Linda Evans, once the center of attention for her numerous TV roles and film appearances, became a household name in the 1960s, especially for her portrayal of Audra Barkley on the Western series The Big Valley. But her most iconic role came in the 1980s when she starred as Krystle Carrington on the prime-time soap Dynasty, a role she held from 1981 to 1989.
Born on November 18, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut, Evans was surrounded by the arts early on, with both parents working as dancers. Moving with her family to North Hollywood as an infant, she grew up taking acting classes, a journey that led her to her first entertainment job in 1960. By the late 1990s, she had a wide range of acting credits, spanning both TV and film. While she mostly stepped away from acting during the 2000s and 2010s, she has made a recent return, proving that even in her 80s, she remains as talented, beautiful, and vibrant as ever.
Evans initially took acting classes to overcome shyness, yet her natural talent quickly became evident. Early in her career, she changed her last name from Evenstad to Evans, and soon rose to fame in roles like The Big Valley and Dynasty, the latter of which she called her “dream job.” Her work on Dynasty earned her numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series in 1981 and multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards.
In later interviews, Evans shared that filming Dynasty was intense but, after leaving the show, she found freedom in a simpler lifestyle. Relocating to Washington state after the series ended, she pursued a quieter life but was drawn back to acting in 2019 when she found the script for Swan Song. This marked her first movie role in over two decades.
Today, Evans, who turned 80 in November 2022, continues to embrace life with a spirit of gratitude and excitement for the future. She posted a heartfelt message on Instagram to celebrate her birthday, expressing deep appreciation for her journey. Reflecting on aging in an interview with BUNTE magazine, she described it as an adventure and celebrated each challenge and joy that has shaped her life.