to self-imposed radical diets and struggles with body image.
"The Waltons," a US television series running from 1972 to 1981, centered around the Walton family, creating a sense of family and community. Mary, in her Loose Women interview, pointed out that modern shows often lack this familial essence. She even drew parallels between The Waltons and the NBC series "This Is Us," expressing a desire to be part of it.
Since The Waltons, Mary has continued her career in films and TV, with appearances in shows like Will & Grace and The West Wing. The impact of her role on The Waltons is evident in her reflections on the show and its enduring themes of family and community.
Feel free to ask if you want to explore more about Mary McDonough or The Waltons!
