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‘The Waltons’ Guest Star Pippa Scott Had a Unique Connection to the Show: Here’s How

In a recent installment of her popular “Behind the Scenes of ‘The Waltons’” video series, Judy Norton talked about the season one episode titled, “The Actress.”

In this episode, which was the 15th of the show’s inaugural season, the chauffeur of an actress leaves her behind on Walton’s Mountain. The character’s name is Alvira Drummond and she was played by Pippa Scott.

Being in this episode of “The Waltons” was not Scott’s only connection to the show. In fact, she had a very close relationship with someone who worked behind the scenes, according to Mary Ellen Walton actress Judy Norton.

“This episode guest-starred Pippa Scott, an actress who had had quite a career in Hollywood,” Norton said. “And at the time that she guest-starred in ‘The Actress,’ she was married to our executive producer, Lee Rich.”

While it might seem that Scott only appeared on “The Waltons” because she was married to Rich, that was not the case, according to Norton.

“So Pippa Scott was married to Lee Rich,” Norton said. “And although perhaps, nepotism got her the audition, there’s no question that her talent landed her the role because she was just terrific in this role.”

Judy Norton Praised Pippa Scott’s Work in ‘The Actress’ Episode of ‘The Waltons’

Pippa Scott brought a lot to her role in “The Actress” episode of “The Waltons,” according to Judy Norton.

“Playing an actress is a very interesting thing,” Norton said. “And she was a very flamboyant and big personality as an actress. Very dramatic – had a lot of flair to her. But, I loved the dimension of the character, because you saw her make all these flips within her choices and her evaluation of the situation.”

As Alvira Drummond, Pippa Scott had an interesting exchange with John-Boy Walton. John-Boy, of course, was played by Richard Thomas.

“When she first meets John-Boy, she dismisses him,” Norton explained. But then, when he expresses how much he admires her as an actress, you see her turn on the charm. And she does indeed charm John-Boy.”

Judy Norton also had more to say about Rich and “The Waltons” television show.

“Lee Rich and Merv Adelson were the two founders of Lorimar Productions who produced ‘The Waltons,’” Norton said.

In addition to “The Waltons,” this production company was also responsible for other popular television shows.

“(Lorimar Productions) later went on to produce ‘Eight is Enough’ and ‘Dallas’ and ‘Knots Landing,’” Norton shared. “So they had quite a successful run in producing television series.”

You can watch Judy Norton talk about “The Actress” episode of “The Waltons” below. Her comments about guest star Pippa Scott begin just after the 1:30 mark of the video. This is just one of many videos about the show that Norton has posted to her YouTube channel.