Sealing her place in history
Evans began humbly in the early 1960s with small TV parts, but everything shifted when she landed the role of Audra Barkley on The Big Valley (1965–1969). Playing alongside the legendary Barbara Stanwyck, she embodied strength and determination as the ranch family’s daughter. It was her first brush with stardom — and it taught her the professionalism and grit that would define her career.
“It was an ‘old world time’ that I thought was quite beautiful and I was thrilled to be a part of it. I don’t know if I would want to start in this world right now, especially the way it is set up,” she said.
But it was the 1980s that sealed Linda Evans’s place in pop culture history.
In 1981, she stepped into the role of Krystle Carrington on the primetime soap Dynasty — and television would never be the same. Against Joan Collins’s fiery Alexis Carrington, Evans played the graceful and morally steady Krystle. Their onscreen rivalry exploded into some of TV’s most legendary catfights, forever etched in pop culture. While Collins brought the fire, Evans brought the heart — balancing over-the-top drama with a warmth that made her America’s sweetheart.
As Krystle, the anxious-to-please, soft-spoken blonde with a flawless look, Linda Evans rose to become one of the most popular and bankable actresses on television. Her portrayal won her a Golden Globe Award and multiple People’s Choice Awards, cementing her as one of television’s most beloved actresses.
“We were very fortunate with Dynasty, we had an exceptionally good cast, and everybody got along despite the Enquirer saying that there were fights on the show. We never had any of that,” Linda said.
Heartbreak and marriages
But off-screen, Evans faced battles of her own. Her marriage to actor John Derek ended in heartbreak when he left her for a teenage Bo Derek — a scandal splashed across tabloids. Yet through it all, Evans carried herself with dignity and grace, never lashing out publicly. Fans admired her even more for her quiet strength.
After her split from John Derek, Linda went on to marry billionaire developer Stan Herman — but that relationship, too, eventually came to an end.
When Dynasty ended in 1989, Evans chose peace over the Hollywood grind. She moved to the Pacific Northwest, embracing wellness, spirituality, and family life.
”After Dynasty, I sort of retired again. Somehow I am very blessed when I want to work, or when something interests me, things come to me,” she said.
She later opened up about her journey in her memoir, Recipes for Life: My Memories, a heartfelt mix of personal stories and favorite recipes.
And she wasn’t done surprising people. In 2009, Evans appeared on Hell’s Kitchen UK, charming Gordon Ramsay and winning the entire competition — proving she still had the same determination that once lit up America’s TV screens.
