Michael Learned has had quite a career that, obviously, includes playing Olivia Walton on “The Waltons.” She’s been struggling with a memoir.
Learned talked about her dilemma during a 2019 interview with Smashing Interviews.
“I write great pages in the shower, and then I sit in front of the computer and can’t think of a word,” Learned said. “But I have a lot of stuff written.
“I think now I need an editor who needs to say what to write about, what should go where, and what should be filled in,” she said.
‘The Waltons’ Actress Calls Writing Memoir ‘So Egotistical’
Learned, who played “The Waltons” matriarch on CBS, said she has “a bunch of essays or patches for a patchwork quilt.” She adds that it needs to be put together. “But I’m getting the itch to start writing again,” she said.
“It seems so egotistical to write a memoir, but at the same time, I have led a very interesting life, and I have known some very interesting people,” Learned said.
“I think it’s time now to write a little bit about my career and the people I’ve worked with,” she said. “I’ve worked with Chris Plummer, Paul Scofield, Richard Chamberlain, Hal Linden, Tom Bosley. I think people would be interested in hearing about them. I just need to make myself sit down and do it.”
The actress did find success beyond “The Waltons,” yet that show would open doors for her.
Winning Awards For Her Work Didn’t Mean Much To Learned
Michael Learned won four Emmy Awards for her work on “The Waltons.” Apparently, the attention that award shows receive doesn’t sit well with her at all.
“Awards are always an honor, and it’s always nice,” Learned said. “But quite honestly, it’s not even a blip on the radar screen of life.
“But I’m always honored, and I don’t take it very seriously,” she said. “Well, it’s not an Oscar. That would be a deeper honor, but of course, nobody asked me to do movies. So I’ll never get an Oscar. Tonys and Oscars say you’re the best at your craft. The peers have voted, and that really is an honor.”
Learned has received much acclaim for her performances. She has deserved it all as part of a wide-ranging career, too.
