who played john walton on the waltons
The Waltons' Ralph Waite Dead at 86; Actor Played Family Patriarch John Walton Sr. on the Classic TV Drama. Good night, Papa Walton. Ralph Waite, who played family patriarch John Walton Sr. on the classic drama The Waltons, died today at the age of 86, according to reports. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the veteran actor passed away at his home in South Palm Desert, Calif.