Who Is Still Alive From the 1960s TV Western Series ‘The Big Valley’?
The Big Valley, starring Barbara Stanwyck, first premiered on Sept. 13, 1965. By 1965, the popularity of Westerns had largely shifted from the big screen to our living rooms, thanks to rating powerhouses like Bonanza and Gunsmoke. With Rawhide star Clint Eastwood closing up shop during this year, there was finally room for a new stud in town, and its name was The Big Valley.
For four glorious seasons, viewers latched onto the territorial drama that powered the Barkley Ranch, a chunk of land left to fierce widow Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck) by her late husband Thomas. With three sons — Jarrod (Richard Long), Nick (Peter Breck) and Heath (Thomas’ illegitimate son, played by Lee Majors) — and a vivacious daughter (Audra, played by Linda Evans) stirring the pot, The Big Valley bridged the gap between traditional Western and nighttime soap like Dallas or Knots Landing.
Everett Collection
Sadly, most of the core cast members who kept fans hooked on the Barkley Ranch for 102 episodes have passed on, but two of the show’s biggest stars are thankfully still with us.
Lee Majors (85)
Heath Barkley
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Everett Collection
A major TV star for decades, Lee Majors landed the role of illegitimate half brother Heath Barkley in his mid 20s. While starring in The Big Valley was his first notable acting gig, he immediately stood out as the lone character who had to fight to ultimately earn the acceptance of the rest of the family.
While considered a bit too bland to headline movies, Majors’ popularity and athletic look made him a perfect fit to take on the now-iconic role of bold Colonel Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man TV series in 1973. He continued his success story in 1981, headlining TV’s The Fall Guy as stuntman Colt Seavers. While his leading man charisma never matched contemporary peers like Burt Reynolds or Robert Redford, he continued to act in smaller supporting roles, even after The Fall Guy ended in 1986. Now largely retired, Majors still pops up in movies and TV shows from time to time, he most recently had a cameo in Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt‘s big-screen reboot of The Fall Guy.
Linda Evans (82)
Audrey Barkley
Ken Whitmore/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection
A product of Los Angeles, Linda Evans was destined for stardom dating all the way back to her years attending Hollywood High School. With movie-star looks and charisma, her ultimate goal was to break through on the big screen. However, her early stardom was televised, with appearances on shows like Bachelor Father (alongside future Dynasty costar John Forsythe), The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and The Untouchables, before landing the career-changing role of Audra Barkley.
After four seasons on The Big Valley, Evans continued to pursue a movie career, but it never panned out like she wanted. Luckily, television audiences were still in love with her, leading to her 1981 arrival as the ferocious Krystie Carrington on Dynasty. Going toe-to-toe with Joan Collins (and setting screens ablaze all the while), she and the rest of the cast made soap-opera magic week after week until finally putting the show to bed in 1989. Largely moving away from acting (aside from the occasional TV movie or Dallas reunion special, of course), she returned to the public eye in 2021 with a critically acclaimed appearance in the film Swan Song alongside Udo Kier, Jennifer Coolidge and Michael Urie. Whether she returns to acting for more projects or continues to enjoy retired life, there’s no doubt that the memories of Evan’ provocative presence on our screens will live on.
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The Big Valley currently airs on MeTV+ and INSP.
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Wild West- Heroes & Villains
November 2022
Celebrates the unique sense of justice, compassion and adventure in the Old West as seen on TV and in the movies
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