1979 mag article on Jon Walmsley's wedding, very interesting

[ForeverWaltons]

The Waltons come down off the mountain as Jon (Jason) Walmsley marries his lady of three years.

The script is corn-syrupy enough to be right out of The Waltons. The guy is young and handsome, with freckles and red hair, a star in a TV series about an all-American family. The girl is a stunner, not in showbiz but wants to be, and she began watching his program all the time because she had a thing for him.

They meet cute: He's in bed recovering from mono, and a friend brings her by. There's a spark and immediately he starts to get better. Within two months she's moved in with him - bringing along her 300 stuffed penguins. It's got to be serious. They decide to marry because, he explains, "We don't want any part of the Lee Marvin fiasco." The actor who plays the guy's father on TV - he's a minister on the side - performs the wedding ceremony in front of the whole cast.

In fact, the story is right out of The Waltons. The groom is Jon Walmsley, 23, who's been Jason Walton, John-Boy's kid brother, since the series premiere in 1972. He and his bride, Lisa Harrison, 23 daughter of actress - turned - scenarist Noreen Stone, had discussed marriage so often during their three years of living together that she didn't quite believe his proposal. Just to make sure he was serious, Jon relates, "She made me get down on my knees."

Their wedding was a family-rated special: Ralph Waite, Jon's TV dad and an ordained United Church of Christ minister, led them in their vows. "I didn't know whether I was the father, the minister or a friend," says Waite. In addition to the families, the entire Walton cast showed up at the outdoor ceremony in Malibu.

Michael Learned (who announced her retirement as Mama Walton last season only to change her mind) noted maternally that the union was "made in heaven - they're so right for each other." Mary Elizabeth McDonough, who plays Erin Walton, saw the ring on Jon's finger and burst into tears. "After all," she said, "he's my older brother."

At the reception at Learned's house other lumanaries dropped in, including John Ritter, who played a minister on The Waltons some years before Three's Company and joked that he should have officiated at this gig. Doobie brother Pat Simmons, with whom Lisa and Jon hope  to collaborate on a record, joined several other guests in performance. The young couple did a number which Jon introduced: "We'd like to do a song Lisa and I wrote together. It's called Cuddle Up, which is something we can do a lot more of now that we're married. It'll be legal and everything."

In between Jon's work on The Waltons, he and Lisa have assembled a group to play clubs and spots like Disney World. "It's not to make a fast buck because of The Waltons," says Jon, who plays 15 instruments, "Music is my first love and always has been. If The Waltons were to end, I'd work on music full-time."

Jon and Lisa's scenario may harmonize elsewhere, too. Next season one possible twist calls for Jason Walton to join the Army and meet a girl he gets "very involved with," says producer Rod Peterson. The choice of Jon Walmsley's on-camera love is positively Waltonesque: It will mark the acting debut of his wife, Lisa.

There is a picture of Michael Learned with Will Parker. The caption reads: Michael Learned graciously hosted the reception at her Hollywood home leaning on her live-in man, writer Will Parker.

Another picture of long haired Doobie brother, Patrick Simmons with Lisa Harrison. The caption reads: Best - tressed guest was Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers, who once gave a benefit in memory of Grandpa Will Geer.

Last picture is of John Ritter and Ellen Corby clowning around together. The caption reads: Continuing her remarkable recovery from a stroke, Ellen (Grandma Walton) Corby gagged it up with John Ritter at the party.

This article was published in PEOPLE magazine on July 16th, 1979.

*Sidenotes of my own: Jon & Lisa were married from June 30th, 1979 to June 25th, 2008 - nearly 29 years. They have one daughter, Miriam.
Jon Walmsley met his current wife, Marion, while in Germany with Eric Scott (Ben Walton). Jon & Marion married on August 18th, 2008.

Nothing against Marion, but it's such a shame that the marriage did not work out between Jon and Lisa. How special their wedding day must have been to get married in front of the whole cast, with Ralph Waite officiating and the reception at Michael Learned's home.

I always thought that Jon Walmsley & Lisa Harrison met on the set of The Waltons when she played Antoinette 'Toni' Hazleton. I didn't know that they were already married in real life at the time.

[Jan]

Thank you so much for sharing, foreverwaltons.  I so enjoyed reading this!  You find the greatest articles.   I also always assumed Jon and Lisa met on the set.  I thought they were a great match and was saddened by their parting, like you.

[weezer29]

I also thought that Jon and Lisa met on The Waltons. Wonder if she ever remarried?

[carol]

I wonder how would they handle this if they ever did make another movie? It would imagine it would awkward for both Lisa and Jon for Lisa to come back and play Toni. Would they recast or just have Toni not seen or even have her and Jason divorced?

[nedandres]

All I know is that Lisa hasn't participated in any Walton reunions since the breakup. Prior to that she was a regular at the reunions. I really enjoyed having her at the reunions; she is so down to earth. At the CA reunion in 2004 she was so kind to my wife who had been in the USA less than one month and did not know much English. I will never forget her kindness.

At Christmas we always listen to her CD, "Mistletoe Kisses," produced by Jon. It is one of our favorite CDs. Our favorite song is "Merry Christmas, Mary," about the first Christmas. She also provides a lot of vocals on the Waltons Christmas album "Together Again" (I think it's called). One of the songs was nominated for the Dove award for best bluegrass song, "That's What Christmas Means to Me," sung by Jon, Lisa, Judy, Mary and Kami.

[nedandres]

Isn't Jon and Lisa's daughter's name Brighton? I thought so. She played their daughter on at least one of the reunion specials from the 1990s.

[ForeverWaltons]

May 19, 2013 20:54:55 GMT -5 nedandres said:

Isn't Jon and Lisa's daughter's name Brighton? I thought so. She played their daughter on at least one of the reunion specials from the 1990s.

nedandres - I got my info about their daughter's name from the following:

www.imdb.com/name/nm0365713/bio

It lists her name as Miriam Walmsley Wadick

But on forum member dagmargermany's site, it is listed as Brighton:

www.rockfish-river.com/en/jason-walton.html


Maybe her name is Brighton Miriam or Miriam Brighton?

Anyone know for sure?

[sdw]

I like Lisa singing on The Waltons Christmas CD,Jon sang good together on The Waltons,its ashame they are
divorced.

[sdw]

Forever Waltons thank you for the article.I enjoyed reading it.

[River]

Interesting article.

[wmfan/waltonsportwriter]

Interesting I didnt know Jon Walmsley/Jason married his on screen love interest Lisa Harrison/ Toni and sorry to hear they got divorced but they were together a long time and it happens. Anyway its kind of like Michael J Fox and Tracy Pollan on Family Ties who are still happily married after they played Alex and Ellen on the show. Any other notable characters that dated or married in addition to their onscreen love? WmFan

[Brenda]

That is a great article. Thanks for sharing.

Their daughter's name is Brighton. She has attended some of the reunions with Jon and Lisa. Here is a photo I took at the 2000 reunion.