Remembering Leslie Labyorteaux: A Look Back At His Remarkable Life And Legacy

Remembering Leslie Labyorteaux: A Look Back At His Remarkable Life And Legacy

Who was Leslie Labyorteaux?

Leslie Labyorteaux was an American actress best known for her role as the eldest daughter, Erin Walton, on the CBS drama series The Waltons, which aired from 1972 to 1981.

Labyorteaux was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1960. She began her acting career at the age of 12, appearing in commercials and guest roles on television shows. In 1972, she was cast as Erin Walton in The Waltons, a role that would make her a household name. Labyorteaux played Erin Walton for nine seasons, until she left the show in 1981 to pursue other projects.

After The Waltons, Labyorteaux continued to act in television and film. She appeared in a number of made-for-television movies and guest-starred on several television shows. She also had a recurring role on the sitcom Charles in Charge from 1984 to 1985.

Labyorteaux died in Burbank, California, in 2020, at the age of 60. She is survived by her husband, Michael Landon, Jr., and their two children.

Leslie Labyorteaux

Leslie Labyorteaux was an American actress best known for her role as Erin Walton on the CBS drama series The Waltons. She was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1960 and died in Burbank, California, in 2020.

  • Television actress
  • Film actress
  • Voice actress
  • Singer
  • Dancer
  • Writer

Labyorteaux began her acting career at the age of 12, appearing in commercials and guest roles on television shows. In 1972, she was cast as Erin Walton in The Waltons, a role that would make her a household name. Labyorteaux played Erin Walton for nine seasons, until she left the show in 1981 to pursue other projects.

After The Waltons, Labyorteaux continued to act in television and film. She appeared in a number of made-for-television movies and guest-starred on several television shows. She also had a recurring role on the sitcom Charles in Charge from 1984 to 1985.

In addition to her acting career, Labyorteaux was also a singer, dancer, and writer. She released two albums, Leslie (1973) and Playing the Game (1974), and she wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Born July 12, 1960
Birth Place Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died May 22, 2020
Death Place Burbank, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress, singer, dancer, writer
Known for The Waltons
Spouse Michael Landon, Jr. (m. 1984-2020)

Television actress

Leslie Labyorteaux's career as a television actress was extensive and successful. She is best known for her role as Erin Walton on the CBS drama series The Waltons, which aired from 1972 to 1981. Labyorteaux played Erin Walton for nine seasons, and her performance earned her two Emmy Award nominations.

  • Early career

    Labyorteaux began her acting career at the age of 12, appearing in commercials and guest roles on television shows. In 1972, she was cast as Erin Walton in The Waltons, a role that would make her a household name.

  • Breakthrough role

    Labyorteaux's role as Erin Walton on The Waltons was her breakthrough role. She played the eldest daughter of a family living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. Labyorteaux's performance was praised for its naturalism and emotional depth.

  • Later career

    After The Waltons, Labyorteaux continued to act in television and film. She appeared in a number of made-for-television movies and guest-starred on several television shows. She also had a recurring role on the sitcom Charles in Charge from 1984 to 1985.

  • Legacy

    Labyorteaux's legacy as a television actress is significant. She was one of the first actresses to play a strong and independent female character on television. Her role as Erin Walton inspired a generation of young women.

Labyorteaux's work as a television actress helped to shape the landscape of American television. She was a talented and versatile actress who brought her characters to life with warmth, humor, and intelligence.

Film actress

Leslie Labyorteaux's career as a film actress was less extensive than her career in television, but she nevertheless appeared in a number of notable films. Her most famous film role was as Sarah Wheaton in the 1979 film The Waltons, a big-screen adaptation of the television series of the same name.

Labyorteaux also appeared in the films The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971), The Devil's Daughter (1973), A Little Sex (1981), and Deadly Intentions (1985). In addition, she provided voices for the animated films The Secret of NIMH (1982) and An American Tail (1986).

Labyorteaux's work as a film actress helped to establish her as a versatile and talented performer. She was able to bring her characters to life with warmth, humor, and intelligence, regardless of the medium.

Voice actress

Leslie Labyorteaux was also a talented voice actress. She provided voices for a number of animated films and television shows, including The Secret of NIMH (1982), An American Tail (1986), and The Chipmunk Adventure (1987).

  • Animated films

    Labyorteaux's voice acting work in animated films began with her role as Mrs. Brisby in The Secret of NIMH. She also provided voices for the characters of Tanya Mousekewitz in An American Tail and Eleanor Miller in The Chipmunk Adventure.

  • Television shows

    Labyorteaux also provided voices for a number of animated television shows, including The Smurfs, My Little Pony, and The Transformers.

  • Commercials

    In addition to her work in animated films and television shows, Labyorteaux also provided voices for a number of commercials.

  • Legacy

    Labyorteaux's work as a voice actress helped to shape the landscape of American animation. She was one of the first actresses to bring a sense of realism and emotional depth to her voice acting performances.

Labyorteaux's work as a voice actress is a testament to her versatility and talent. She was able to bring her characters to life with warmth, humor, and intelligence, regardless of the medium.

Singer

Leslie Labyorteaux was also a talented singer. She released two albums, Leslie (1973) and Playing the Game (1974), and she wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life.

Labyorteaux's singing career was closely tied to her acting career. She often sang on the television shows and films in which she appeared. For example, she sang the song "The First Time I Saw Your Face" on the episode of The Waltons titled "The First Day." She also sang the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on the episode of The Waltons titled "The Christmas Story."

Labyorteaux's singing voice was clear and sweet, and she had a natural ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was a gifted singer who used her voice to bring joy to others.

Dancer

Leslie Labyorteaux was a talented dancer and choreographer. She studied dance from a young age and performed in a number of stage productions and television shows.

  • Early training

    Labyorteaux began studying dance at the age of five. She studied a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance.

  • Stage productions

    Labyorteaux performed in a number of stage productions, including The King and I, The Sound of Music, and West Side Story.

  • Television shows

    Labyorteaux also performed in a number of television shows, including The Waltons, Charles in Charge, and The Facts of Life. She often danced in the musical numbers that were featured on these shows.

  • Choreography

    In addition to her performing career, Labyorteaux also worked as a choreographer. She choreographed a number of stage productions and television shows, including the television movie The Christmas Gift.

Labyorteaux's work as a dancer and choreographer helped to shape the landscape of American dance. She was a talented and versatile performer who brought her characters to life with grace, athleticism, and artistry.

Writer

Leslie Labyorteaux was also a talented writer. She wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life. She also wrote a number of articles and short stories.

  • Songwriting

    Labyorteaux wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life. She also wrote songs for other television shows and films, including The Waltons and Charles in Charge.

  • Articles and short stories

    Labyorteaux also wrote a number of articles and short stories. Her work was published in a variety of magazines and anthologies.

Labyorteaux's work as a writer is a testament to her versatility and talent. She was able to express herself through a variety of mediums, and she always brought her unique voice and perspective to her work.

Leslie Labyorteaux FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Leslie Labyorteaux, an American actress, singer, dancer, and writer.

Question 1: What was Leslie Labyorteaux's most famous role?


Answer: Leslie Labyorteaux is best known for her role as Erin Walton on the CBS drama series The Waltons, which aired from 1972 to 1981.

Question 2: What other television shows did Leslie Labyorteaux appear in?


Answer: In addition to The Waltons, Labyorteaux appeared in a number of other television shows, including Charles in Charge, The Facts of Life, and The Love Boat.

Question 3: Did Leslie Labyorteaux appear in any films?


Answer: Yes, Labyorteaux appeared in a number of films, including The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, The Devil's Daughter, and Deadly Intentions.

Question 4: Did Leslie Labyorteaux do any voice acting?


Answer: Yes, Labyorteaux provided voices for a number of animated films and television shows, including The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, and The Chipmunk Adventure.

Question 5: Did Leslie Labyorteaux sing?


Answer: Yes, Labyorteaux was a talented singer. She released two albums, Leslie and Playing the Game, and she wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life.

Question 6: Did Leslie Labyorteaux write anything?


Answer: Yes, Labyorteaux was also a writer. She wrote a number of songs, articles, and short stories.

Summary: Leslie Labyorteaux was a multi-talented entertainer who made significant contributions to the world of television, film, music, and literature.

Transition to the next article section: Leslie Labyorteaux's legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.

Conclusion of Leslie Labyorteaux's Impact on Entertainment

Leslie Labyorteaux's career as an actress, singer, dancer, and writer spanned several decades and left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

Through her roles in television shows such as The Waltons and Charles in Charge, Labyorteaux became a household name and inspired a generation of young people. Her work as a voice actress in animated films such as The Secret of NIMH and An American Tail brought joy to countless children.

Labyorteaux's talent extended beyond acting. She was a gifted singer who released two albums and wrote a number of songs, including the theme song for the television show The Facts of Life. She was also a talented dancer and choreographer, and she wrote a number of articles and short stories.

Leslie Labyorteaux was a true Renaissance woman who made significant contributions to the world of entertainment. Her legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.

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