Michael Learned Says She ‘Didn’t Work for 10 Years’ Because ‘I Was a Pain in the A**’

Lauren Novak October 1, 2:01 pm

LOGGERHEADS, Michael Learned, 2005 — Strand Releasing/Everett Collection

Michael Learned, now 86 years old, has never been one to sugarcoat anything — and that includes her own career lulls. In a recent interview with Steve Kmetko on his Still Here Hollywood podcast, the Emmy-winning star of The Waltons reflected on her years after leaving the beloved family drama and admitted it was not always easy, sharing that on the set of her next show, “I was a pain in the a**, I think. And yeah, I offended a lot of people, and I didn’t work for 10 years.”

After she departed from her role as Olivia Walton, Learned signed on to the 1980s medical series Nurse. She believed in the project, but the scripts often failed to capture the gritty reality of New York City life. When she spotted scenes that felt off, like her character enjoying a hot tub in a small Harlem apartment, or big city apartment doors without locks, she spoke up.

NURSE, Michael Learned, Margaret Hamilton, (Season 2, aired Oct. 1, 1981), 1981-82

CBS/Everett Collection

“There were no hot tubs in Harlem, in New York,” she explained. “There are locks on the doors. There were bolts and locks on every door, no matter what part of New York you’re living in.” However, the way she would butt in and ask for scripts to be changed didn’t always sit well with producers and writers. She began to earn a reputation for being “difficult.”

Although this may have hurt her career for a while, she doesn’t look back with any regrets. After working on the wholesome show The Waltons for many years, she wanted something grittier and wasn’t afraid to speak up. During those quieter years, she got sober alongside former costar Ralph Waite, embraced theater as her artistic “church” and toured Driving Miss Daisy across the country. Eventually, television found her again, with projects ranging from Ryan Murphy productions to her role as Jeffrey Dahmer’s grandmother in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Looking back, Learned does not regret the choices that sidelined her. She still loves to work, treasures the stage and believes in the power of getting the details right.