Michael Learned immediately enchanted viewers with her portrayal of Olivia Walton‚ the matriarch of the titular The Waltons. The character was based on the mother of show creator Earl Hamner Jr.‚ who insisted that she never did a thing wrong. The character he envisioned represented the ideal compassionate figure and it was Learneds keen eye for messy‚ relatable depth that made Olivia real on a whole other level. Now at 85‚ Michael Learned is proud of the work she did after The Waltonsand of what she got up to after leaving the program prematurely.Learned was born on April 9‚ 1939‚ and started the week celebrating her 85th birthday. The trajectory of her career was an unexpected one‚ just as much as her start as a diplomats daughter and a rustic farm girl turned globetrotter. Like Olivia‚ she came to harbor lofty dreams not just of stardom but of bringing complexity to the characters she played‚ a goal that became a source of triumph and troubles for Learned on the set of The Waltons.Why did Michael Learned leave The Waltons?The Waltons came during a turbulent time of change for her / Monty Sherman / TV Guide / courtesy Everett CollectionLearned started her acting career on the stage‚ a medium of storytelling that would cause her some anxiety when she returned to performing in front of a live audience. You could say Im a little apprehensive‚ she admitted‚ referring to a 1980 premiere night for a Broadway play at the Playhouse called After The Season. This is a challenge that is affecting my eating‚ my sleeping. But‚ thats part of the game. Some people in this position get sick. I find my knees wobbling on stage.RELATED: The Bond Between Ma And Pa Walton Was Real Between Ralph Waite And Michael LearnedBut there was a time when Learned felt growing pains switching from the stage to the camera. It was a learning curve that had Learnedalready dealing with separating from her husband while trying to raise kidscontemplating leaving the show. In the early stages of The Waltons‚ I wanted out. I had difficulty making the adjustment from the American Conservatory Theatre‚ she admitted.On top of that‚ she had a wish for Olivia that clashed more than a bit with Hamners rose-tinted vision of the character and her real-life muse. Youve got to have Olivia make a mistake and punish the wrong child or something a little more human‚ she insisted to Hamner. It was during this discussion Hamner told Learned that Olivia was based on his mother who‚ under further questioning‚ he insisted never made such mistakes. The back-and-forth continued‚ though‚ until Learned got his blessing to give Olivia some messy edges and slip-ups here or there.I think that was part of the charm of the show‚ mused Learned‚ that we werent perfect at least not in the first two years. That‚ at least‚ made Olivia more relatable to her‚ as Learned was a self-proclaimed potty mouthand proud of it. Ribald. Dirty jokes. Cussing‚ she listed of her usual repertoire. I have a filthy mouth. I try not to‚ but I do thats who I am‚ Im sorry. That apology is probably directed at the few fans who have heard Learned drop a few vulgar words; hear that‚ it almost knocked them to the floor to know that Olivia Walton knows that word!Learned wanted some imperfections to come out not just in Olivia but in any character she played. She explained‚ I wanted to do something about a woman from many angles. Meanwhile‚ caught in a time-consuming filming schedule‚ there were some days while we were shooting‚ Id stand around all day waiting to deliver one line and that one line might be something as important as Please pass the salt.So‚ she reasoned‚ Eight years is a long time to be doing the same thing. If I didnt push myself to make a move to get out and try something else‚ I never would. All the exploration work on the character had been done. I had reached the point where I couldnt make any more mistakes. I loved the whole family‚ but part of me did not feel fulfilled.Americas mom still celebrates the hardships she faced as Olivia Walton and after as she turns 85THE WALTONS‚ Michael Learned (l)‚ Richard Thomas (r)‚ 1972-1981 / Everett CollectionDespite admitting to having contradictory feelings about the show‚ Learned also harbored a deep‚ unshakeable love for The Waltons that has not wavered now that shes 85. Some of it is gratitude‚ because without it I might not be here with this extraordinary play. But it is also for introducing Olivia to herself and so many others‚ an opportunity that Michael Learned is still thankful for at 85.Its a responsibility‚ really‚ when youre playing that kind of a role‚ said Learned‚ speaking with her on-screen daughter Judy Norton as they reflected on the program.At 85‚ Michael Learned is still active and proud of the work shes done as Olivia / ImageCollectYou are‚ to so many people‚ Americas mom‚ noted Norton‚ you were a role model. Learned knows this is no exaggeration from a castmate; shes been told by a fan‚ I wish I could be a good mother like Olivia.In the past‚ proclamations like that have sometimes gotten a cringe out of Learned. But youd be hard-pressed to find a bigger cheerleader for Olivia when it counted. Olivia Walton has nothing to apologize for‚ shes boasted. She had her integrity intact and didnt question who or what she was. It was very clear to her.Americas mom‚ Olivia Walton‚ today / YouTube screenshotShe did not want to immediately go right back into television after withdrawing from The Waltons‚ but landing the gig on Nurse in 1982 gave her a chance to accomplish that other dream of hers and spread her acting wings a bit‚ dirty a character up if need be‚ and do something about a woman from many angles. Nurse was just that‚ a vehicle that would give me dramatic stuff.But The Waltons still earns deference from Learned‚ who is an active part of discussions about the show whenever Norton comes to call.Wishing Michael Learned a very happy birthday at 85!Click for next ArticleThe post Michael Learned Turns 85 Proud Of The Work She Did During And After The Waltons appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author‚ Dana Daly