Who’s Still Alive from the Cast of ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’?

Rich Man, Poor Man premiered on ABC on February 1, 1976, and wrapped its original run on March 15, 1976, turning Irwin Shaw’s bestselling novel into the second-ever TV mini-series—one that nabbed multiple Emmys and Golden Globes, including Golden Globes for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Television Series-Drama. Spanning the years from the end of World War II through the turbulent ’60s, the 12-episode mini-series followed the very different paths of brothers Rudy and Tom Jordache: one driven by ambition and corporate success, the other fueled by rebellion.

As the series marks its 50th anniversary, three of its central stars and one one supporting actress are still with us: Peter Strauss, Nick Nolte, Susan Blakely, and Kim Darby. Let’s find out what they’re up to now.

Peter Strauss (78)

Rudy Jordache

Everett Collection; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Rich Man, Poor Man helped establish Strauss as one of television’s most reliable mini-series leading men, and his career quickly followed that trajectory. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his powerful performance in The Jericho Mile and went on to headline other significant projects, including Masada and Kane & Abel.

His work spanned television, film, and voice acting, and he continued appearing on screen well into the 2010s and 2020s, including a 2020 guest appearance on Grey’s Anatomy. Away from acting, Strauss has also been involved in environmental and land conservation efforts, including the preservation of what is now known as the Peter Strauss Ranch.

Nick Nolte (84)

Tom Jordache

Everett Collection; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Nick Nolte’s Tom Jordache was the role that introduced Nolte to a national audience and instantly positioned him as a major leading man. Nolte went on to earn Academy Award nominations for The Prince of Tides, Affliction, and Warrior, and won a Golden Globe for The Prince of Tides. At the same time, his later television roles include Luck, Graves, a memorable turn in The Mandalorian, and a 2023 guest appearance on Poker Face.

Susan Blakely (77)

Julie Prescott

Everett Collection; Robin L Marshall/Getty Images

Her performance as Julie, Rudy’s longtime love, resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, earning her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama and an Emmy nomination. Following her success on Rich Man, Poor Man and its sequel, Blakely became a familiar face in television movies throughout the ’80s and ’90s while continuing to appear in feature films. Her credits include roles in The Towering Inferno, Capone, and Over the Top, as well as acclaimed television performances, including her portrayal of Frances Farmer in Will There Really Be a Morning? In recent years, she has made guest appearances on series such as NCIS and This Is Us.

Kim Darby (78)

Virginia Calderwood

Everett Collection; Angela Weiss/Getty Images

Darby received an Emmy nomination for her appearances as Virginia Calderwood, daughter of scheming businessman Duncan Calderwood. She was already well-known for her turn as Mattie Ross in the 1969 John Wayne classic True Grit, and this performance helped anchor her reputation as a young actress to contend with.

Her later work included quirky ’80s comedies like Better Off Dead and Teen Wolf Too — plus we can’t forget that she played Laurie Strode’s adoptive mother in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. In recent years, Darby has stepped away from the camera, with her last film credit being The Evil Within, released in 2017 but filmed years earlier.

In Memoriam

Ed Asner, who played patriarch Axel Jordache, died in 2021, at the age of 91, of natural causes.

Bill Bixby, who played Willie Abbott, died in 1993, at the age of 59, due to complications from prostate cancer.

Dorothy McGuire, who played Mary Jordache, died in 2001, at the age of 85, due to cardiac arrhythmia.

Robert Reed, who played Teddy Boylan, died in 1992, at the age of 59, due to colon lymphoma.

Where to watch Rich Man, Poor Man

It is not currently streaming or available on cable. The most reliable way to watch the miniseries remains physical media, specifically the A&E Home Video DVD release titled Rich Man, Poor Man: The Complete Collection, which includes the full original series.

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