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Judy Norton-Taylor (1977).jpg Photo by CBS Television –

Top 10 Facts about Judy Norton Taylor

Judy Norton was born on January 29, 1958, in Santa Monica, California. She is an American actress, writer, singer, and theater director who is best known for her role as Mary Ellen Walton on The Waltons television series and subsequent Waltons TV movies. In her early twenties, she posed nude for Playboy to shed her wholesome family image. In August 1985, Judy attempted to show the whole world that she was no longer a child actress. In her early twenties, she decided to pose nude for the later date issue of Playboy to shed her wholesome ‘family’ image. 

In addition, Judy is a singer a talent she exhibited during the 1999 A Walton Christmas: Together Again. Furthermore, she is an athlete, a talent she has shown well during competitive horse jumping, skydiving, skiing, and tennis. This indicates that Judy does not hold onto one talent but she is a multipurpose career person.

Judy’s acting career was at the pick in the 2000s. She was outstanding in the following areas: the role of Rebecca Holt in the film Christy: Return to Cutter Gap; Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft; Blood is Thicker; Finding Harmony; Broken: A Musical; The Sparrows: Nesting and Another Day in Paradise. 

For more information about other famous American Actors/Actresses, click here.

1. Her Playboy Gig

At first, when her career began, she was the child star that captured the hearts of many with her innocent beauty and impressive acting skills. However, after the series The Waltons, getting roles was a bit difficult. Having earned quite the reputation after her decade-long experience on screen, the then 27-year-old decided that she might as well switch things up. 

2. Her Personal Life

Judy Norton-Taylor Mary Ellen Walton 1977.JPG Photo by CBS Television –

Judy began practicing Scientology at age 13 and became a minister in the church. In 1976, she married Douglas Taylor at the age of 18. The marriage however ended in divorce in 1978. In 1980, she married former football player Lynn Hughes whom she later divorced.

In 1991, Judy married Randy Apostle, they had one son before divorcing in 2001. Judy is married to Robert Graves and they have been married ever since. 

3. Her Hidden Talents

Aside from acting, she is also a singer, she showcased her talent in the 1999 A Walton Christmas: Together Again. Judy has been noted as an avid athlete and has participated in competitive horse jumping and skydiving. Judy has also shared that she likes skiing and tennis. 

Judy frequently showcased her athletic skills on Battle of the Network Stars in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her CD Reflections was released in August 2016. Later in 2022, she released the song Home for Christmas

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4. Her Role in The Waltons

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In this American historical drama television series about a family in rural Virginia Judy played Mary Ellen Walton a headstrong oldest daughter who later becomes a nurse. The show was created by Earl Hamner Jr. and is based on his 1961 book Spencer’s Mountain and the 1963 film of the same name. 

The entire series is based on John Walton Jr. and Olivia Walton and their seven children. In the series, World War II heavily affects the family and all four Walton boys end up enlisting in the military. Judy’s character is married to Curtis Willard who is a physician, is sent to Pearl Harbour and is later reported to have perished in the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941.

5. Judy’s Net Worth

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The frequently asked question is how much a multi-talented celebrity makes a year. Even though Judy doesn’t publicly announce her net worth, it has been noted that she has approximately $4 million. Most of her income is from her acting career as well as directing various players and films and writing. 

Many believe that a lot of her wealth is shared with her husband Randy who managed a chain of dinner theatres through Canadian cities including Edmonton and Calgary which are both in Alberta.

6. Judy’s Take On Parenting

Since she joined social media, Judy has been able to share parts of her life with her fans, one of them being parenting. Judy has noted that she will always have time for her family even if she has a lot on her plate. Through social media, she shared a throwback mother and son photo celebrating Devin on his birthday.

Judy describes motherhood as a task that shouldn’t be criticized and overlooked as easy. She describes parenting as a way to build yourself and become a profound entertainer while taking care of your family’s needs.

7. Her Career As a Director

In 2013, Judy got her first chance at being a director for the TV series Bluff where she was also able to act as Sophia Wyndom. She starred in six episodes and directed them all together with Neil Schell. However, Judy was able to fully direct seven episodes of the TV series Disorganized Zone. In the show, her role was the organizer.

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8. Her Filmography From 1967-1979

In 1967, Judy made her debut in the film Hotel where she played the daughter. After her role in the film, she wasn’t seen in a film until 1979 when she played the role of Elizabeth in the film Valentine. Even though she wasn’t seen in the theatres, she played Karen Collins in the TV series The Felony Squad in 1968.

In 1971, Judy played Mary Ellen Walton in Homecoming: A Christmas Story which led to her being cast as a current irreplaceable star in the show The Waltons. When the series reached its finale, she was seen in the film Off Season where she played Mrs. Murchison.

9. Judy’s Acting Career in The 2000s

In the year 2000, she played the role of Rebecca Holt in the film Christy: Return to Cutter Gap.  From 2013-2016, Judy hit her peak. She starred in films back to back, some of them including Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft 2013, Blood is Thicker 2013, Finding Harmony 2014, Broken: A Musical 2015, The Sparrows: Nesting, and Another Day in Paradise. Since 2016, she has only starred in three movies, Nowhere To Hide 2018, Out of the Fight 2020, and Motorvation 2022.

10. Aside Television Career Aside from The Waltons

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Even though she starred in The Waltons, she has been in multiple TV series like the Battle of the Network Stars in 1979, Kraft Salutes Disneyland’s 25th Anniversary in 1980, and Password Plus and Super Password in the latter year. In most of these TV series, she plays herself. In 1982, Judy played Lydia Foster in The Love Boat.  

Even after the show ended, Judy’s character Mary Ellen Walton made appearances in the show, A Wedding on Walton’s Mountain, Mother’s Day on Walton’s Mountain, and A Day for Thanks on Walton’s Mountain. This led to her getting opportunities in the CBS network where she starred as herself in the show Circus of the Stars in 1983 and 1984. 

Later, in the 1990s, she starred as Mary Ellen Walton again in the shows A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion in 1993, A Walton Wedding in 1995, and A Walton Easter in 1997.

For more information about other famous American Actors/Actresses, click here.