This article is about an actress. For a writer, see Linda Evans (author).
Linda Evans (born Linda Evanstad on November 18, 1942 in Hartford, Connecticut) is a Golden Globe-winning American actress known primarily for her roles on soap operas and television. At 23, she arose to fame as Barbara Stanwyck's daughter and Lee Majors's sister, Audra Barkley, on the 1960s western, The Big Valley (1965-1969) and later as John Forsythe's younger compassionate wife, Krystle Carrington, on the 1980s prime-time television soap opera, Dynasty (1981-1989).
Evans's first guest-starring role was on an episode of Bachelor Father. In real-life, Evans said that she actually had a crush on Forsythe. This led her to co-starring with him on Dynasty, more than 2 decades later.
Due to her character's name on Dynasty, she started a successful ad campaign for Crystal Light beverages, starting in 1984. She was also recently spoofed in a scene on one episode of Family Guy, in which it was implied that the actress could not work well with others. As a result, Evans finds no more acting jobs and had to work in a supermarket.
Evans was the one who filmed Evel Knievel's jump over the fountains of Caesars Palace on New Year's Eve, 1967.
Evans has been married twice. She was first married to film producer John Derek from 1968 to 1974. When their marriage ended, he soon married actress Bo Derek. Evans' second marriage was to Stan Herman, a property executive, from 1976 to 1981. Evans dated musician Yanni from 1989 until 1998.
Regularly listed as one of the most beautiful women in America, she appeared in Playboy magazine in 1971 and a second time in 1982 when she was turning forty.
For her contribution to the television industry, Linda Evans has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6834 Hollywood Blvd.
Evans resides in Tacoma, Washington and owns a small chain of fitness centers.
In the 1990s, Evans hosted infomercials for Rejuvenique, a mask for toning facial muscles. In 2005, she was one of the guests at the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
In 2006 Evans starred in Legends opposite former Dynasty rival, Joan Collins. She made her Broadway debut when the US tour ended.
She is a follower of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment.
