For generations of television fans, few shows have captured the warmth and comfort of family life quite like “The Waltons.” And while some actors may grow weary of being tied to a single iconic moment, Richard Thomas says one beloved part of the show’s legacy still makes him smile decades later.
Richard Thomas Never Tires of the Phrase ‘Goodnight John-Boy’
“The Waltons” aired on CBS for nine seasons from September 1972 through June 4, 1981.
The series’ catchphrase, “Goodnight, John-Boy,” became iconic because each episode of the hit television series ended with that statement. What began as a simple nightly exchange between family members eventually became one of the most recognizable sign-offs in television history, forever linked to the show’s nostalgic charm.
PEOPLE Magazine spoke with Richard Thomas, who admitted he’s still fond of the phrase and never tires of hearing it.
“Oh God, no,” he says. “Oh no, no. I love it.” He shares that sometimes when he does shows, during the curtain call, “I get lots of ‘Good night, John-Boys.’ It’s very sweet. It makes me very happy.”
Additionally, the actor told Page Six that he knew it would take some time to remove himself from the iconic role that kick-started his long-running career. “I figured, I’d been in the show for five years,” Thomas said. “It was going to take at least five years to sort of do enough work to start to balance the scales.”
However, Thomas added, “I have nothing but incredible gratitude, affection, and fond memories. It was a wonderful piece of television for its time. The reach of that was phenomenal and hard for people to understand today.”
Why Was ‘The Waltons’ So Popular?
“The Waltons” was the story of a family who banded together to get through the tumultuous historical eras of the Great Depression and World War II. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the series resonated with viewers through its heartfelt portrayal of resilience, faith and close-knit family bonds.
The series was also appointment television, pre-VCR and DVR capabilities, when there were only three networks. “The Waltons” stood out for its warmth, sincerity and deeply relatable family storytelling.
Richard Thomas’ John-Boy became the series’s quiet hero. As the thoughtful eldest son of the Walton family, the aspiring writer often served as the emotional center and narrator of the beloved series.
For years thereafter, Thomas has been closely associated with the character. Though he has gone on to star in television, films, and theatre, and received a Tony Award nomination for the 2017 Broadway revival of The Little Foxes, to some fans, he will also be John-Boy Walton.
The actor believes that he and co-stars Michael Learned, Jon Walmsley, Judy Norton, Mary Elizabeth McDonough, Eric Scott, David W. Harper, and Kami Cotler were able to navigate fame during the ’70s and ’80s without the pressures constant scrutiny.
“It looks easy and fun and fabulous, but it’s very challenging,” Thomas told PEOPLE. “We still had some privacy in our lives.”
Richard Thomas currently stars in Broadway’s “The Balusters.” He is nominated for a 2026 Tony Award for the role of Elliot Emerson.
