The seasoned entertainer has opened up about the insights he’s gained from raising multiple children. Decades after stepping into the spotlight as a child star, here’s a look at his life today.
Richard Thomas, known for playing John-Boy in the beloved drama series, “The Waltons,” has built a lasting television career while also embracing fatherhood. Apart from his work on screen, he is a proud dad to seven children — including triplet daughters.
His path in the entertainment industry began when he was still a child. Recalling his first television appearance, he shared that it was in the 1958 Hallmark Hall of Fame production “The Christmas Tree.”
The program featured various holiday-themed stories, including one titled “The Miracle of the Orphanage.” Richard described working alongside Jessica Tandy and Margaret Hamilton as “a very good way to start.”
Performing alongside veteran actors at a young age provided him with a unique learning experience. “The idea of working very early on with older actors — from whom you obviously had a great deal to learn — this is part of the great thing about being a child actor. You’re apprenticing. You’re learning all the time,” he explained.
The experience shaped Richard’s approach to acting, eventually leading him to the role that defined his legacy. In 1971, he was offered a part in “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” a holiday special featuring Patricia Neal. Excited by the chance to work with such a renowned actress, he accepted without hesitation.
Richard Thomas and Patricia Neal on the set of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” 1971 | Source: Getty Images
At the time, he had already built a strong film career, including “Red Sky at Morning,” which caught the attention of Earl Hamner. Impressed by his performance, Earl pushed for him to join the project.
Nehemiah Persoff and Richard Thomas on the set of “Red Sky at Morning,” 1971 | Source: Getty Images
After “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” aired, CBS developed it into the series, “The Waltons,” which premiered in 1972. Initially, Richard hesitated, reluctant to commit to television full-time. However, after reading the scripts, he found them too compelling to turn down.
Decades later, when the Hollywood star learned that “The Waltons’ Homecoming” was being made 50 years after he starred in the original TV movie, he felt protective of the project that launched his career.
At first, the idea of an entirely new cast made him hesitant, but he came to see it as a tribute to the story’s legacy. He appreciated that the remake allowed a new generation to make the roles their own.
The actor’s decision to join “The Waltons” became a defining moment in his career. His portrayal of John-Boy Walton — the eldest son in a close-knit Appalachian family during the Great Depression — played a major role in the success of the CBS show.
What started as a 1971 television movie turned into a nine-season series, followed by three reunion films. The show’s signature line, “Good night, John-Boy,” became a cultural staple, but Richard never grew tired of it. “It’ll be on my tombstone, I’m sure,” he said in an interview once.
To him, the nightly farewell represented the show’s deeper message, “The ‘good nights’ were emblematic of the show,” he said. Regardless of the challenges the family faced, the conflicts between them, or the hardships they endured, bedtime always brought them back together, restoring their unity.
Richard’s performance in the series earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning the award in 1973.
While his career flourished, his personal life was also evolving. In February 1975, the actor married Alma Gonzalez, and a year later, they welcomed their first child, Richard Francisco Thomas.
When Alma became pregnant again, the couple anticipated twins, as multiple births were common in both families. Sonograms taken during Alma’s third and seventh months confirmed two babies.
Alma Gonzalez, Richard Francisco and Richard Thomas pictured on January 1, 1977, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
However, just three weeks before her due date, an unexpected discovery changed everything. During labor, a doctor detected a third heartbeat and scheduled an immediate cesarean.
Richard, who was in New York completing a seven-month run in “Fifth of July,” received a call from Alma with urgent news, “There are three of them. They’re coming out tomorrow, so get here.” Without hesitation, he informed only his stage manager before catching a flight home.
Richard Thomas and Alma Gonzalez photographed on October 22, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Though a cesarean reduced the risks, the birth of triplets remained an uncommon event, occurring just once in every 9,300 births. The rarity of the moment, combined with the uncertainty of multiple births, left Richard on edge. “I was holding my breath,” he recalled in an interview. “Anything could have happened.”
An undated image of Richard Thomas and Alma Gonzalez | Source: Getty Images
The couple’s daughters were born in August 1981. News of the unexpected triplets spread quickly, and playful nicknames soon followed, with many referring to them as John Girl I, John Girl II, and John Girl III.
Richard Thomas and Alma Gonzalez with daughters Gwyneth, Pilar, and Barbara, son Richard, sister-in-law Magdalene and friend Patsy Curtin on May 22, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
A few days later, Richard and Alma chose names for their daughters. Their son, Richard Jr., who had initially been unsure about welcoming a new sibling, quickly embraced his role as a big brother.
Richard and Richard Francisco Thomas pictured on May 22, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Richard noted that although his son was initially unsure about having a baby in the family, he “now adores his little sisters, Barbara Ayalla, Gwyneth Gonzalez, and Pilar Alma.”
Alma Gonzalez, Gwyneth, Pilar, Barbara, Richard and Richard Francisco Thomas pictured on May 22, 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Years later, his personal life took a new turn. After 18 years of marriage, Richard and Alma divorced in June 1993. A year later, he found love again and married art dealer Georgiana Bischoff in November 1994.
Together, they expanded their blended family. Richard, who had four children from his first marriage, also became a father to Georgiana’s two children, Brooke Murphy and Kendra Thomas.
Georgiana Bischoff and Richard Thomas at the premiere of “Ragtime: The Musical,” 1997 | Source: Getty Images
“We put them together to make six, and then she and I had one who is now eighteen years old,” he shared in a 2014 interview. Their son Montana James Thomas arrived in July 1996.
Among their seven children, two followed creative paths. “Our youngest daughter is an aspiring actress, and our oldest daughter is a postproduction producer,” the proud father revealed.
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter Kendra became a yoga trainer and has shared reflections on her family. In a June 2022 Instagram post, she expressed appreciation for her parents, reminiscing about their travels together.
“I love my parents, and miss the days when I was young and we all traveled the globe as a family, but I appreciate the times we have together now even more,” she penned. Alongside her message, she posted photos from their visit to Washington, D.C., adding, “Can’t wait ’till next time!”
Kendra continues to cherish family moments and shared another post in August 2023 during a visit to Los Angeles. It was her first time back since 2019, and the trip brought a mix of nostalgia and change. She reunited with loved ones, reflecting on how some things had remained the same while others had shifted significantly.
Her niece had grown to nearly her height, which she called “no small feat,” and was among the few children her dog actually liked. Spending time with her sister and brother-in-law was a highlight, as she had deeply missed their weekly family dinners.
Despite the passage of time, she embraced the changes, believing they had all grown from them, “We are all a little older but only better for it. Love my friends and fam, ‘Till next time Cali.”
Kendra’s deep appreciation for family is shared by her siblings, each carving out their own unique path. While she enjoys sharing glimpses of their lives, her sister Brooke prefers to keep a lower profile. A mother herself, she maintains a private social media presence.
Their youngest brother, Montana, pursued poetry despite studying fine arts. He believes that choice shaped his artistic expression, “I think it makes me a better writer and a worse fine artist.”
His early video and installation work frequently incorporated food as a way to explore human interactions, which eventually became a means to critique, celebrate, and engage with people.
