The Waltons first aired in 1974 and became an instant hit across the United States before taking UK viewers by storm when it landed on the BBC. Set in rural Virginia during the Great Depression, the drama followed the family of John Walton (played by Richard Thomas) and his family of six siblings and parents and paternal grandparents.
It centred around their economic hardships, trials and tribulations with thinly-veiled humour and light-heartedness between the characters. Despite the bleak setting, the heart-warming storylines resonated with fans, and the drama went on to win 13 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. The Waltons ran for nine seasons until its finale in 1981, and after four decades, one cast member was spotted and looked worlds away from the famed appearance.
Actress Kami Cotler is best remembered for her role as the youngest of the seven siblings, and she played Elizabeth Walton.
After starring in the family classic, she returned to the screens for various reunion shows before quitting Hollywood to become a teacher.
Now 59 years old, Cotler has completely transformed from her young self, as she was just six when The Waltons began.
The star was spotted on an outing in Los Angeles with her husband, although she is unrecognisable, her trademark auburn hair remains the same.
In a photo obtained by Hello! Cotler could be seen wrestling with two bags while wearing a black zip-up jacket with a blue and white striped skirt. Her familiar long, bright red hair was also hard to miss as it peeked out from under her white bucket hat.
As Cotler has largely stayed out of the spotlight, her last on-screen appearance was in 2010's A Walton's Family Reunion.
She and other surviving cast members joined creator Earl Hamner Jr. to reminisce over the show nearly 40 years after its conclusion and look back on its legacy.
As well as a career in education, Cotter gained a degree in social studies, ran her own boutique travel company and managed a San Francisco cafe
She is also married to her husband, Kim Howard, and together they share two children, a son and a daughter.
