Richard Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Thomas at thePeabody Awards in May 2015 | |
| Born | Richard Earl Thomas (1951-06-13)June 13, 1951 (age 74) Manhattan, New York, United States |
| Education | Allen-Stevenson School[1] McBurney School Columbia University (dropped out) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 7 |
| Parents |
|
Richard Earl Thomas (born June 13, 1951) is an American actor. He is best known for his leading role as budding authorJohn-Boy Walton in theCBS drama seriesThe Waltons for which he won anEmmy Award.[2] He also received another Emmy nomination and twoGolden Globe Award nominations for that role.[3]
Thomas later starred asBill Denbrough inthe 1990 television miniseries adaptation ofStephen King's epic horror novelIt, and played Special Agent Frank Gaad onFX'sspy thriller seriesThe Americans. More recently, he appeared in Netflix'sOzark and portrayedAtticus Finch in the 2022-2024 tour ofTo Kill a Mockingbird.[4]
Thomas was born on June 13, 1951, inManhattan, the son ofBarbara Fallis andRichard S. Thomas. His parents were dancers with theNew York City Ballet and owned the New York School of Ballet.[5]
Thomas has abirthmark on his left cheek. He has stated that this led to his rejection for a role in a television commercial in his youth.[6]
Thomas was educated at two private day schools for boys, first atAllen-Stevenson School,[1] and then at the now-defunctMcBurney School, both in his home district of Manhattan, New York City.
He was a student atColumbia College, the undergraduate college ofColumbia University, where he majored in Chinese before switching to the English department.[7] After he landed the role inThe Waltons, he left Columbia during his junior year to commit to the role full-time in Los Angeles.[8][9]
In 1958, at age seven, Thomas made his Broadway debut inSunrise at Campobello.[5] In 1959, he appeared in theHallmark Hall of Fame NBC television presentation ofIbsen'sA Doll's House withJulie Harris,Christopher Plummer, andHume Cronyn.[10] He then began acting in daytime TV, appearing in soap operas such asThe Edge of Night (as Ben Schultz, 1961),A Flame in the Wind andAs the World Turns (asTom Hughes, 1966–67) which were broadcast from his native Manhattan. In 1970, he guest starred inNBC'sBonanza ("The Weary Willies").
Thomas's first major film roles were in the auto racing dramaWinning (1969) withPaul Newman[11] and thecoming-of-age storyLast Summer (also 1969) withBruce Davison,Barbara Hershey, andCatherine Burns.[12]
In 1971 Thomas appeared inThe Todd Killings, a psychological thriller released byNational General Pictures, directed byBarry Shear and co-starringRobert F. Lyons,Belinda Montgomery andBarbara Bel Geddes, based on the true crimes of serial killerCharles Schmid. Also in 1971, he starred inRed Sky at Morning, reuniting him withtLast Summer co-star Catherine Burhs, and played the lead in the independent productionCactus in the Snow.[13]
Beginning in 1972, Thomas became recognized worldwide for his portrayal ofJohn-Boy Walton in the TV seriesThe Waltons, based on the life story of writerEarl Hamner, Jr. He appeared in the originalCBS television filmThe Homecoming: A Christmas Story in 1971,[14] which inspired the commissioning of the otherwise largely recast series, The Waltons, and then played the role of John-Boy Walton continuously in 122 episodes. In March 1977, Thomas left the series and his role was taken over byRobert Wightman. However, Thomas returned to the role in threeWaltons TV movies in the 1990s, includingA Walton Thanksgiving Reunion in 1993.[15] Thomas won anEmmy Award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series in 1973.[16]
Thomas played against type as murderer and rapist Kenneth Kinsolving inYou'll Like My Mother in 1972 withPatty Duke.[17] He played the lead roles of Private Henry Fleming in the NBC TV movieThe Red Badge of Courage in 1974[18] and Paul Bäumer in the 1979 CBS TV movie onAll Quiet on the Western Front.[19]
In other TV films, he played Col. Warner's younger son Jim inRoots: The Next Generations (the 1979 sequel to 1977'sRoots),[20] the title role in the biopicLiving Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story in 1983,[21] Will Mossup in CBS'sHobson's Choice in 1983,[22] Henry Durie inThe Master of Ballantrae for Hallmark Hall of Fame,[23] Martin Campbell inFinal Jeopardy,[24] and the adultBill Denbrough in the 1990 television mini-seriesIt, adapted fromStephen King's horror novel.[25]
In 1980, Thomas made his first Broadway appearance in more than 12 years when he was a replacement inLanford Wilson'sFifth of July.[26] In the same year, he appeared as Shad (the young farmer entrusted to employ mercenaries to save his planet from Sador and his invading forces) inBattle Beyond the Stars.[27]
In 1987, he appeared on stage in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., in the one-man tour-de-forceCitizenTom Paine (playing Paine "like a star-spangled tiger, ferocious about freedom and ready to savage anyone who stands in his way," in a staging ofHoward Fast's play set in the bicentennial year of the United States Constitution).[28] In 1990, he joined withNathan Lane at theMark Taper Forum[29] in Los Angeles forTerrence McNally'sThe Lisbon Traviata in the role of Stephan. In 1992 he played the role of Gary Brown on the fil A thousand heroes the disaster of United Airlines flight 232, in 1993, he played the title role in a Shakespeare Theater stage production ofRichard II in Washington, D.C.[30]
Thomas starred in theABC TV movieDeath in Small Doses, directed bySondra Locke. He starred withMaureen O'Hara and hisIt co-starAnnette O'Toole in theHallmark Channel movieThe Christmas Box in 1995.[31]
Thomas appeared in a quartet of performances at theHartford Stage in Connecticut includingHamlet (1987),[32]Peer Gynt (1989),Richard III (1994) andTiny Alice (1996). In 1997 and 1998, he played degenerate Joe Greene in two episodes ofTouched by an Angel and four episodes ofPromised Land.
In 2001, he appeared in London'sWest End in a theatre production ofYasmina Reza'sArt withJudd Hirsch.[33] He also appeared on the New York stage inThe Public Theater's production in Central Park ofAs You Like It in 2005,[34]Michael Frayn'sDemocracy on Broadway in 2004,[35] and the Primary Stages' off-Broadway production ofTerrence McNally'sThe Stendhal Syndrome in the same year.[36]
He hosted thePAX TV seriesIt's a Miracle.[37] He starred in the seriesJust Cause in 2003 for the PAX TV network.
In 2005, he appeared in theRichard Greenburg Broadway debut ofA Naked Girl on the Appian Way.
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In 2006, Thomas began an American theater tour ofReginald Rose's playTwelve Angry Men along withCheers starGeorge Wendt at theShubert Theater inNew Haven, Connecticut, playing the pivotal role of Juror Eight opposite Wendt's Juror One.[38]
In 2009 and 2010, Thomas was featured on Broadway inRace, a play byDavid Mamet. The production was directed by Mamet and includedJames Spader,David Alan Grier, andKerry Washington.[39] In February and March 2011, he starred at the off-BroadwayNew York Public Theater inTimon of Athens.[40]
Thomas played Frank Gaad[5] in theFX Networkperiodspy drama television seriesThe Americans which debuted in January 2013.[41]
Thomas appeared in the 2017 Broadway revival ofThe Little Foxes and was nominated for a 2017Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.[42]
In December 2018, Thomas portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge inPittsburgh CLO's production ofA Musical Christmas Carol.[43]
In February 2021, Thomas portrayed Bodie Lord in the Amazonthrillerdrama television seriesTell Me Your Secrets, appearing in episode 5.
In January 2022, Thomas portrayed Wendy Byrde's estranged father, Nathan Davis, in three episodes of season 4 of theNetflix seriesOzark.
Starting in April 2022, Thomas starred asAtticus Finch in a National Broadway tour of a stage production ofHarper Lee's novelTo Kill a Mockingbird.
In 2024, Thomas played Professor Webb inThornton Wilder's playOur Town, withJim Parsons andKatie Holmes.[44]
As of January 2023, Thomas has been credited onAudible for narrating over 340 books.
In 2025, Richard Thomas would star as Mark Twain in a national touring revival ofHal Holbrook'sMark Twain Tonight.[45]
Thomas married Alma Gonzales in 1975.[46] In 1976, they had a son. Triplet daughters were born in 1981.[47] Thomas and Gonzales divorced in 1993.[48]
Thomas married Santa Fe art dealer Georgiana Bischoff on November 20, 1994[47][49] and their son was born in 1996. Richard adopted Bischoff's two daughters who were from previous marriages.[47] Thomas and Bischoff currently reside in New York.[50]
Thomas is aKentucky Colonel.[51]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Winning | Charley | |
| Last Summer | Peter | ||
| 1971 | Red Sky at Morning | Joshua Arnold | |
| The Todd Killings | Billy Roy | ||
| Cactus in the Snow | Harley MacIntosh | akaYou Can't Have Everything orSoldier Story | |
| 1972 | You'll Like My Mother | Kenny Kinsolving | |
| 1974 | Sisters of the Space Age | Narrator | Short film |
| 1977 | September 30, 1955 | Jimmy J. | |
| 1980 | Battle Beyond the Stars | Shad | |
| 1989 | Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder | Charles Ingalls | Video |
| 2000 | The Million Dollar Kid | Ted Hunter | |
| Wonder Boys | Walter Gaskell | ||
| Bloodhounds Inc. | Robert Hunter | Video | |
| 2009 | Taking Woodstock | Reverend Don Darren Pettie | |
| 2015 | Anesthesia | Mr. Werth | |
| 2021 | Christmas vs. the Walters | Roger | |
| The Unforgivable | Michael Malcolm |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | A Doll's House | Ivor | |
| 1971 | The Homecoming: A Christmas Story | John-Boy Walton | |
| 1974 | The Red Badge of Courage | Pvt. Henry Fleming | |
| 1975 | The Silence | Cadet James Pelosi | |
| 1978 | Getting Married | Michael Carboni | |
| 1979 | No Other Love | Andrew Madison | |
| All Quiet on the Western Front | Paul Bäumer | ||
| 1980 | To Find My Son | David Benjamin | |
| 1981 | Berlin Tunnel 21 | Lieutenant Sandy Mueller | |
| Barefoot in the Park | Paul Bratter | ||
| 1982 | Pavarotti & Friends | Himself | |
| Johnny Belinda | William Richmond | ||
| Fifth of July | Kenneth Talley Jr. | ||
| Christmas at Kennedy Center with Leontyne Price | Himself | ||
| 1983 | Living Proof: The Hank Williams, Jr. Story | Hank Williams Jr. | |
| Hobson's Choice | Will Mossup | ||
| 1984 | The Master of Ballantrae | Henry Durie | |
| 1985 | Final Jeopardy | Marty Campbell | |
| 1988 | Go Toward the Light | Greg Madison | |
| 1989 | Glory! Glory! | Rev. Bobby Joe | |
| 1990 | Andre's Mother | Cal Porter – Andre's Lover | |
| Common Ground | Colin Diver | ||
| 1991 | Mission of the Shark | Lieutenant Steven Scott | |
| Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus | James O'Hanlan | ||
| 1992 | A Thousand Heroes | Gary Brown | akaCrash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 |
| Lincoln | John Hay | Voice role | |
| 1993 | I Can Make You Love Me | Richard Farley | akaStalking Laura |
| Precious Victims | Don Weber | ||
| Linda | Paul Cowley | ||
| A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion | John-Boy Walton | ||
| 1994 | To Save the Children | David Young | |
| 1995 | Death in Small Doses | Richard Lyon | |
| A Walton Wedding | John-Boy Walton | ||
| Down, Out & Dangerous | Tim Willows | ||
| The Christmas Box | Richard Evans | ||
| 1996 | West Virginia: A Film History | Narrator | Voice role |
| What Love Sees | Gordon Holly | ||
| Timepiece | Richard Evans | ||
| 1997 | A Walton Easter | John-Boy Walton | |
| A Thousand Men and a Baby | Dr. Hugh 'Bud' Keenan | akaNarrow Escape | |
| Flood: A River's Rampage | Herb Dellenbach | ||
| 1998 | Big and Hairy | Victor Dewlap | |
| 2000 | In the Name of the People | Jack Murphy | |
| The Christmas Secret | Jerry McNeil | ||
| 2001 | The Miracle of the Cards | Dr. Neal Kassell | |
| 2002 | Beyond the Prairie, Part 2 | Charles Ingalls | |
| Anna's Dream | Rod Morgan | ||
| 2005 | Annie's Point | Richard Eason | |
| 2006 | Wild Hearts | Bob | |
| 2011 | Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow | Dick | akaTime after Time |
| 2021 | The Waltons' Homecoming | John-Boy Walton (voice) / Host | |
| 2022 | A Waltons Thanksgiving | John-Boy Walton (voice) / Host |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Way Out | Jeremy Keeler | Episode: "The Croaker" |
| Great Ghost Tales | Conradin | Episode: "Srendhi Vashtar" | |
| The Defenders | Johnny Remington | Episode: "The Boy Between" | |
| From These Roots | Richard | Unknown episodes | |
| The Edge of Night | Ben Schultz, Jr. | ||
| 1961–1962 | 1, 2, 3 Go! | Himself | 5 episodes |
| 1964 | A Flame in the Wind | Chris Austin | Episode: "#1.1" |
| 1965 | Seaway | Martin Anderson | Episode: "Last Voyage" |
| 1966–1967 | As the World Turns | Thomas Christopher Hughes #4 | Unknown episodes |
| 1969–1970 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Dennis Alan Graham | 2 episodes |
| 1970 | Medical Center | Toby Tavormina | Episode: "Runaway" |
| Bracken's World | Alan | Episode: "Fallen, Fallen Is Babylon" | |
| Bonanza | Billy | Episode: "The Weary Willies" | |
| 1971 | The F.B.I. | John "Chill" Chilton | Episode: "The Game of Terror" |
| 1972 | Night Gallery | Ian Evans | Episode: "The Sins of the Fathers" |
| 1972–1977 | The Waltons | John-Boy Walton | 124 episodes |
| 1973 | Match Game 73 | Himself | 5 episodes |
| 1979 | Roots: The Next Generations | Jim Warner | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible | Mark | Episode: "The Easter Story" |
| 1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Dr. Trask | Episode: "Mute Witness to Murder" |
| It | Bill Denbrough | 2 episodes | |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Dr. Stephen Ledbetter | Episode: "The New Breed" |
| The Invaders | Jerry Thayer | 2 episodes | |
| 1996 | Dave's World | Himself | Episode: "L.A. Times" |
| 1997–1998 | Promised Land | Joe Greene | 4 episodes |
| Touched by an Angel | 2 episodes | ||
| 1997 | Riding the Rails | Narrator | TV documentary |
| 1998 | The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson | David Robinson | 30 episodes |
| 1999 | The Practice | Walter Arens | Episode: "Committed" |
| 1999–2001 | It's a Miracle | Host | 24 episodes |
| 2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Daniel Varney | Episode: "Scourge" |
| 2002–2003 | Just Cause | Hamilton Whitney III | 22 episodes |
| 2006 | Nightmares & Dreamscapes | Howard Cottrell | Episode: "Autopsy Room Four" |
| 2009 | Law & Order | Roger Jenkins | Episode: "Dignity" |
| 2011 | Rizzoli & Isles | Professor Dwayne Cravitz | Episode: "Rebel Without a Pause" |
| 2013–2016 | The Americans | Frank Gaad | 41 episodes |
| 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Nat Randolph | Episode: "Brief Interlude" |
| White Collar | William Wolcott | Episode: "Master Plan" | |
| 2014 | The Good Wife | Ed Pratt | Episode: "Dear God" |
| 2016 | Chicago P.D. | Adam Ames | Episode: "A Night Owl" |
| Elementary | Mitch Barrett | Episode: "Henny Penny the Sky is Falling" | |
| Conviction | Earl Slavitt | Episode: "A Different Kind of Death" | |
| 2017, 2019 | Billions | Sanford Bensinger | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Blue Bloods | Congressman Richard Walters | Episode: "Ghosts of the Past" |
| 2019 | The Blacklist | David Foy | Episode: "The Third Estate" |
| 2019–2020 | NCIS: New Orleans | Deputy Director Van Cleef | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | The Comey Rule | Chuck Rosenberg | 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Tell Me Your Secrets | Bodie Lord | 5 episodes |
| 2022 | Ozark | Nathan Davis | 9 episodes |
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | The Waltons | Won |
| 1974 | Nominated | |||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor – Television Series Drama[52] | Nominated | ||
| 1975 | Nominated | |||
| 1990 | CableACE Awards | Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries | Glory! Glory! | Nominated |
| 1995 | Linda | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play[53] | Incident at Vichy | Nominated |
| 2017 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actor in a Play[42] | The Little Foxes | Nominated |
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