'Dynasty' Cast Then & Now — The Glamorous Legacy of TV's Richest Family in 30+ Photos

They feuded, schemed, and sparkled their way through one of the most glamorous series of the 1980s — but where are the stars of "Dynasty" now?

When "Dynasty" premiered in 1981, it didn't just redefine primetime drama — it set a new standard for television luxury. Now, more than four decades later, the legacy of the show lives on — not only in reruns and reboots but in the real-life stories of the actors who brought the drama to life.

John Forsythe

Forsythe, who gave life to the powerful oil baron Blake Carrington, was the unshakable center of "Dynasty." He sadly died on April 1, 2010, at 92 years old, following a courageous, years-long battle with cancer.

A statement from his family read, "[…] Thankfully, he died as he lived his life...with dignity and grace, after a years-long struggle with cancer."

Wayne Northrop

Northrop, who played loyal chauffeur Michael Culhane, died on November 29, 2024, at the age of 77. He passed peacefully at the Motion Picture and Television Woodland Hills Home in Los Angeles, six years after a devastating early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis.

His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, shared, "He took his last breath in the arms of his family."

Katy Kurtzman

Kurtzman, who portrayed a young Lindsay Blaisdel, stepped back from the limelight not long after her time on "Dynasty." But what began as a short break to enjoy a normal high school life turned into a full career shift.

Although she briefly returned to acting at 21, regaining momentum proved difficult. She eventually left Los Angeles, embracing a quieter life — teaching acting, working in production, and enjoying life far from the Hollywood spotlight.

Dale Robertson

Robertson, the ruggedly charming Walter Lankershim from "Dynasty," died on February 27, 2013, in San Diego at age 89.

As the oil wildcatter and husband of Claudia Blaisdel, Robertson's character was a thorn in Blake Carrington's side — before bowing out in the first season. His brief time on the show added fuel to the fire in both boardrooms and bedrooms.

Bo Hopkins

Hopkins, unforgettable as Matthew Blaisdel, died on May 28, 2022, at 84 years old. The geologist and former flame of Krystle Carrington stirred up early romantic chaos in the show's debut episodes. He passed peacefully in his sleep after suffering a heart attack — his beloved wife by his side.

Lee Bergere

Bergere, who portrayed the no-nonsense butler Joseph Anders, died of natural causes on January 31, 2000, in Brentwood, New Hampshire. He was 88.

Fiercely loyal and always stern, Anders was more than a servant — he was the keeper of Carrington secrets in the show's early seasons.

Diahann Carroll

The dazzling Diahann Carroll, who played the unforgettable Dominique Deveraux, passed away in October 2019 at the age of 84.

As a sharp-tongued diva with undeniable elegance, Carroll made television history — one of the first prominent Black characters in a primetime soap. She stole every scene she touched, and fans adored her for it.

Joan Collins

Joan Collins, who forever redefined villainy as Alexis Carrington Colby on "Dynasty", is still unstoppable. As of January 2025, she is set to portray Wallis Simpson in "The Bitter End."

Directed by Mike Newell, the film delves into Simpson's final chapter in Paris before her death in 1986. Collins, now in her 90s, remains as bold as ever — and fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Heather Locklear

Locklear, known for her sassy portrayal of Sammy Jo Carrington, faced dark times post-"Dynasty." In 2018, she was ordered to attend a residential mental health facility.

A year later, she pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanors, including multiple counts of battery on emergency personnel. A 120-day jail sentence was stayed, but only if she completed 30 days of treatment.

Linda Evans

Evans, the glowing heart of the show as Krystle Carrington, left "Dynasty" in 1988, just a year shy of the series finale. At the time, fame had worn her down. "I had no days off," she said.

"Not to knock it, because it was a gift from God, but I knew I wanted more out of my life," she added. But walking away wasn't easy. "I just went into such a sadness that I hadn't counted on," the actress shared.

In recent years, she has continued to act and empower women through speaking engagements and has found peace living happily single. However, her recent appearance has sparked some mixed reactions from fans.

"Not her," one person commented on a post of the actress. Another shared in part, "She's not Linda Evans." But not all comments were negative, as another person added, "Hope you are well, dear Linda. Still as beautiful as ever❤️."

Pamela Sue Martin

Martin, the original Fallon Carrington, dazzled on screen but hid a personal torment few ever knew about. During the early 1980s, she experienced severe hair loss, a battle she kept largely private.

"My hair was always thin, but at some points in my life, such as when I was working on Dynasty, it got more severe," she shared.

Producers made her wear a wig — until she refused, after seeing herself on a magazine cover. Though her hair recovered, the stress would cause it to fall again. It was a deeply emotional and physical toll.

Pamela Bellwood

Bellwood, who played the fragile yet fiery Claudia Blaisdel on "Dynasty," delivered one of the show's most complex characters.

Haunted by her past and torn by love, Claudia gave early "Dynasty" its edge. After leaving the series, she took on other roles, but her final on-screen appearance came in 2013.

Al Corley

Corley, who portrayed the sensitive and openly gay Steven Carrington, made history — and then walked away. He left the show early, later revealing he struggled with staying committed to the role.

"I had to judge my happiness as a person first and my ability to make this character believable," he said. By 2005, he was a principal at Code Entertainment, and directed "Bigger Than the Sky." He lived with his wife and children in Southern California.

John James

James, who portrayed steadfast Jeff Colby, starred in both "Dynasty" and its spinoff "The Colbys." But what happened after the show ended? "Nobody wanted to touch me," he said in 1991.

The actor later settled on a farm in upstate New York with wife Denise Coward and their two children. He resurfaced with roles on "As the World Turns" and "All My Children" — and in 2022, he reunited with former castmates for a cabaret show called "Cocktails with the Carringtons."

The following year, James became more than just a TV legend, as he took to Instagram to reveal that he had become a proud grandfather.

Decades after "Dynasty" first brought its glittering mix of power, passion, and betrayal to television screens, the show's legacy continues to captivate.

While some stars remain active in the industry and others have since passed, each played a role in shaping the opulent world of the Carringtons — a world that still fascinates fans more than forty years later.