Ellen Corby

Ellen Corby (June 3, 1911 – April 14, 1999) was an American actress and screenwriter. She is best known for her role as Esther 'Grandma' Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, for which she won three Emmy Awards. Corby also had a notable performance as Aunt Trina in the film I Remember Mama (1948), for which she won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. Born in Racine, Wisconsin to Danish immigrant parents, Corby began her career in amateur theater and later worked as a script girl at RKO Studios and Hal Roach Studios. She appeared in over 30 films and held the position of script girl for 12 years before pursuing acting full-time.