Michael Learned

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

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In the late 1960s, Learned and her husband Peter Donat appeared in various roles with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has appeared in many stage productions on Broadway, off Broadway, and elsewhere, including the 2006–2007 national touring production of On Golden Pond. In the fall of 2008, she starred in Innovation Theatre Works' production of Driving Miss Daisy, playing the title role of Daisy Werthen opposite Willis Burks II as Hoke and Dirk Blocker as Daisy's son Boolie. She reprised the role opposite Lance E. Nichols as Hoke at Judson Theatre Company in March 2013.

She is most known for her role as Olivia Walton in the long-running CBS drama series The Waltons (1972–1981). In 2022, Learned made her return to television with starring role in the Netflix limited series, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story playing Catherine Dahmer, Jeffrey Dahmer's grandmother.

Michael Learned Photos

Michael Learned STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2000
Alice Russell

[Broadway]
1993
Sara Goode [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1985
Gabrielle

Ilona

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1971
Irene Jantzen

[Broadway]
1969
Masha


Michael Learned Movies

[1980]Touched by Love Dr. Bell

[1986]Power Governor Andrea Stannard

[1993]Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story Vivian Emery

[1997]The Alarmist Beth Hudler

[2005]Lethal Eviction Elsa

[2005]Loggerheads Sheridan

[2013]After Life Gloria


Michael Learned TV Shows

Insight Sister Janet

Nurse Mary Benjamin

Scrubs Mrs. Wilk

The Waltons Olivia Walton

Michael Learned Awards and Nominations

Michael Learned Videos

Michael Learned News


Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS is Coming to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre This Month

Experience Arthur Miller's powerful drama 'All My Sons' at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre. Explore themes of morality, guilt, and responsibility during World War II.

Morgan Fairchild Headlines Judson Theatre Company's BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE in March

Judson Theatre Company continues its eleventh season with a new production of Leonard Gershe's classic Broadway comedy, 'Butterflies are Free”, starring Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominee Morgan Fairchild.

Photos: See Raven Symone, Michael Feinstein, Lorna Luft, JoJo Siwa & More at the 10th Annual Real To Reel Honors

See photos from the 2023 salute to the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to the entertainment industry and launch of the 10th annual 'Real to Reel: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQ+s in Hollywood' exhibit.  

Photos: Go Inside The Hollywood Museum's Mother's Day Tribute to MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS

The Hollywood Museum played host to a spectacular photo exhibit, for Mother's Day to pay homage to the matriarchs of the MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS organization and the most celebrated working moms in entertainment with loving and amusing images with their families. Check out photos from the event here!

Photos: The Hollywood Museum Presents An Acting Animals Tribute Exhibit

On the evening of April 6th, in advance of “NATIONAL PET DAY,” (April 11th), Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a tribute exhibit to Acting Animals. See photos from the event.

THE STAR-SPANGLED GIRL Comes to Judson Theatre Company Next Month

Neil Simon's The Star-Spangled Girl is a hilarious romantic comedy that has been making audiences laugh for decades. Originally premiering on Broadway in 1966, the play has remained a popular choice for theatres around the world.

Alhambra Theatre & Dining to Present ARSENIC AND OLD LACE Beginning This Month

The hysterical dark comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace will open at Jacksonville's Alhambra Theatre & Dining on March 23, 2023. Best known through the 1944 film starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra, Arsenic and Old Lace was written in 1939. The play opened on Broadway at the Fulton Theatre on January 10, 1941.

Photos: Leonard Maltin Emcees THE WALTONS Cast 50th Anniversary Reunion at The Hollywood Museum

Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Bldg) brought the cast of TV’s most celebrated family, THE WALTONS, together at the Hollywood Museum for an afternoon of fun and photos with fans. Following a cast Q&A with emcee, Hollywood film and TV critic, Leonard Maltin, fans experienced The Waltons Exhibit, with full support and participation by Warner Brothers Archivists.

THE WALTONS Cast Reunite Publicly For 50th Anniversary At The Hollywood Museum

Just as families are preparing to gather in celebration of Thanksgiving … for many, the first time since the pandemic began … Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Bldg) has announced that TV's most celebrated family, THE WALTONS, is gathering at the Hollywood Museum for an afternoon of fun and photos with fans.

VIDEO: Netflix Shares New DAHMER - MONSTER Series Trailer

Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer gruesomely took the lives of seventeen innocent victims. The series stars Evan Peters (Jeffrey Dahmer), Richard Jenkins (Lionel Dahmer), Molly Ringwald (Shari Dahmer), Michael Learned (Catherine Dahmer), and Niecy Nash (Glenda Cleveland). Watch the new video trailer for the series now!

Cameron Cowperthwaite Cast In MONSTER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER STORY on Netflix

Actor Cameron Cowperthwaite is playing the role of Steven Hicks in the show 'Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,' which premieres on September 21 on Netflix.

LISTEN: Carmen Cusack, Jerry Mitchell & Kathryn Allison Share Audition Stories On WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT Podcast

The annual Audition Stories episode is back as Why I'll Never Make It host Patrick Oliver Jones (First Wives Club) has former guests share their own experiences in the audition room and on self-tapes...the good, the bad, and the hysterical. Listen here!

World Premiere of LONESOME TRAVELER: GENERATIONS to be Presented by Rubicon Theatre Company

Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura’s non-profit professional theatre company, will continue the company’s 2022-2023 Season with the World Premiere of LONESOME TRAVELER: GENERATIONS, conceived by George Grove and James O’Neil, with musical direction by Rick Dougherty and George Grove and direction by Rubicon Co-Founder James O’Neil.

The Hollywood Museum to Present an Industry Moms Mother's Day Exhibit

“For most, our mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.  Our mother’s love is unconditional and only grows stronger over a lifetime,” says Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum).

The Green Room 42 Presents A Night With Kevin Spirtas

​​​​​​​Emmy Award Winner and Broadway actor Kevin Spirtas sits down with host Patrick Oliver Jones (Why I'll Never Make It Podcast) for a first-ever live interview at Broadway's The Green Room 42 on January 28th at 9:30 pm. It will be an evening of conversation and song delving into the struggles he has faced as both an actor and producer.

Listen To Theatrical Star Debra Ann Byrd On WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT Podcast

Patrick Oliver Jones recently sat down with American and British theatrical actress Debra Ann Byrd for in-depth interview on Feedspot's Top 25 Theatrical podcast Why I'll Never Make It. The interview will air on Monday, December 13th on all streaming services ‎Why I'll Never Make It

Listen to Broadway & TV Star Michael Learned on the WHY I'LL NEVER MAKE IT Podcast

Patrick Oliver Jones recently sat down with actress Michael Learned for in-depth interview on Feedspot's Top 25 Theatrical podcast Why I'll Never Make It. The interview will air on Monday, November 29th on all streaming services http://whyillnevermakeit.com

MURDER, MYSTERY, AND MAYHEM Comes to Petite Violette

The Gropp brothers, Michael and Anthony, have run Petite Violette long enough to see many dining trends come and go and to weather the ups and downs of the restaurant industry—including the current COVID-19 crisis—but they are still going strong after 47 years in business.

Scoop: Coming Up on a New Episode of HOLMES FAMILY EFFECT on FOX - Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Find out what's happening on Coming Up on a New Episode of HOLMES FAMILY EFFECT and if it's a new episode, airing on FOX on Tuesday, March 23, 2021!

VIDEO: Watch a THE WALTONS Reunion on Stars in the House- Live at 8pm!

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm) for a reunion of The Waltons! The hosts will welcome Mary Beth McDonough (Erin Walton), Eric Scott (Ben Walton), Kami Cotler (Elizabeth Walton), Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton), Michael Learned (Olivia Walton), and Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton) to reminisce about their time on the iconic 70s drama series, which took viewers on a journey through the family's lives for nine seasons.

Michael Learned FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Michael Learned has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

Michael Learned has not appeared in the West End.

Michael Learned has been nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in The Best Man.

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