Jim bob walton biography

American businessman (born 1948)

For other people named Jim Walton, see Jim Walton (disambiguation).

James Carr Walton (born June 7, 1948) is an American businessman, currently an heir to the fortune of Walmart, the world's largest retailer. As of February 2025, Walton was the 12th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of US$118.9 billion according to Forbes. He is the youngest son of Sam Walton.

Early life and family

Jim Walton was born in Newport, Jackson County, Arkansas, the third child of Walmart co-founder Sam Walton (1918–1992) and Helen Walton (1919–2007), with siblings Rob Walton, Alice Walton, and John Walton (1946 – 2005). Walton graduated from Bentonville High School in 1965, where he was president of his junior class, played football at all-state level and also learned to fly a plane. Walton received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1971, where he was also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1972, he joined Walmart and was involved in its real-estate dealings. After four years, he moved to the family owned Walton Enterprises as president in 1975.

Career

On September 28, 2005, Walton replaced his deceased brother, John, on the Wal-Mart Board of Directors. He was CEO of his family owned Arvest Bank, until becoming Chairman of Arvest Bank, and chairman of newspaper firm Community Publishers Inc. (CPI) owned by Jim Walton himself (but founded by his father Sam Walton after acquiring the local newspaper the Benton County Daily Record, both operating in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma). He has pledged about $2 billion to the Walton Family Foundation along with his siblin

      David W. Harper then                                         and today (2011)                                        

David W. Harper was born on October 4, 1961 in Abilene, Texas. His father was the actor Paul Harper. His mother was a vocal artist.

His first role on TV David Harper got in the movie  „The Homecoming - A Christmas Story“, the precursor of „ The Waltons „. One year later he assumed the role of the dreamy and sometimes introverted Jim-Bob Walton in the famous TV show „The Waltons“. David Harper was also seen in all subsequent films of the Waltons.

David Harper acted in two or three other films but other appearances are not known. Meanwhile he ended his career as an actor. 

It is known that David Harper worked for Eric Scott (Ben Walton) as a driver in the past.

Further information about his private life are unknown. 

David Harper sporadically attend the annual Reunions of the Waltons and he is in telephone contact with the President of the Waltons International Fan Club.

After we met David Harper personally in Lynchburg in October 2011 he was so kind to give us an interview which you can find here ( interview).

Thank you David for your autograph.

David dressed with an original shirt of his father, actor Paul Harper, who has worn this shirt in one of his movies.

David Harper is a very private person and about his private life nothing is known. I was more than pleased when he promised me an interview for our website. Before the Walton reunion in Lynchburg we mailed him our questions and at the reunion David then suggested even a video interview which had not taken place because of lack of time. At the end of this weekend David and I felt both so tired that we had no more energy for an interview late in the night. So we agreed that he would send us the answers. And here they are:

Dagmar
After the filming of "A Walton Easter" in 1997 have you ever been in front of a  camera for another movie or TV show ?

David
No

Dagmar
Could you identify yourself with the role as Jim-Bob?

David
Yes, I portrayed Jim-Bob as myself.

Dagmar
Did you ever wish to be a part of the Walton family (if this family would be real) when you have been a child (portraying Jim-Bob) ?

David
No not really, although the Waltons was a second family to me.

Dagmar
Jim-Bob was very enthusiastic about technology. What is your hobby or passion?

David
My hobbys include Music, History ( American Cicil War ) and Sumerian History, Wargaming, Jigsaw puzzles, watching movies, reading, writing. My passion is my Relationsship with my Heavenly Father.

Dagmar
Do you have all the DVD´s of THE WALTONS at home ?

David
No.

Dagmar
Would you like to work again as an actor ?

David
Maybe.

Dagmar
Does it make fun for you to appear in several events with the other cast members (eg Mary's book signing or INSP?) Do you have regular contact with the other cast members and if so with whom ?

David
Not really as I am a private person. I do enjoy meeting fans of the Waltons. I have semi-regular contact with my Walton brothers and sisters.

Dagmar
How was it for you to appear

American actor

David W. Harper (October 4, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Jim Bob Walton on the television show The Waltons.

Biography

Harper began his acting career appearing as Jim Bob, the second-youngest of seven siblings, in the made-for-television film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971). When the film was turned into The Waltons television series in 1972, Harper reprised his role and remained with the series throughout its nine-season run.

When The Waltons ended in 1981, Harper appeared in the television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and the theatrical film Fletch. And along with most of the other series regulars, Harper appeared in various Waltons reunion specials produced in the 1980s and 1990s.

Harper is not currently active in show business, choosing to live a quiet, private life; however, he does occasionally appear at such Waltons-related functions as cast reunions, collectible and memorabilia fairs. After working at a variety of jobs, he went to school to study business.

Filmography

References

External links