Ellen Corby Net Worth 2025: Income From The Waltons & Films
Learn about Ellen Corby Net Worth, her major income sources, and how her long Hollywood career made her one of TV’s most respected actresses.
Author:George EvansOct 30, 2025365 Shares4.8K Views
Ellen Corby had a long and respected acting career, but she became a real household name when she played Grandma Esther Walton on the TV series The Waltons. She suffered a serious stroke in 1976 that affected her speech and mobility. Off-screen, Corby developed a close bond with fellow cast member Jon Walmsley, whom she considered like an adopted grandson. In the show, she reduced her appearances and dialogue during season eight because of her health, and she did not appear in season nine.
Early Life
Ellen Corby was born Ellen Hansen on June 3, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin. Her parents were immigrants from Denmark. She grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During high school she became interested in amateur theatre, and in 1932 she moved to Atlantic City and worked briefly as a chorus girl. In the same year she moved to Hollywood, where she found work as a script girl at studios including RKO and Hal Roach.
Career
Ellen Corby began her film work in the 1930s and 1940s with many small, often uncredited roles. Her first credited acting role was in Cornered(1945) where she played a maid. In 1948 she earned an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in I Remember Mama. Over the next decades she appeared steadily in both films and television, often as maids, secretaries, waitresses or neighbors, especially in westerns and dramas.
Her most famous role came in 1971 when she was cast as Grandma Esther Walton in the TV film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which led to the TV series The Waltons(1972-1981). For her work on that series she won three Emmy Awards and also a Golden Globe for television. In November 1976 she suffered a massive stroke that limited her speech and movement; this caused her to leave the show early, though she returned later and continued to appear in specials until the late 1990s.
Throughout her career, Corby showed strong dedication by working in more than 200 productions from the 1930s into the 1990s.
Ellen Corby Net Worth
As of 2025, Ellen Corby’s net worth was estimated to be around US $1 million. She earned this amount through her long acting career, appearing in more than 200 films and television shows. Most of her income came from her famous role as Grandma Esther Walton on The Waltons, along with steady earnings from her work in classic movies like I Remember Mamaand guest appearances on many TV series from the 1950s to the 1990s.
George Evans
Author
George Anderson, an exceptional architectural designer, envisions and brings to life structures that transcend the realm of imagination. With an unwavering passion for design and an innate eye for detail, George seamlessly blends form and function, creating immersive spaces that inspire awe.
Driven by a deep appreciation for the interplay of space, light, and materials, George's innovative approach redefines the possibilities of architectural design. His visionary compositions leave an indelible mark, evoking a sense of wonder and transforming the built environment.
George Anderson's transformative designs and unwavering dedication continue to shape the architectural landscape, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring generations to come.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles