If the 1980s had a queen of elegance, it was Linda Evans. As Krystle Carrington on Dynasty, she turned poise into power, proving that you could win a catfight without losing your cool. But Evans’ journey to stardom was anything but overnight.
Starting as a shy girl from Connecticut, Evans stumbled into acting almost by accident. A friend’s nudge led her to Hollywood High School’s drama classes, and soon, she was landing TV roles. The Big Valley made her a star, but Dynasty turned her into a legend. As Krystle, she was the calm in a storm of shoulder pads and scheming—a role that earned her a Golden Globe and made her a fan favorite.
Behind the scenes, Evans faced real-life drama, including a messy divorce from John Derek. But unlike her on-screen rival Alexis, she handled it with class, never airing her struggles for tabloid fodder. Post-Dynasty, she traded fame for tranquility, writing a memoir and even surprising fans with a stint on Hell’s Kitchen. (Yes, she impressed Gordon Ramsay.)
Now in her 80s, Evans may have left the limelight, but her impact hasn’t faded. In an era of over-the-top TV, she reminded us that sometimes, the quietest stars shine the brightest.
