Judy Norton Taylor

Judy Norton (born January 29, 1958) is an American actress and theater director who is best known for her role as Mary Ellen Walton on The Waltons television series and subsequent Waltons TV movies.

Personal life She was born in Santa Monica, California, to parents Harry and Constance (née Glazebrook) Norton. She began practicing Scientology at age 13, and became a minister in the Church. She married Douglas Taylor in 1976 at the age of 18; the marriage ended in divorce in 1978. She then married former football player Lynn Hughes whom she later divorced.

Norton posed nude for a 1985 issue of Playboy in a bid to shed her "goody-goody Waltons image". She has one son, Devin.

Norton is married to Robert Graves. Norton has been writing, directing and starring in movies and theater. She also is a singer. An avid athlete, Norton has participated in competitive horse jumping and skydiving, in addition to skiing and tennis. Norton frequently showcased her athletic skills on Battle of the Network Stars in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her CD Reflections was released in August 2016.

On July 14, 2020, Norton launched a series on her YouTube channel entitled "Behind the Scenes with Judy Norton", where she shares information about The Waltons ' filming, cast, episodes, storylines, and cast reunions. She regularly takes the opportunity to answer viewer questions, with more than 100 "Ask Judy" episodes, and she has also hosted several former cast members as well as one of the show's directors, Ralph Senensky. As of July 2025, the playlist contains 540+ videos, with new releases every few days.

Filmography Year Title Role Director Notes Ref. 1967 Hotel Daughter Richard Quine 1979 Valentine Elizabeth Lee Philips 1979 A Twist of Faith Doctor Rachmaran Chris Angel 2001 Off Season Mrs. Murchison Bruce Davison 2013 Hansel and Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft Allyson David DeCoteau 2013 Blood Is Thicker Doris Aster Nicholas Lam 2014 Finding Harmony Kat Stratton Dagen Merrill 2015 Broken: A Musical Karen David Nancy Criss 2015 The Sparrows: Nesting Susan Nancy Criss 2016 Another Day in Paradise Liz Jeffery Patterson Writer Judy Norton 2018 NOWHERE TO HIDE / Inclusion Criteria Tara Malone Josh Hodgins Writer Judy Norton 2000 Christy: Return to Cutter Gap Rebecca Holt Chuck Bowman Aired under the title Christy: The Movie 2020 Out of the Fight Psychologist Steve Moon 2022 Motorvation Kathy Angus Benfield

Television Year Title Role Director Notes Ref. 1968 The Felony Squad Karen Collins George McCowan "The Distant Shore" Season 3 episode 11 1971 The Homecoming: A Christmas Story Mary Ellen Walton Fielder Cook On Christmas Eve 1933 Earl Hamner Jr. 1972–1981 The Waltons Mary Ellen Walton Vincent Sherman; Alf Kjellin; Harry Harris; Robert Butler; Philip Leacock; Lee Philips; Jack Shea; Ralph Senensky; Ralph Waite; Nick Webster; Ralph Senensky; Ivan Dixon; Richard Thomas; Harvey Laidman; Richard C. Bennett; Lawrence Dobkin; Walter Alzmann; Anthony Brand; Gwen Arner; Richard Chaffee; Nell Cox; William H. Bushnell; Larry Stewart; David F. Wheeler; Stan Lathan; Herbert Hirschman; Bernard McEveety; Gabrielle Beaumont; Bob Sweeney; Walt Gilmore; James Sheldon. 1979 Password Plus and Super Password Judy Norton George Choderker American TV game show September 7, 1979 1979 Battle of the Network Stars Judy Norton Andrew Glassman Series of competitions that television stars from ABC, CBS and NBC compete in various sporting events. 1980 Kraft Salutes Disneyland's 25th Anniversary Judy Norton-Taylor Dwight Hemion 1980 Password Plus and Super Password Judy Norton George Choderker 1980 Battle of the Network Stars Judy Norton Andrew Glassman 1981 Battle of the Network Stars Judy Norton Andrew Glassman 1982 The Love Boat Lydia Foster Bruce Bilson "Doc Takes the Fifth / Safety Last / A Business Affair" Season 5 Episode 13 1982 A Wedding on Walton's Mountain Mary Ellen Walton Lee Philips It is 1947 1982 Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain Mary Ellen Walton Gwen Arner Mary Ellen marries Jonesy 1982 A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain Mary Ellen Walton Harry Harris Thanksgiving Day 1947 1982 Password Plus and Super Password Judy Norton George Choderker 1983 Circus of the Stars Judy Norton CBS network Celebrities performed circus-type acts. show 8) 1984 Circus of the Stars Judy Norton CBS network Celebrities performed circus-type acts. show 9) 1984 Password Plus and Super Password Judy Norton George Choderker 1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion Mary Ellen Walton Harry Harris Thanksgiving in November 1963 1995 A Walton Wedding Mary Ellen Walton Robert Ellis Miller John-Boy's Wedding in 1964 1997 The Last Daughter 1997 A Walton Easter Mary Ellen Walton Bill Corcoran John and Olivia's 40th anniversary in 1969 1997 Millennium Carol Scammel Perry Lang "Monster" Season 2 Episode 4 1998 Stargate SG-1 Talia Jonathan Glassner 1998 The Inspectors 1999 You, Me, and the Kids “Facing the World” 1999 So Weird Mrs. Avner Charles Wilkinson Season 1 Episode 5 “Escape” TV series 1999 Cold Squad Mrs. Harris John L'Ecuyer television series Season 3 Episode 1 Deadly Games: Part 1 1999–2000 Beggars and Choosers (TV series) Gloria John L'Ecuyer television series "Hat Trick" Season 1 Episode 4; "Star Whores" Season 1 episode 15; "Moles, Meatloaf & Myrna Loy" Season 2 episode 14. 2000 Ed (TV series) Judge James Frawley Pilot show Season 1 episode 1 2000 Hollywood Off Ramp Richard Martin The Ultimate Question Season 1 episode 12 modern day Twilight Zone anthology series that aired on E! E! Hollywood Offramp 2000 Higher Ground Dr. Gray Alan Simmonds Season 1 Episode 10 “Close Encounters” TV series 2010 A Walton's Family Reunion Mary Ellen Walton Doug Butts It is 1969. John and Olivia 40th anniversary. Surviving cast members reminisce about the series and their lives. 2013 Bluff Sophia Wyndom Judy Norton and Neil Schell TV series 6 episodes: season 1 episodes 1 – 6: “Do the Thing”; “Live Out Land”; “They Never Fail”; “Do One Thing”; Episode #1.5 & #1.6.” 2014 Disorganized Zone The Organizer Judy Norton half-hour dramatic comedy that spoofs Twilight Zone episodes 7 episodes: “A Past Not So Dear”; “Universe Two”; “Too Perfect”; “Promises”; “The Beaten Path”; “Deadly Labels”; “Tomorrow”. 2020 The Quarantine Bunch Judy Norton Jeff MacIntyre Season 1 Episode 1 -6 “Meet the Bunch”; “Good-bye Chewy”; “You want to sell what?” “A Tale of two zooms”, “Stay the F**K Home!”; “Shut up and ACT!!!”. Former child stars support group via Zoom during the Coronavirus quarantine.

Music Year Title Role Director Notes Ref. 1999 A Walton Christmas: Together Again Mary Ellen Walton Jon Walmsley Track Listings: Walton's Theme; Earl Hamner's Narrative; Christmas Times A Comin'; Intro to Mama's Applesauce Cake; Mama's Applesauce Cake; Sleigh Ride; Follow That Star; That's What Christmas Means to Me; Intro to Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; Intro To Snowman Land; Snowman Land; 'Twas The Night Before Christmas; Little Drummer Boy; Home For The Holidays; Santa's Big Parade; Intro to All I Want For Christmas; All I Want For Christmas; Good Night (With Dialogue) 2015 Reflections Judy Norton 2022 Home for Christmas Judy Norton