Linda Evans is an American actress whose career left a lasting mark on television from the 1960s through the 1980s. She first gained widespread attention for her role as Audra Barkley on The Big Valley, which aired from 1965 to 1969 and starred Barbara Stanwyck. The series played a major role in establishing Evans as a reliable and recognizable television performer, with her work noted for its steadiness and professionalism throughout the show’s run.
Her most defining role came in 1981, when she was cast as Krystle Carrington on the prime-time drama Dynasty. The series became one of the most popular programs of the decade and remained on the air until 1989. Evans’ portrayal earned her a Golden Globe Award along with multiple People’s Choice Awards, cementing her place as one of the most familiar faces on American television during the 1980s. Interviews from that period describe a structured and professional production environment behind the scenes.
Born Linda Evenstad on November 18, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut, Evans grew up in a Norwegian-American family before moving to California as a child. She developed an interest in acting during her school years and went on to study drama. Early in her career, she appeared in guest roles across several television series before securing long-running roles. Although she also appeared in television films and a small number of theatrical projects, serialized television remained the central focus of her professional life.
After Dynasty ended, Evans chose to step back from regular acting and live more privately. She later authored a memoir that blended personal reflections with recipes and made a brief return to television in 2009 by appearing on and winning Hell’s Kitchen UK. In the years since, she has lived largely out of the public eye in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing personal well-being and a quieter lifestyle. While her on-screen work has slowed, Linda Evans’ contributions remain an important part of television history and continue to be widely acknowledged.
