Will Geer was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Waltons, Jeremiah Johnson, and Salt of the Earth. He was also known for his activism and passion for folk music.
Personal and Family Life
Will Geer was born on March 9, 1902, in Frankfort, Indiana, to Katherine Aughe and Roy Aaron Ghere. He had a great admiration for his grandfather, who was a teacher and a botany enthusiast. Geer was married to Herta Ware from 1938 until their divorce in 1954, and they had three children together: Ellen, Thad, and Kate Geer. He later became a proud grandfather to Ian Flanders.
Career Highlights
Geer’s long career spanned over six decades, during which he performed in theater, film, and television. He is particularly remembered for his role as Grandpa Zebulon Walton in the beloved TV series The Waltons. Additionally, he was a political activist and performed folk music with notable artists like Woody Guthrie and Burl Ives. Despite being blacklisted during the McCarthy era, he continued to influence theater through his founding of Theatricum Botanicum in California.
Death and Legacy
Will Geer passed away on April 22, 1978, in Los Angeles due to respiratory illness. He left behind a legacy as a committed actor and activist, with his ashes scattered in the Shakespearean garden at Theatricum Botanicum, a testament to his love for the arts and nature.
George Hassell was an American actor, originally from Birmingham, England, who is best known for his roles in La Bohème, Girls’ Dormitory, and Captain Blood. […]