Where is Richard Thomas today? The latest news, interviews, and 2026 Broadway plans
Richard Thomas is widely considered one of the most charismatic actors on Broadway and in Hollywood. Unsurprisingly, he was recently cast to play Mark Twain in Hal’s Mark Twain Tonight. He once said:
Acting is a muscle, and if you don't exercise it, you lose it.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Richard Thomas began acting when he was seven years old and has a soft spot for stage plays.
- He is popularly known as John Boy Walton thanks to his role in The Waltons.
- Richard has a condition that has caused him to lose about 50% of his hearing and requires the use of hearing aids.
Profile summary
Full name | Richard Earl Thomas |
Nickname | John-Boy Walton |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | June 13, 1951 |
Age | 74 years old (in 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Place of birth | Manhattan, New York, United States of America |
Current residence | New York City, New York, United States of America |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christianity |
Ethnicity | White |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height | 5’8.5” (174 cm) |
Weight | 112 lbs (51 kg) |
Hair colour | Black |
Eye colour | Dark brown |
Parents | Richard Scott Thomas and Barbara Fallis |
Siblings | Bronwyn Thomas |
Marital status | Married |
Partner | Georgiana Bischoff |
Ex-wife | Alma Gonzales |
Children | 7 |
Education | Allen Stevenson School, McBurney School, Columbia University (dropout) |
Profession | Actor, director, and producer |
Net worth | $6 million |
Richard Thomas will play in Mark Twain Tonight
John-Boy got the opportunity to play one of his favourite literary figures, Mark Twain. The character was written and has been played for several decades by Hal Holbrook. Representatives of the late legend are planning to revive the show.
According to Broadway in Detroit, Richard spoke about how he got the role. He said:
Towards the end of the (‘Mockingbird’) tour, they reached out to me from Hal’s estate and said: ‘We really think we’d like to revive ‘Mark Twain Tonight!’ and we know Hal would’ve been happy for you to do it. So, are you interested?’ That came out of the blue… and I jumped at it, both feet.
The actor had unintentionally prepared for the role during his national tour in 2023-2024. He reread Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer to better portray the character of Atticus Finch.
Source: Original
John Boy Walton is a generational and multidimensional actor
Richard Thomas grew up in a family of artists. His parents were dancers who established the New York School of Ballet. This early exposure helped him begin acting at seven years old.
He also credited his teacher with helping launch his career. According to a 1989 report by the Los Angeles Times, he said:
My first-grade teacher was a children’s agent on the side in a small way, and she told my parents I should go up for the part of John Roosevelt in ‘Sunrise at Campobello.
Source: Getty Images
He got his breakthrough role in The Waltons
Thomas now boasts numerous film, television series, and stage credits. He got his breakthrough role in the television series The Waltons, which aired between 1972 and 1977. Richard starred in 124 episodes and got his nickname from the show.
Richard seems to prefer working in the theatre. A Charlotte Magazine interviewer asked if he prefers theatre to television, and he said:
There's nothing like working in theatre, primarily because it's a live experience in real time and it's for the people. Doing the play from start to finish and doing it over and over to deepen your performance is a unique experience.
He is a family man
Richard Thomas is still married to his second wife, Georgiana Bischoff. The couple publicised, a year after his highly publicised divorce from his first wife, Alma Gonzales.
Georgina Bischoff is an art dealer, and their romance culminated in a wedding ceremony on November 20, 1994. The ceremony was attended and supported by Richard Thomas’s family. His eldest son served as best man, while his triplet daughters were among Georgiana’s bridesmaids.
Richard Thomas and Georgiana Bischoff’s union produced a son named Montana. John-Boy Walton told Closer Weekly the following about his wife:
I'm married to the most honest, straightforward person, so you always know where you stand.
Source: Getty Images
Richard Thomas has seven children
According to People, Thomas has seven children from his two marriages. The first marriage to Alma Gonzalez produced a son and three triplet daughters. The second marriage to Georgina gave him one biological son and two adopted daughters.
John-Boy Walton’s first son, Richard Francisco Thomas, was born in 1976. The triplets Barbara Ayalla, Gwyneth Gonzales, and Pilar Alma were born in 1981. Richard once joked that he and his eldest son were overwhelmed when the triplets were born.
Today, Richard Thomas’s children are grown and have pursued their own career paths. Two of his daughters are in the filmmaking industry, while his oldest son is a journalist. His youngest son, Montana James, lives in New York and is a poet.
John-Boy has a medical condition
Richard Thomas was diagnosed with Cochlear Otosclerosis in his early thirties. According to The Tabernacle Choir, the medical condition is caused by a bone disorder in the middle ear.
The actor turned this setback into an opportunity to advocate for people with hearing impairments. According to Advanced Ear Care, he is the national chairperson of the Better Hearing Institute.
Source: Getty Images
Frequently asked questions
- What is Richard Thomas doing these days? He is still acting in stage plays and often on movie sets.
- What is the new show with Richard Thomas? The legend will be performing in the play Mark Twain Tonight.
- Is Richard Thomas on Broadway? John-Boy is a regular on Broadway and has recently been on a national tour.
- How many biological children does Richard Thomas have? He has five biological children and two stepchildren.
Conclusion
From The Waltons to Broadway, Richard Thomas today stands as a testament to consistency, passion, and the enduring love of storytelling that has defined his remarkable career. He balances theatre, television, and family life while shining on stage and screen.
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