Dynasty Stars: Where Are They Now?

They feuded, schemed, and sparkled their way through one of the most glamorous television 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 established a new standard for television luxury, wealth, romance, and scandal. More than four decades later, the show’s legacy continues through reruns, reboots, and the fascinating real-life stories of the actors who brought the Carringtons and their rivals to life.

John Forsythe

John Forsythe, who portrayed powerful oil baron Blake Carrington, was the unshakable center of Dynasty. He died on April 1, 2010, at the age of 92, following a courageous, years-long battle with cancer. His family said he died “with dignity and grace” after his long struggle with the disease.

Wayne Northrop

Wayne 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 being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. His wife, actress Lynn Herring Northrop, said he “took his last breath in the arms of his family.”

Katy Kurtzman

Katy Kurtzman, who portrayed young Lindsay Blaisdel, stepped away from the spotlight shortly after her time on Dynasty. What began as a temporary break to enjoy a more normal high school life eventually became a major career change. Although she briefly returned to acting at 21, she eventually left Los Angeles and embraced a quieter life, working in acting education and production while remaining far from Hollywood’s constant attention.

Dale Robertson

Dale Robertson, remembered as ruggedly charming Walter Lankershim, died on February 27, 2013, in San Diego at the age of 89. His character was an oil wildcatter and Claudia Blaisdel’s husband who became a thorn in Blake Carrington’s side before leaving the series during its first season. Although his time on the show was brief, his character helped fuel the early conflicts that made Dynasty so addictive.

Bo Hopkins

Bo Hopkins, unforgettable as geologist Matthew Blaisdel, died on May 28, 2022, at the age of 84. Matthew was a former flame of Krystle Carrington and helped create some of the romantic turmoil during the show’s early episodes. Hopkins died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a heart attack, with his beloved wife by his side.

Lee Bergere

Lee Bergere, who played the stern and loyal butler Joseph Anders, died of natural causes on January 31, 2007, in Fremont, New Hampshire. He was 88. Joseph was far more than a household servant—he was a fiercely loyal figure who knew many of the Carrington family’s secrets and helped establish the atmosphere of intrigue surrounding the household.

Diahann Carroll

The dazzling Diahann Carroll, who played the unforgettable Dominique Deveraux, died in October 2019 at the age of 84. With her sharp tongue, glamorous style, and undeniable presence, Carroll became one of the show’s most memorable performers. Her role was also significant in television history, as Dominique became one of the prominent Black characters featured in a primetime soap opera.

Joan Collins

Joan Collins forever redefined television villainy as Alexis Carrington Colby, and she remains active decades after Dynasty. Her portrayal of Alexis became one of the defining performances of the series, turning the character into a pop-culture icon. In 2025, Collins was set to portray Wallis Simpson in The Bitter End, a film directed by Mike Newell. Even after all these years, Collins continues to maintain the bold screen presence that made her a fan favorite.

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear, known for her glamorous and sassy portrayal of Sammy Jo Carrington, faced difficult personal challenges after her Dynasty years. In 2018, she was ordered to attend a residential mental health facility. The following year, she pleaded no contest to eight misdemeanor charges, including multiple counts involving battery against emergency personnel. A 120-day jail sentence was stayed on the condition that she complete 30 days of treatment.

Linda Evans

Linda Evans, who played the beloved Krystle Carrington, left Dynasty in 1988, just one year before the series finale. After years of relentless work and fame, Evans said she needed something more from her life. “I had no days off,” she explained, adding that although Dynasty was a gift, she knew she wanted more. Leaving the show, however, came with unexpected sadness.

In later years, Evans continued acting and became involved in speaking engagements focused on empowering women. She has also embraced a quieter lifestyle. Her appearance in 2025 sparked mixed reactions from fans online, with some expressing surprise while others sent messages of support and affection for the actress who had once been one of television’s biggest stars.

Pamela Sue Martin

Pamela Sue Martin, the original Fallon Carrington, dazzled audiences on screen while privately dealing with severe hair loss during the early 1980s. She later revealed that the condition became particularly difficult while she was working on Dynasty. Producers initially had her wear a wig, but she eventually refused after seeing herself on a magazine cover.

Her hair later recovered, although periods of stress could cause the problem to return. For Martin, the experience became a deeply emotional and physical challenge that existed behind the glamorous image audiences saw on television.

Pamela Bellwood

Pamela Bellwood, who portrayed the fragile yet fiery Claudia Blaisdel, delivered one of the show’s most complex performances. Claudia was haunted by her past and frequently torn between love, loyalty, and her own emotional struggles, giving the early seasons of Dynasty much of their dramatic intensity.

After leaving the series, Bellwood continued taking on acting roles, although her appearances became less frequent over the years. Her final on-screen appearance came in 2013, marking the end of a career that had included one of the most memorable roles in Dynasty.

Al Corley

Al Corley portrayed Steven Carrington, the sensitive and openly gay son of Blake Carrington. He left the show relatively early and later explained that he struggled with remaining committed to the role. “I had to judge my happiness as a person first and my ability to make this character believable,” he said.

Corley eventually moved into other areas of the entertainment industry. By 2005, he was a principal at Code Entertainment and had directed the film Bigger Than the Sky. He later lived in Southern California with his wife and children, pursuing a life away from the intense spotlight that surrounded Dynasty.

John James

John James, who portrayed steadfast Jeff Colby, appeared in both Dynasty and its spinoff The Colbys. After the show’s enormous success, however, he found that Hollywood opportunities became surprisingly difficult to secure. In 1991, he bluntly described the situation by saying, “Nobody wanted to touch me.”

James eventually settled on a farm in upstate New York with his wife, Denise Coward, a former beauty queen and second runner-up for Miss World 1978, and their two children. He later returned to television with roles on As the World Turns and All My Children. In 2022, he reunited with former Dynasty castmates for a cabaret show titled Cocktails with the Carringtons.

The stars of Dynasty may have followed dramatically different paths after leaving the glamorous Carrington world behind, but their impact on television remains undeniable. Some continued acting, others moved behind the scenes, and several chose quieter lives away from Hollywood. More than 40 years after the series premiered, the unforgettable characters, rivalries, romances, and larger-than-life personalities of Dynasty continue to fascinate audiences around the world.