Yesteryear Celebrities Who are Still Alive and Kickin’
Michael Learned, 81 years old
One of the beloved series of the 1970s was The Waltons, whose plot revolved around the life of the Walton family during the Second World War as well as the Great Depression. One of the main character of the show, Olivia Walton, the matriarch of the Walton family, was played by actress Michael Learned. Because her name was often used for boys and men, the show’s producers decided to add a ‘Miss’ before her name, as she was relatively a new actress at that time. Learned’s stint on the show had earned her a record-breaking three Emmy Awards. The next series she appeared in, Nurse, gave her her fourth Emmy. In the show, Olivia Walton disapproved of liquor, however in real life, the actress admitted to hitting rock bottom in the late 70s, becoming an alcoholic. She pushed herself to become sober by staying secluded at her husband’s coastal cabin, and she’s been free of the bottle ever since 1977.
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