Who was the main actor in the show?

[Deleted]

Especially in the first season or two. Was it still Richard Thomas when the show started off or was it more Ralph Waite, Miss Michael Learned or even Ellen Corby or Will Geer? I know as the series went on and until he left the show Richard Thomas took over the show as the main actor for a few seasons until he left and then in my opinion it became Ralph Waite as the main actor, but I am not sure who would have been considered the lead actor in the first season or two. 

[Easton]

Well, since John-Boy was the embodiment of Earl Hamner Jr., Richard Thomas was the main actor. John (Ralph Waite) didn't 'graduate' to star until Richard left the show.

[goodnight]

I always thought since Richard Thomas got top billing that he was the main character in the show.

[Livie's Friend]

I agree with all about Richard Thomas having top billing, however; Ralph Waite, in my opinion, carried the show.  For that reason I would say he was the main actor.

He was always the one everyone came to at the end of their wits and he helped them sort out the situation and find resolution.  He was a great listener and never judged anyone.

I do believe he was very much like his character in real life.  In watching him in interviews, he seemed to be very humble and did not have a big head as so many movie stars do.  In fact, it seems that most all of the actors had this humility about them.  

[patriciaanne]

Even though the show was written from John-Boy's perspective, I think it was very much an ensemble cast.

[missyou123]

Yes, Richard Thomas was the main character. It was that way until he left and was replaced with Robert Wightman. Then they pushed the character behind the scenes. Unfair but true. 

[Deleted]

In my opinion each episode had its central character. One week it could be John Boy and the next week it could be Elizabeth or Jason or whomever. Richard Thomas was billed as the main actor of the show with Ralph Waite, Michael Learned, Will Gear, and Ellen Corby as the co-stars in the beginning. Once the majority or all of those cast members were gone the show had solely turned to an ensemble cast . 

[jaydub87]

I’m rewatching in order right now, and I swear, it feels like John is the leading character.

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2023 21:38:16 GMT -5 jaydub87 said:

I’m rewatching in order right now, and I swear, it feels like John is the leading character.

Ralph was such a fantastic actor and it was such a shame that the show was billed as a show for John Boy and Richard Thomas to star. I am not saying that Richard Thomas was not good because he was great as well, but many times Ralph was overlooked in what he provided to the show. 

[jaydub87]

Feb 16, 2023 21:50:48 GMT -5 @jaybez said:

Feb 16, 2023 21:38:16 GMT -5 jaydub87 said:

I’m rewatching in order right now, and I swear, it feels like John is the leading character.

Ralph was such a fantastic actor and it was such a shame that the show was billed as a show for John Boy and Richard Thomas to star. I am not saying that Richard Thomas was not good because he was great as well, but many times Ralph was overlooked in what he provided to the show. 

I've been taking a more analytical approach during my rewatch. I will always contend that John is the main character in Season 1. It felt as though he was at the heart of essentially every primary storyline throughout the season. Now that I'm getting closer to the middle of S2, there seems to be a bit of a transition towards John Boy. 

Obviously, this is all speculation, but I wonder if the creators/writers/producers wanted to make Ralph Waite a bigger focus early on to help make sure the show became established. By the midway point of S2, I assume they knew the ratings were good and there would be a S3. Perhaps that allowed them to transition more towards John Boy being the leading character.

(And yes, I know that Richard Thomas was listed first in the credits. I'm simply talking about how the actual storylines played out)