During an archived interview, The Waltons star Michael Learned revealed the origins of her unusual name.
When Michael Learned’s parents, Elizabeth and Bruce, were on their honeymoon, they were ready to start talking about babies. The newlyweds wanted a large family, and they would eventually fulfill that wish by having six children—all girls.
While speaking with The Press-Telegramin 1972, Michael Learned, otherwise known as Olivia from The Waltons, said that her unusual name was chosen long before she was even conceived. While her parents were visiting Italy during their honeymoon, they agreed that a future daughter ought to be named Michael.
“They were in Venice, sitting on the beach, on their honeymoon. And they saw a little Italian girl washing her feet under a faucet,” Michael shared. “First, she’d wash one foot, then she’d put it down and get sand on it again as she washed the other.”
Seeing the little girl made Bruce and Elizabeth imagine having one of their own. And they named their future girl on the spot.
“My parents decided at that moment that if they ever had a little girl, they’d call her Michael,”
After having Michael, the Landon’s decided that all of their daughters should have unique names. And they followed through with that plan for all but one of their children. Micheal’s sisters were named Gretl, Sabra, Dorit, Philippa, and Susan. Susan was one of the most common girl names of her time. And Michael had no idea where it came from.
“My father liked unusual names,” Michael continued. “He always wanted everything to be different — he wanted us to be different.”
When Michael was a child, she went by Mike. And as she grew up, her friends and classmates didn’t seem to notice that she had an uncommon name. It was the adults who would make rude comments that made Michael feel self-conscious.
“Adults would usually do a big double-take,” Michael said. “‘Are you sure your name isn’t Michelle, little girl,’ they would ask. They would make me feel guilty. I’d be totally crushed.”
‘The Waltons’ Star Richard Thomas Recalled His Final Interaction with Earl Hamner
Richard Thomas’s Hollywood career was on the right track before he landed the role of John-Boy on The Waltons. But the series turned him into a full-on celebrity. And it was all thanks to The Walton’s showrunner Earl Hamner Jr.
After watching a young Thomas play the lead in Red Sky Morning, Hamner knew the actor had to star in his soon-to-be hit show. And the rest is history.
Hamner and Thomas built a strong friendship that lasted until Hamner’s death on March 24, 2016. And in an interview with Blue Ridge Life Magazine, Thomas remembered the final time he heard from Hamner.
“No I don’t,” he said. “I’m trying to remember. You know, it’s been a while. We exchanged letters because, you know, I don’t get to the West Coast very often. So it’s been several years since we actually saw each other. We exchanged emails. I got a lovely one just a few months before he passed away.”
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Now, let's delve into the information related to the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Michael Learned's Unusual Name Origin:
- Michael Learned, known for her role as Olivia on "The Waltons," revealed in a 1972 interview that her name was chosen by her parents, Elizabeth and Bruce Learned, during their honeymoon in Venice, Italy.
- The decision to name their future daughter Michael was inspired by a moment when they saw a little Italian girl washing her feet on the beach. This unique experience led to the unconventional choice of the name Michael for a girl.
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The Learned Family's Naming Tradition:
- After Michael's birth, her parents decided that all of their daughters should have unique names. The siblings were named Gretl, Sabra, Dorit, Philippa, and Susan (the exception to the unique names).
- Michael's father, Bruce Learned, had a preference for unusual names and wanted his daughters to stand out. Susan was the only sister with a common name, and Michael expressed curiosity about its origin.
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Michael's Childhood Experience with Her Name:
- As a child, Michael went by the nickname Mike, and her friends and classmates didn't find her name unusual.
- It was the adults who would make comments, often mistaking her name for Michelle and making her feel self-conscious. Michael shared that adults' reactions would crush her.
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Richard Thomas's Connection with Earl Hamner Jr.:
- Richard Thomas, who played John-Boy on "The Waltons," had a successful career trajectory before landing the role. Earl Hamner Jr., the show's creator, recognized Thomas's talent after watching him in "Red Sky Morning."
- Hamner and Thomas developed a strong friendship during their time working on the show. Thomas recalled the last communication with Hamner, mentioning exchanged letters and emails a few months before Hamner's passing on March 24, 2016.
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Impact of "The Waltons" on Richard Thomas's Career:
- The article touches on how Richard Thomas's Hollywood career was positively influenced by his role as John-Boy on "The Waltons."
- Earl Hamner Jr.'s recognition of Thomas's talent played a crucial role in Thomas securing the lead role on the show, which ultimately turned him into a celebrity.
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