Ralph Waite played the role of John Walton Jr. on The Waltons. It is hard to imagine that anyone else could play that role, but it turns out it almost went to someone else! Henry Fonda almost got the role. Henry is best known for 12 Angry Men and The Grapes of Wrath. His children are actors Peter Fonda and Jane Fonda.
The showrunner of The Waltons, Lee Rich opens up about how Henry was in talks to play the role. He said, โWe showed the pilot to Henry Fonda. And afterward he turned around to me and said: โWhat do you want me for? The family is the star. You donโt need me.โโ
Henry Fonda almost played John Walton Sr.
![THE SMITH FAMILY, Henry Fonda](https://doyouremember.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/henry-fonda.jpg)
So, Ralph ended up being cast as the patriarch of The Waltons clan but he wasnโt sure about the role at first either! In fact, he almost didnโt go to the audition. His agent told him that the show probably wouldnโt amount to anything so he didnโt have anything to lose.
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![THE WALTONS, Ralph Waite](https://doyouremember.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ralph-waite.jpg)
Of course, the agent was very wrong. The Waltons became a classic and lasted nine seasons. After The Waltons, Ralph appeared on Roots, Days of Our Lives, NCIS, and more. Sadly, he died in 2014 but he will always have a place in the hearts of Waltons fans.
In conclusion, letโs see where the rest of the cast is now: