Michael Learned on The Waltons, Leaving at the Height of Fame & Playing Jeffrey Dahmer's Grandmother

She was one of television's most beloved mothers — but Michael Learned's career took her far beyond Walton's Mountain. In this exclusive interview, Emmy winner Michael Learned reveals how she landed the role of Olivia Walton, the insights she brought to making the character complex and real rather than picture-perfect, and how that depth made her one of American television's most cherished mothers. But this is far more than a Waltons reunion. Michael opens up about the truth behind her unusual name, her very public battle with divorce and alcohol, why she walked away from the show at the height of its fame, her Emmy-winning turn in Nurse, her friendship with Helen Reddy, and what it was like playing Jeffrey Dahmer's grandmother opposite Evan Peters in Ryan Murphy's chilling Netflix series. A rare, candid conversation with one of television's true legends — nostalgia, honesty, and a career unlike any other. Producer: Kelley Shepherd Presenter: Craig Bennett 0:00 Start 0:10 Landing the role of Olivia on The Waltons 4:20 The origin of her unusual name 8:00 Divorce and her battle with alcohol 14:00 Why she left The Waltons 15:00 Her Emmy-winning role in Nurse 20:00 Her friendship with Helen Reddy 21:38 Playing Jeffrey Dahmer's grandmother opposite Evan Peters