‘Dynasty’ Star Linda Evans Looks Stunning In Her 80s & Views Her Age As ‘An Adventure’

Nov 22, 2022

Linda Evans was once the talk of the town, starring in an endless stream of television series and appearing in plenty of films throughout her career. She found fame back in the 1960s, portraying the character of Audra Barkley in the Western TV series “The Big Valley,” which aired from 1965 to 1969. Afterward, she went on to land the role she is most remembered for – Krystle Carrington in the 1980s primetime soap opera “Dynasty.” Evans held the role from 1981 to 1989.

The actress was born on Nov. 18, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut. Both of her parents were professional dancers, so it was only time before Evans found herself interested in the entertainment industry. It seemed that time came extremely fast as Evans and her family moved to North Hollywood when she was just 6-months-old. As she grew up, she came into contact with future stars and began taking drama classes. Soon enough, she was working on fully developing her skills and pursuing a professional career in acting.

Evans first began working in 1960 and continued to find more and more roles up until the late 1990s. While she is most known for her roles on television, she has also landed several film jobs along the way. However, aside from some appearances as herself, the actress didn’t work for the majority of the 2000s and 2010s. She made a small comeback in recent years, though. And now, in her 80s, Evans is showing that she is just as talented, beautiful and youthful as ever.

Before Evans became the famous actress she is today, she started out by taking acting classes. At first, it was a simple way to help the budding woman overcome her shyness. Later on, it was clear that acting had become something that meant a lot to Evans, and she had the skills and dedication to pursue it fully. She even changed her surname from Evenstad to Evans when she went on to start making it big in Hollywood.

Fortunately for the hopeful actress, a change was soon to come. She persisted, and Evans eventually became known for her roles in “The Big Valley” and “Dynasty,” the latter of which she has described as her dream role. When Evans found out that “Dynasty” had been renewed for another season, she said, “I was so overjoyed I burst into tears!”

During her run on the show “Dynasty,” Evans received plenty of awards and nominations for her role as Krystle Carrington. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series in 1981 and was nominated in the following years until 1985. She also won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program in 1982 and a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in both 1984 and 1985. 

Reflecting on her “Dynasty Days,” Evans told ABC News that the pressure was “too big.” But once she left, she felt freer. “It was so much fun not to put on makeup and just to be a regular person,” she explained.

Now in her 80s, Evans is still a very notable actress and has even returned to acting in more recent years. In 2020, she acted in a German series called “Das Traumschiff” – a series that features a cruise and dramatic storylines that usually have a very happy ending. In 2021, Evans starred in the film “Swan Song.”

According to People, Evans had left Hollywood a few years after “Dynasty” ended and went to live in a rural area in Washington state. She ultimately stopped looking for work but decided to pick back up several years later, in 2019. This is when she found the script for “Swan Song,” and flew out to Ohio to begin shooting her first film in decades.

In 2021, Evans talked about her more laid-back lifestyle in an interview, saying:

“I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve created a place where I love to be. It’s perfect to get away from everything when the world is in chaos.”

Although Evans doesn’t appear to have any projects in the works, she has a lot to celebrate. She turned 80 on Nov. 18, 2022, and posted a stunning picture on Instagram commemorating the occasion. The actress captioned the post:

“This is 80! 🌟 My heart is so full… and my gratitude so deep! 💛 Every one of your birthday wishes mean so much to me! Life is a gift – and so many of you are such a big part of that! ✨”

Evans told BUNTE magazine, “The number is high, but I see my age as an adventure. I’m excited to see what else is to come.” The actress added, “I have loved every time and every challenge in my life. I’ve suffered a lot, but I’m proud of it.”

What do you think of Linda Evans’ mindset on aging? Are you a fan of her work? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends.