Ethan Rhodes
Ellen Corby, best known for her role as Grandma Esther Walton in the CBS television series The Waltons, was admitted to the hospital after suffering a stroke. The actress reprised her role in the series after her stroke, with her character also dealing with the after-effects of the medical condition. Corby's performance earned her three Emmy Awards and several nominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Suffering a stroke |
| Outcome | Partial incapacitation, including loss of speech |
| Portrayal in The Waltons | Struggling with her new condition, worrying that her family didn't need her anymore |
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What You'll Learn
Ellen Corby, the actress who played Esther Walton, had a stroke
Ellen Corby, the actress who played Esther "Grandma" Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, suffered a stroke in 1976. This led to her being absent for most of that season. She returned to the series after her stroke, but her role was reduced, and her lines were often limited to one word or short phrases. For example, upon receiving news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, her character exhorted the family to "pray, pray, pray."
Corby's character, Esther Walton, was also written to have had a stroke, and the show depicted her struggling with her new condition and worrying that her family no longer needed her. Despite her stroke, Corby continued to act and appeared in five of the six Waltons reunion movies between 1982 and 1997. Her final role was in "A Walton Easter" in 1997.
Ellen Corby was an American actress and screenwriter born in Racine, Wisconsin, to immigrant parents from Denmark. She grew up in Philadelphia and developed an interest in amateur theatre while in high school. This interest led her to Hollywood in 1932, where she worked as a script girl at RKO and Hal Roach Studios. She held this position for 12 years while taking acting lessons on the side. Her debut as an actress was in the 1946 film "Dark Corner," and she went on to appear in over 100 movies, including "Shane" (1953), "Sabrina" (1954), and "Vertigo" (1958).
For her role as Esther Walton, Corby won three Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and was nominated three additional times. She also won a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV series for The Waltons and was nominated three more times. In addition to her success in television, Corby was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Aunt Trina in the 1948 film "I Remember Mama."
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Corby's character also had a stroke
Ellen Corby, the actress who played Esther Walton, suffered a massive stroke in 1976 or 1977, which impaired her speech and severely limited her mobility. Her character, Esther Walton, also had a stroke, and, like Corby, struggled with her deficits. Corby remained a regular on the show through the end of the 1978–79 season, with her character's lines limited to one-word or one-phrase dialogue. For example, upon receiving news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, she exhorted the family to "pray, pray, pray."
Corby's character did not appear in season 9, the final season of the series. However, she later resumed her role as Grandma Walton in five of the six Waltons reunion movies between 1982 and 1997. Her final role was in A Walton Easter in 1997. Sadly, Corby died in 1999, aged 87, following several years of declining health.
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CBS wanted to fire Corby after her stroke
CBS considered terminating Ellen Corby's contract after she suffered a stroke in 1976. Corby played the role of Grandma Esther Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, for which she won three Emmy Awards.
Following her stroke, Corby's character was written to be struggling with her new condition, worrying that her family no longer needed her. In reality, Corby was able to communicate after her stroke, but her character's lines were usually limited to one-word or one-phrase dialogues. For example, upon receiving news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, she exclaimed, "Pray, pray, pray."
Despite CBS's initial concerns, Corby returned to The Waltons and remained a regular on the show through the end of the 1978–79 season. Her role was reduced to a recurring character during the eighth season, and she did not appear in the ninth and final season of the series. However, she later reprised her role as Grandma Walton in five of the six Waltons reunion movies between 1982 and 1997.
Ellen Corby's resilience and strength of character were commended by her co-star, Michael Learned, who recalled that Corby "struggled but never felt sorry for herself" and had a "great sense of humor." Corby's dedication to her craft and her ability to entertain the cast and crew, even amid challenges, proved CBS's concerns unfounded.
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Corby's return to The Waltons after her stroke
Ellen Corby, the actress who played Grandma Esther Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, suffered a stroke in 1976. Despite this setback, she demonstrated her resilience and dedication to her craft by returning to the show. However, her return came with certain adjustments to accommodate her health condition.
Corby's character, Esther Walton, was depicted struggling with the aftermath of the stroke, mirroring the actress's real-life challenges. The show incorporated her new circumstances, showcasing Esther's difficulties with communication and her fears that her family might no longer need her. Corby's on-screen family expressed their excitement about her homecoming, with Grandpa declaring how much he loved having her back and promising to smother her with kindness.
Corby's lines were adapted to her situation, often limited to one word or brief phrases. For example, upon hearing the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, her character, Esther, fervently exhorted the family to "pray, pray, pray." This reflected the adjustments made to include Corby in the show despite her stroke deficits.
While Corby's role was reduced during the eighth season of The Waltons, she remained a part of the show. Her character's limited appearances continued to be a valuable presence in the series, and she later reprised her role as Grandma Walton in five of the six Waltons reunion movies between 1982 and 1997. Her final role as Esther Walton was in "A Walton Easter" in 1997.
Ellen Corby's determination to continue acting after her stroke is a testament to her passion and commitment to her craft. By returning to The Waltons, she not only enriched the show but also demonstrated her strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. Her performance inspired audiences and showcased the power of art in reflecting life's challenges.
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Corby's three Emmy Awards for her role as Esther Walton
Ellen Corby, who played Esther Walton, won three Emmy Awards for her role in 'The Waltons'. She was nominated six times in total for her work on the show.
Corby's first Emmy win for her role as Esther Walton was in 1973, for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama. She won her second Emmy in 1975, for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Her third Emmy win came in 1976, for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Corby suffered a stroke in 1977, which impaired her speech. She returned to the show in 1978, but her character's lines were usually limited to one word or short phrases. Despite her health struggles, she continued to portray Esther Walton with dignity and warmth, and her performance was recognised with three Emmy Awards.
In addition to her Emmy Awards, Corby also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV series for 'The Waltons'. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Aunt Trina in 'I Remember Mama' (1948). Corby's extensive career spanned both film and television, with appearances in over 75 films and numerous TV shows.
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Frequently asked questions
Esther Walton was in the hospital after suffering a stroke.
Yes, Ellen Corby suffered a stroke in 1976 and had to re-prove herself to CBS.
Yes, she returned to her role on The Waltons, although her lines were usually limited to one-word or one-phrased dialogue.
