The Waltons - Hair & Makeup - behind the scenes with Judy Norton 

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of the actor who played your husband Jonesy😪😪

My memory is the kids weren't made up the first season until the producers complained that it looked wrong during dailies. We looked insanely pale next to the adults. I wonder if they made you and Jon up and not David, Mary and me? And I hated getting pancake on my arms and neck, too. Wet and cold and uncomfortable.

Julie Norton you look Beautiful and everyone in the Walton's Show. 👍👍

The two episodes where Mary Ellen dyes Jim Bobs hair and Olivia gets a perm are priceless. Both Mary Ellen and Verdi laugh at poor Olivia, and then John tells the family that "frizzy says goodnight" at bed time, lol

Nowadays, viewers are extremely observant at catching historical inaccuracies, thanks, I think, largely to "Mad Men", which was painstakingly accurate (they obsessively researched every single detail, whether a character's blouse, a hairstyle or a song playing in the background, to make sure that it fit the period), but with older shows like "The Waltons", I think viewers at that time were more forgiving of little details like Mary-Ellen's Farah-inspired hairstyle. It also probably helped that we only watched the night it aired, and didn't rewatch little clips over and over again on RU-vid, like we do now.

This takes me back to my youth ! I’m glad it popped up on my feed. We watched every single episode when we were younger. Ah the memories !

RIP Richard Gilliland. And period or not, I loved Mary Ellen's later "Farrah" hair. So beautiful (and you still are!)

I’ve grown up with the waltons and miss watching it

Ben and Jim Bob's hair was 1970s style. Really loved the show. All six of the younger Waltons were, to me, just absolutely excellent actors. You were so good in your roles. Even when you were very young, you stayed in character. Very professional. Thanks for the good entertainment.

You guys were truly blessed to be a Walton. The show is a blessing to me no cursing, not prejudice my kind of family, will always love the WALTONS

If I remember correctly you wanted blonder hair like Martha Rose and you experimented on Jim Bob in which his hair turned pinkish 😌

The long hair and the partial bun looked stunning on you Judy.

One of the many good things about your videos is the good feeling you get when watching. I watch your videos everyday when I drink my coffee because they give me a feeling of hope and warmth in a world that's not so kind.

I still think of you as Mary Ellen even now.

I remember a comment Kami Cotler made about the later season’s hairstyles. She said to the effect that the cast had to go to school in real life and they wanted to feel normal, not walking around in 1940s haircuts. I feel the boys should have been sports and did the GI haircuts for two seasons. They could have stuck it out. Ben’s hair was so long he looked like an extra for Saturday Night Fever.

I remember in early episodes of The Waltons how Michael Learned had red hair, but as the show went on, she switched to blond

I love the way hair and makeup was done on all of the actors to bring out thier features to the characters they potrayed.

My mother was born in 1930 in a rural family in the foothills of NC. They raised tobacco and had a garden and a little livestock. She said girls wore long sleeves and hats when working to prevent tans. Having a tan then showed you were poor and had to work in the sun. Also they already knew tans early in life made skin look old much earlier. I figured they made y'all lighter for this reason plus several of you had fair skin. Occasionally she'd point out things that were wrong for the period but not often. They didn't have electricity until after WWII. I am 61 yo and grew up with the Waltons. Didn't watch the last few years until after I was grown but watched up til '78 almost every week. Just discovered your channel. Thanks for the memories.

Love your hairlength right now!

As l remember, you wore your hair down in the first episodes as you said, and occasionally I’d see Erin with her hair in two ponytail and with Elizabeth she always had her hair in ponytails or braids. Anyway that’s how l remembered it 😊! As always ❤loved the show and it’s absolutely my favorite show ever always and forever 🙏♥️ Mrs.Putnam here!♥️🙏♥️

I liked the way they did your makeup and hair.

I didn't know that they were so picky about makeup. You learn something new everyday.

It always amazed me when Olivia got the perm and the next episode she had her normal hair again. I think this was at the end of Season 5 and we were expected to believe it had just grown out in a few months.

I don't know a lot about make-up and hair, but two episodes do stand out. Erin's lack of makeup after the fire in "The Burnout", and the excessive makeup that they had you wear in one scene of "The Actress". These were unusual onscreen looks for both you & Mary, but it did a great job of conveying the message.

Thank you Judy I love the Walton I still watch the show and love listening to you the Walton are like family to me love you all hugs

I am SO GLAD your Agent stepped in and prevented you from getting a bowl cut! In the 70's my hair was reddish brown and long like Mary Ellen's. Photos of my relatives in the 30's in rural WV, the girls did not have bobbed hair. Grandma always wore a bun. My Grandfather believed girls should have long hair.

Judy, A Simple Thank you. The Walton television show still means so much to so many people even to this day. On the last few days of my father's life his eyes would still light up if you saw that The Waltons were coming on. The hospice nurse said it was amazing to see him light up like he did to see that television show. I can't say enough and how much we appreciate everyone who had anything to do with that wonderful show. ❤

Ms. Judy I just watched the Waltons where you "Mary Ellen got married. You looked so Beautiful. Thank you for sharing the Waltons with us. God bless.

Like how the styles changed as you all grew up in the show, great!

Hi Judy! Thank you for your videos, I really love The Waltons and you’re keeping it alive! You look so beautiful!

I think the 70’s hairstyles was accepted, because we were growing with you, and wore our hair the same, so we didn’t notice it wasn’t period appropriate. I loved the style on you. It was sexy. These are the best segments on RU-vid. Thank you, Judy! Much love! ❤️

Every cast member looked so natural and beautiful I wouldn't of thought any needed make-up ❤️

Thank you Judy

Thank you. Judy for sharing behind the scenes ,how they did the hair and makeup.I thought that was inneresting.

I loved the first season of down to earth raw look!!

Thanks for sharing Behind the Scenes of the Walton's

I still watch two episodes daily

I remember having a perm in the 70s that looked exactly like the one Corabeth gave Olivia. It took 8 months to get the curls out 😂 Great episode ✌❤

I’m a hair stylist. I can’t comprehend the inaccuracies in hair styles for the period. But who cares. We love you anyway!

What a pleasant stroll through memory lane.Thank you so much,til next time .

Hello Judy thank you so much for entertaining us thur out the years so love the waltons the waltons remind me of my family my mom had 8 of us 6 girls 2 boys

We love you here in the UK 🇬🇧 Mary-Ellen 💕💕

Thanks Judy for the behind the scenes stories of makeup and hair . You never needed much .. always so pretty. 🌸

Being a fan of the 40s hairstyles for Women, I do wish the series had stayed true to that....but in the big scheme of things, it did NOT interfere w/ the storytelling. I do like the effects used on all of you otherwise...hate to hear it was kinda rough dealing w/ it, but I do believe it enhances any "period" piece of work....I enjoyed learning more about it & Thank you all for your contributions/sacrifices to make the stories more flavorful because of it all~

Thank you, Judy! I just love that large straw hat that you've worn in a few episodes at the beginning. I wish I could find one like it!

Miss Judy I have enjoyed hearing behind the scenes, Of the waltons. I loved the show. I feel like I know the character Maryellen. But most of all for me. It has been nice hearing you speak as Judy. Your self. Thanks again for behind the scenes of the waltons.

Thank you so much, Judy! I really enjoy these behind the scenes episodes where you share insights into the production side of things! I watch the waltons episodes every day, and talk about them on my live streams (completely unrelated to my own content 😆) since I enjoy the series so much! I always look forward to your latest videos!

I loved that show!!!

I watch the Walton’s everyday on me tv

Every family was want to be a Walton hi from Ireland loved it ❤

You are nothing like Mary Ellen which shows what a good actress u are!

Hi Judy I love your RU-vid channel and your insight on the Waltons. I was personal friends with Ancel Cook who did several episodes of the Waltons. He introduced us to Ralph and Ralph became a friend of my mothers. We were living in Palm Springs and Ralph and my mother were working on a project for a drug and alcohol rehab center. Ralph was over at our house one night. I was in my bedroom which was right by the front door and when Ralph left I could not resist. I shouted out good night daddy. Ralph was kind enough to peek his head in my bedroom and say good night Charlie. It’s the moment I will never forget as a big fan of the Waltons. I will continue to watch your channel and enjoy it.

Thanks for making our Monday so much better :)

i am glad you had control of how you did your hair growing it cutting it. i am glad you went with change with your hair and beauty threw out the show

I think Cora Beth's hair REALLY reflected the 40s 'do the best - it looked terrific. And I thought Olivia's & Grandma's hair was perfect too. I loved that Grandpa had that country boy hair length forever - as did John Sr. for the most part. Interesting details on the rest of makeup & hair on y'all!!

It was almost funny seeing how red all the kids hair was in the homecoming, then the series started and all the red hair had faded, but never thought a thing about it, I remember seeing grandma cut grandpa's hair. I know a lot of shows from the 70s that were supposed to be set in earlier times had characters that had modern haircuts, I'm speaking mainly of Little House on the Prairie, and Dean Butler. Again thank you for doing these behind the scenes videos.

Thanks Judy You are part of our Childhood love the videos .

Morn'n Judy, have a great week and thanks for these behind the scenes view of the show.

Thank you for addressing the issue of the hair styles. This is something that bothers me every time I watch a later episode.

Judy I wanted your hair do then! I was a young teenager and really watched yall hairdos! Beautiful!

Happy Days also didn't stay with the period very well.

I remember the granny boots were in style back then in the 70s too. Me and all my sisters had a pair and were soo proud of them lol. One day l watched an episode where Mary Ellen was riding a horse up into the mountains to tend to the folks up there and low and behold she’s wearing a pair of granny boots 👢! For those who don’t remember or weren’t around , the boots had a small heel , came up to the knee and had very close together laces that went all the way up to the top in the front of the boots. They really were so cute. But as with the hair style I m pretty sure they weren’t period style. ❤️😊♥️

your still as beautiful as you were back in the 70s judy!! thank you for another great clip, youll always be my favorite walton!!

Yes you always looked so beautiful!

It's so funny that you mention the hairstyle of the actors in the Waltons. I always noticed that during the years Mary Ellen was a mother and became a nurse, you definitely had the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. I think to some extent, so did Mary, but hers was also kind of like Jaclyn Smith's hairstyle. The guys tended to wear their hair parted to the side, but David Harper had his hair like most of the guys during the 1977-1980, which was to have the hair parted in the middle. Today, they call it the "butt cut". I wore my hair exactly the same. And so did many other guys. The only time a hairstyle was a bit cringe-worthy was on the last reunion special for Eric Scott. He had the mullet going on, but I did, too. Eric has such beautiful red hair and is so darn cute- it's not as bad as some of the Billy Ray Cyrus mullets that pop upon old videos. I loved your hairstyle in the 1960's era reunion special during the Kennedy Assassination. You wore the flip beautifully. I love your current hair length and color. I know all of us Walton fans observe every prop, tree, furniture and other background items from the show. I also watch your "Behind The Scenes" videos each week and I notice your pretty backyard. You had some pretty flowers on what look like a hill. I can see it behind you in the window while you sit in your chair. You're such a beautiful woman and I enjoy your "Behind the Scenes" episodes. By the way- you know that you and Billy Moses (Falcons Crest) were the best athletes on the old "Battle of the Network Stars" specials. Anytime an actress had to swim, kayak or catch a football against you, I knew they were in trouble. Take care Judy

Thank You for sharing these behind the scenes stories. Great to hear your memories of being on the show.

All of you always looked really nice!

These are always so enjoyable. Always enjoy seeing you...

Your Son does a wonderful job editing and adding the clips. And as always you are amazing Judy. 👍🏻😘

Another great journey into the World of the Walton's. Thanks Judy (alias Mary Ellen) for allowing us to see inside the series we all love so much. By the way have Nike send you a check for wearing their logo wear. See you again on the next edition of "Behind the Scenes with Judy". It's a beautiful blue sky day in the middle of America.

Just as beautiful now as you were back then.

Hi Judy, One memorable scene was from "The Actress", they had you wearing some flashy makeup in that episode!🙂🍀

I'm a little behind but I just found out about the death of Richard Gilliland. METV website had a brief story written about him. RIP Jonesy. He was a delightful character.

Fun Facts! I can't imagine having so much stage makeup on at your age. In high school I took a drama class and we played around with that thick stuff. Oh boy! The things we put up with in life!😎Hope you have a great day and thanks again for your behind the scenes videos of The Waltons👍

Thank you so much Judy aka Mary Ellen Walton u make my day watching ur videos keep up the good work, u look amazing by the way

Your long hair was my favorite look!!

You all did such a super JOB.

I remember Mary Ellen & Erin wearing '70s jeans (Jordache?) during an episode where they were riding horses too.

That's something I always find interesting, in shows they do a good job to get everything period correct, the clothes furniture, car style and yet they don't care about the hair, its almost always from the period when the show was shot not when it was set.

Thanks for sharing this article on make up and hair. I did wonder how you all looked great.

Thank you Judy love it. ❤

Thank you so much for sharing i.enjoy watching the waltons

Love these vids you put out. So calming and relaxing. And these take me back to good memories, watching the show as a child and then, watching reruns with my elderly mother in later years. A lot of fun getting a glimpse of behind-the-scenes. Thank you! 😊💕

I love these, Judy. You are a joy, in real life and in the series, which is a treasure. Your voice and manner of speaking are just a wholesome delight. Thank you for preserving these memories. I loved your long hair with the part down the middle :)

The Mary Beth Walton hairstyle of the 1940s was a variation of what actresses Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner, and Veronica Lake had during that era; I never saw it as a period-era issue in the first-run of The Waltons TV series; nor with reruns playing on Me-TV in the 21st Century. The only notable difference was that the viewing audience were seeing Mary Beth's hair on a color TV screen; whereas the 1940s actresses were primary seen on movie screens and magazines in black and white.

Growing up The Waltons was very formative for me. It was and remains a great family show.

I’m late to viewing this but nonetheless loved this behind the scenes on hair and makeup. I always wondered about those “red-headed children” and how the production team managed the discrepancies. Keep them coming, Ms. Judy. We love you.

With today's Hi-Definition tv you can see every single detail, can I say the cast even the men had beautiful eyes, the women all have lush lashes and the eye waterline is so white and really bright, especially the blue-eyed cast members.

Hi Judy, Thanks for the videos. Big fan of the show.

Interesting, especially as I know next to nothing about makeup. Thanks Judy 😊🎈

Great information, Judy! Thank you. 🌹

Wow so interesting! You did look like you had eye makeup on, you are blessed with pretty eyes and lashes. Thanks for sharing

Very interesting, Judy. And I can sympathize with you guys for all that you had to go through.

Thank you.

Growing up watching the waltons was wonderful. I always wanted to be just like Mary Ellen. My middle name is Ellen so I Identified with your character. The waltons gives a sense of calming an connection. Still very much a favorite of mine.

This is so fascinating! Clearly you really loved acting. To tolerate a makeup job like that, and all day too. And under all the intense lighting. Thanks Judy for doing it for us.

This was an interesting vid. TY!

The show was perfect with the hair colors, I am the only blonde in the family, everyone else had brunette colors, I got my color from my dad, he was a blonde as a child, grandmother had red hair, so all hair colors were in my family, super video Judy

Thanks for your insights on hair and makeup .... I did enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Thank You for sharing another great video!! I love watching these videos!!❤️❤️❤️