the Big Valley the epic western TV series brought the powerful Barkley family into the hearts of audiences

everywhere with the strong willed Victoria Barkley and the charming Heath

it revived a golden era of television the show’s heroic years once stirred

millions of hearts but behind the spotlight many stars who made The Big Valley iconic have left us some under

hauntingly tragic circumstances in this video we’ll uncover the painful hidden stories of their lives the

secrets they kept and honor the immortal legacy they left behind don’t forget to

like subscribe and let’s dive in now barbara Stanwick as Victoria Barkley

barbara Stanwick born Ruby Katherine Stevens on July 16th 1907 in Brooklyn

New York was 58 years old when she joined the Big Valley 1965 playing

Victoria Barkley a powerful composed widow who served as the emotional and financial backbone of the Barkley family

this role earned Stanwick a prestigious Emmy award and solidified her image as a

strong fearless woman on the small screen but behind that powerful facade

Barbara Stanwick’s real life was a long chain of tragedies orphaned at the age of four

when her mother died in a horrific street car accident her father vanished soon after barbara and her brother lived

apart in makeshift homes suffering abuse and emotional wounds from an early age

that dark childhood shaped a steel-hearted woman who rose from nightclub dancer to Broadway star and

ultimately one of Hollywood’s leading actresses she went through two marriages

the first was to actor Frank Fay a violent alcoholic and ended in

bitterness they adopted a boy named Dion later renamed Anthony Dion but their

relationship soured badly her son accused her of being cold controlling

and unloving her second marriage to Robert Taylor though seemingly a fairy tale was orchestrated by MGM and

eventually ended after more than a decade stanwick was also surrounded by controversy accused of betraying

colleagues during the Hollywood blacklist to protect her career tightly controlling co-stars and crew to the

point of once firing a makeup artist for touching her without permission she had been addicted to cigarettes since the

age of nine and only quit four years before her death years of smoking

combined with bronchial illness from inhaling special effects smoke on the set of The Thornbirds led to severe

respiratory failure barbara Stanwick died on January 20th 1990 at the age of 82 from

congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD

at the time of her death her net worth was estimated at $10 million a significant sum for a woman who rose

from poverty and built a legendary cinematic empire with her own hands

richard Long as Jared Barkley richard McCord Long born December 17th 1927 was

a popular American actor known for his handsome looks dignified demeanor and

charming smile that captivated 1960s audiences at age 38 he took on the role

of Jared Barkley in The Big Valley 1965 to 1969 the calm principled eldest son of

the powerful Barkley family and a respected lawyer this role became the

pinnacle of his television career but far from his on-screen persona as a model gentleman Richard Long’s real life

was full of emotional pain he suffered from pneumonia as a young man which left

lasting damage and gradually weakened his heart over time despite a bright

start in Hollywood with his debut alongside Orson Wells in 1946 Long’s career slowly faded due to a

growing alcohol addiction he frequently arrived late to set stuttered forgot

lines and had violent outbursts leading Warner Brothers to end his contract his

personal life was equally troubled his first marriage was to actress Susan Ball

who tragically died of cancer just 14 months after their wedding at the age of 22 his second marriage to model Mara

Cordday was also Rocky in 1961 Long was arrested for assaulting her during a

drunken episode although they later reconciled their relationship was never the same weighed down by one tragedy

after another Richard Long spiraled deeper into alcoholism in his final

years he continued working in television with roles in Nanny and the Professor

Death Cruz and The Girl Who Came Gift Wrapped but his body could no longer keep up after years of battling heart

disease and a lengthy stay at Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles Richard Long passed away on December 21st 1974

just 4 days after his 47th birthday his net worth at the time was estimated at

$2 million but his true value lay in the unforgettable roles he played especially

his portrayal of Jared Barkley peter Breck as Nick Barkley peter Breck born

March 13th 1929 in Rochester New York was the American actor who set

television screens ablaze as Nick Barkley the hotheaded loyal middle son of the Barkley clan in the Big Valley

1965 to 1969 at 36 Breck brought unforgettable

energy to the role a fearless cowboy who fought with both fists and heart to

protect his family but Peter Bre in real life was a very different story a man

known for his impulsive temperament and deep immersion in his roles to the point of losing touch with himself during one

break in filming he reportedly punched a co-star for insulting the character of

Nick Barkley after The Big Valley ended Breck’s career went into decline he slid

into B-grade horror films and obscure European productions often clashing with directors over script control his

personal life was also far from peaceful though married to dancer Diane Bourne

since 1960 and father to a son named Christopher rumors circulated that

Breck’s cold and controlling behavior created constant tension at home the

most devastating blow came when Christopher died from leukemia at age 30

in his later years Breck was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 his wife announced

that while he could still read fan mail he was no longer able to sign autographs or attend public events he withdrew from

the spotlight and lived quietly in Vancouver Canada peter Breck passed away on February 6th 2012 in Vancouver at the

age of 82 just weeks shy of his 83rd birthday he died after a long

hospitalization due to severe illness at the time of his passing his net worth was estimated at $1 million a modest sum

compared to the towering impact he once had douglas Kennedy as Sheriff Fred

Madden douglas Richards Kennedy born on September 14th 1915 was once seen as a

rising star of American western films during the 1950s to 1960s he took on the

role of Sheriff Fred Madden in The Big Valley in 1965 at the age of 50 though

he only appeared in a handful of episodes the character of Sheriff Madden upright and stern was vividly portrayed

through Kennedy’s rugged appearance and commanding voice however in real life Douglas Kennedy was a man spiraling out

of control destroyed by alcoholism on the set of The Big Valley he frequently

arrived late wreaking of alcohol and had to rely on Qards to remember his lines

as a result he was demoted to minor supporting roles from a once promising lead actor to a name directors tried to

avoid his personal life was no less troubled rumors circulated about

infidelity spousal abuse and even fathering a child out of wedlock during a film shoot in Arizona a lawsuit that

dealt a serious blow to his reputation although he was married to Isabelle Russell and had a son Douglas

Kennedy Jr his public image steadily deteriorated drifting further from the

early glamour of his career after falling out of Hollywood’s inner circle Kennedy only appeared sporadically in

supporting roles in TV shows such as Perry Mason Colt.45 and Hawaii 50 his final role was

in three episodes of Hawaii 50 in 1973 douglas Kennedy died of cancer on

August 10th 1973 in Honolulu Hawaii just weeks before his 58th birthday he was

buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific a resting place for US

military veterans paul Sorenson as Dave Sloan paul Sorenson born on February

16th 1926 in Kenosha Wisconsin was one of the familiar faces of American

television from the 1950s to the 1980s he portrayed Dave Sloan the humble yet

loyal blacksmith of Stockton in the Big Valley in 1965 at the age of

39 sorenson left a mark with his portrayal of a dependable working man quietly maintaining order amid the chaos

of the Wild West yet offscreen Paul Sorenson was a complex and tormented man

trapped in supporting roles throughout his life from Gunsmoke and The Virginia to Dallas and the Brady Bunch he

harbored a quiet resentment for never achieving the stardom of his peers this

bitterness turned into hostility he often criticized younger actors and once

even threatened a director during an argument on set in the 1970s his

marriage also suffered turbulence his wife actress Jquelin May once left him

following accusations of an affair with a stunt woman though they eventually reconciled the emotional fracture in

their relationship never fully healed in 1973 Sorenson was also investigated for

tax evasion nevertheless Paul Sorenson did not vanish in his anger after

retiring in the late 1980s he found a spiritual path together with his wife

and son Christian he became a minister turning to faith after years under the

cold glare of studio lights they ran the original actors workshop and devoted

themselves to supporting young artists paul Sorenson died of natural causes on

July 17th 2008 in Cardiff by the Sea California at the age of 82 he left

behind two sons a sister and a grandson harlon Ward as Arthur Clever harlon Ward

born on November 6th 1917 in Los Angeles was a familiar face on television

screens appearing in hundreds of supporting roles over a 40-year career though never a name bathed in limelight

in 1965 at age 48 he portrayed Arthur Clever in The Big Valley an intellectual

and composed character who appeared sporadically in a few episodes the role

closely mirrored the public perception of Ward reserved distant and somewhat

detached behind that serious exterior however was a life filled with mystery

ward was intensely private nearly reclusive in Hollywood’s lively social scene he declined public appearances

avoided interviews and often left the set immediately after filming his scenes

within industry circles rumors swirled of complicated romantic entanglements

with both men and women one actress even accused him of emotional manipulation

claiming he drove her to the brink of suicide though the studio covered up the

incident Ward’s image among colleagues was permanently altered he was also

known for his obsessive passion for collecting military memorabilia and his fascination with political conspiracy

theories close friends eventually distanced themselves from him due to his

bizarre tales from claims of a shadow government to his belief that he was being watched by the CIA professionally

haron Ward was often cast as detectives doctors pastors or sheriffs appearing in

Perry Mason The Rifleman The Virginia and The Andy Griffith Show he played

Sheriff Bron in the Virginia for nearly a decade and also portrayed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in Death Valley Days

his final role was in the Rockford Files in 1979 just one year before his sudden

passing harlon Ward died of a heart attack on March 13th 1980 at the age of

62 he was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery a resting place for military

veterans a fitting final tribute to his deep if unconventional connection to

America’s wartime legacy mark Tapscott as Bates mark Tapscott born Mark Lauren

Tapscott on December 15th 1924 in Bell California was a quiet yet familiar face

in countless American western TV series of the 1960s at age 38 he joined the Big Valley

as Bates a gentle loyal supporting character who often served as a silent helper to the Barkley family but behind

that subdued presence was a life filled with sorrow after serving in both World War II and

the Korean War as a US Marine Mark Tapscott returned to California in 1957

with high hopes for an acting career however luck didn’t stay on his side for

long between 1970 and 1980 Tapscott auditioned for more than 150 film and

television projects most of which turned him down the string of rejections

devastated his self-esteem he turned to gambling for escape plunging into

underground poker games in Los Angeles and racking up enormous debts this

addiction strained his second marriage to Cibil Line though they remained together until his death the emotional

bond had long faded rumors also circulated that he had fathered a child

out of wedlock a claim he never acknowledged mark Tapscott passed away on September

10th 1993 in Los Angeles County at the age of 68 he died in solitude remembered

only faintly as a once-beloved actor known for his quiet dedication bing

Russell as Clint Dan Kelsey actor Bing Russell born Neil Oliver Russell on May

5th 1926 in Brattleboroough Vermont joined the hit series The Big Valley in

1965 at the age of 39 playing Clint Dan Kelsey a tough stoic supporting

character full of western charm he embodied the classic cowboy stern

mysterious and magnetic yet in contrast to his calm on-screen persona Bing

Russell’s real life was marked by turmoil heartbreak and rebellious choices despite appearances in hundreds

of shows like Bonanza Gunsmoke and The Twilight Zone he never broke into the ranks of A-list stars largely due to his

stubborn nature and frequent clashes with directors over scripts and roles he was fired from several major productions

and rumors swirled of an affair with a 21-year-old actress that fractured his marriage to Louise Cone his wife since

1946 and the mother of his four children including future Hollywood star Kurt

Russell as his acting career faded Bing poured his passion into baseball a sport

he had loved since childhood from 1973 to 1977 he owned the minor league team

Portland Mavericks turning it into a symbol of defiance against the professional baseball

establishment but behind that rebel spirit was a lingering loneliness he

once said “I created a place where the outcasts could play their hearts out

just once in their lives.” Bing Russell died on April 8th 2003 in

Thousand Oaks California at the age of 76 due to complications from cancer he

is remembered as an underground icon the father of a star and a maverick in his

own right Walker Edmonton as Coroner Barney walker Robert Edmmon born

February 6th 1926 in St louis Missouri was a gifted puppeteer and voice actor

in 1965 at age 39 he appeared in The Big Valley as Barney the town coroner a

minor role featured in a few episodes while not a standout on screen Edmmon

became one of the most recognizable voices to American audiences during the 1960s to 1980s but behind his rich

expressive voice was a soul carrying silent storms despite voicing countless

beloved shows like The Transformers Land of the Lost HR Puff and Stuff The

Booaloos and the long-running radio drama Adventures in Odyssey where he played Tom Riley for over two decades

Edmonston never felt truly acknowledged in the late 1970s after losing a major

voice acting contract he fell into severe depression and once attempted suicide in silence later his daughter

accused him of emotional manipulation and excessive control leading to a tense

strained father-daughter relationship he shared his life with wife Evelyn from 1950 until her death in 1998

they had two daughters but their family life bore the quiet scars of Edmonston’s

psychological battles walker Edmmon died on February 15th 2007 at the age of 81

in Woodland Hills California after battling cancer he passed away quietly

just like he lived a remarkable artist cloaked in the midst of forgetfulness

bill Quinn as George Allison william Tyrell bill Quinn born May 6th 1912 in New York

City was a veteran actor with over 150 roles spanning from silent films in the

1920s to late 1980s television in 1965 at the age of 53 he appeared in The Big

Valley as Dr george Allison a calm and trustworthy physician who featured in

episodes dealing with diagnosis and medical care but offscreen Bill Quinn’s

life was far less serene than the characters he played behind the spotlight stood a man bearing quiet

tragedies his first wife Mary Catherine Rhoden died in a car accident a loss so

devastating he never publicly spoke about it since then Bill sank into loneliness and depression often drinking

alone after shooting days though known for his warm voice and gentle demeanor

some younger actors criticized him for being overly preachy especially during

his appearances on sitcom sets like the Bob New Hart show where his son-in-law

comedian Bob New Hart also starred he was quietly removed from a project for

creating tension among younger cast members the sorrow didn’t end there

rumors swirled that his son died under mysterious circumstances possibly

suicide that tragedy reportedly shattered Bill emotionally causing him to withdraw completely into silence and

alcohol leaving the stage as his only escape bill Quinn died on April 29th

1994 at the age of 81 in Camarillo California the official cause was listed

as natural but those close to him believed he died wrapped in prolonged solitude haunted by the darkness of his

past he was buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery closing the curtain on

a life filled with artistic dedication and unspoken heartbreak joe Higgins as

Mortonson joseph H higgins born July 12th 1925 in Loganport Indiana was a

familiar face on American television throughout the 1960s and 1970s in 1965

at age 40 he joined the Big Valley as Mortonson a reliable but soft-spoken

supporting character often appearing in episodes involving legal matters or internal conflict

however Joe Higgins real life sharply contrasted with the calm demeanor he projected on screen a staunch

conservative he was nearly fired from one production after making discriminatory and doineering remarks to

a younger colleague the fallout was significant and some directors refused to work with him afterward his marriage

also ended in heartbreak in 1982 his wife filed for divorce citing verbal

abuse and threats of physical harm but perhaps the most painful chapter came in

the late 1980s when he severed ties with his son upon discovering he was gay a

revelation Joe never accepted or forgave even until his death outside of Hollywood Higgins

remained a recognizable figure thanks to his work in television commercials from 1969 to

1975 he portrayed a sheriff in a popular Dodge ad campaign a role that earned him

a Cleo Award he was later invited to be a spokesperson for General Electric and

even featured in an FBI anti-rime campaign an ironic twist in a life

filled with contradictions despite holding a PhD in philosophy and

participating in numerous social campaigns Joe Higgins never overcame his

internal wounds or the emotional isolation within his own family he died

of a heart attack on June 15th 1998 in Los Angeles at the age of 72 he passed

away with unresolved conflicts with his son and many of his former colleagues chose not to attend his memorial kevin

Hagen as Amos Frell kevin Hagen born April 3rd 1928 in Chicago Illinois was a

seasoned actor best known for his role as Dr hyram Baker on Little House on the Prairie but before that at age 37 in

1965 he played Amos Frell in a few episodes of The Big Valley a reserved

soft-spoken character who carried the weight of lived experience in reality

Kevin Hagen’s life was far from peaceful he grew up without his father a dancer

who abandoned the family when Kevin was still young raised by his mother and aunts in precarious circumstances he was

shaped by emotional deprivation which left scars on his temperament hotheaded

abrasive and easily explosive though he carved out a place for himself in

television a violent altercation with a co-star on an NBC set led to a

widespread casting ban and stalled his career for years two failed marriages

one involving allegations of emotional and behavioral abuse though later retracted further tainted his reputation

in Hollywood his son Christopher publicly criticized him calling him a

father who played the kind man on camera but was cold behind the scenes that statement caused Kevin to

retreat further into isolation he became heavily addicted to cigarettes which was

later identified as the primary cause of the esophageal cancer that claimed his life kevin Hagen died on July 9th 2005

at the age of 77 at his home in Oregon after a long battle with illness he left

behind his third wife Jan and son Christopher though the fractures in their relationship likely remained

unresolved lq Jones as court Justice Ellis McQueen Jr widely known by his

stage name LQ Jones was born on August 19th 1927 in Bumont Texas at age 39 in

1966 he joined the Big Valley as Court a tough hard-edged supporting character

frequently involved in tense confrontations much like his on-screen role Jones in real life was abrasive

doineering and often surrounded by controversy from an early age life was

harsh for him his mother died in a car accident leaving a deep void in young Eustace’ heart after serving in the US

Navy he tried his hand at several jobs none of which held his interest for long

thanks to his old friend actor Fes Parker he found his way into Hollywood

adopting the name LQ Jones a name that would define him for life behind the

spotlight were scars that never quite healed jones developed a reputation for

being controlling frequently clashing with directors threatening colleagues and becoming someone many crews were

wary of working with his marriage collapsed in the 1970s leaving behind a

strained relationship with his son whom he was rumored to micromanage and distrust to a point of

paranoia despite the drama he never gave up acting thanks to his grit and ability

to endure the unforgiving environment of Hollywood he amassed an estimated net worth of $2 million largely from

memorable supporting roles lq Jones died on July 9th 2022 at

his home in Hollywood Hills Los Angeles at the age of 94 after a long and

eventful life richard Anderson as Hen Matson richard Norman Anderson born

August 8th 1926 in Long Branch New Jersey was one of the stalwarts of

American film and television at age 40 he appeared in The Big Valley 1966 as

Hen Matson a polished refined supporting character who added depth to the show’s

dramatic twists but behind his handsome face and warm deep voice lay a double

life marked by fractures and scandal he was rumored to have engaged in overlapping affairs while still married

his two marriages one to Carol Lee Lad and another to Katherine Thalberg

daughter of film legends Irving Thalberg and Norma Sheerer ended in divorce both

marred by whispers of infidelity and tabloid leaks colleagues claimed

Anderson used his industry clout to sabotage rivals and reportedly paid off parties to suppress a heated altercation

with a veteran director despite the personal controversy his career remained

intact with over 150 roles spanning the 1950s to the 1990s Richard Anderson was

a staple on American television beyond his iconic role as Oscar Goldman he made

lasting impressions in shows like Perry Mason Dynasty Nightrider Columbbo and

Murder she wrote richard Anderson passed away on August 31st 2017 in Beverly

Hills California at the age of 91 a peaceful end to a life once bathed in

the bright lights of Hollywood lee Major as Heath Barkley lee Majors born Harvey

Lee Yuri on April 23rd 1939 in Wandata Michigan was 26 years old when he joined

the Big Valley in 1965 playing Heath Barkley the illegitimate son of the Barkley family

this breakout role appeared in 112 episodes and catapulted him into stardom

after just one season yet behind the fame lay a life marked by upheaval and

deep personal conflict orphaned of both parents before the age of two Major was raised by his aunt and

uncle growing up in quiet resilience a severe back injury ended

his football dreams prompting him to turn to acting a decision that etched

his name into TV history following the big valley Majors went on to become a

global phenomenon as Steve Austin in the $6 million man 1973 to 1978 earning him

the nickname the $6 million man he went through four marriages the most famous

being with actress Farah Faucet the couple became icons of their era but

their relationship ended in a storm of jealousy mistrust and infidelity rumors

farah left Major in 1979 at the peak of his fame to pursue a

turbulent life of her own while he maintained a strong image on screen

Major was said to have emotionally crumbled behind the scenes leading to rumors of alcoholism which he repeatedly

denied his career slowed considerably afterward outside of acting Major

underwent heart bypass surgery in 2003 and has faced health challenges in later

life today at 86 years old he is still alive occasionally appearing in guest

roles or doing voice work for television and animation with an estimated net worth of $15 million Lee Major remains a

living legend an irreplaceable figure in the hearts of generations of fans worldwide linda Evans as Audra Barkley

linda Evans born on November 18th 1942 lit up television screens with her

gentle yet resilient beauty in the role of Audra Barkley the golden daughter of

the Barkley family in The Big Valley 1965 to 1969 just 23 years old when she took on

the part Evans captivated millions with her portrayal of a western woman who was as strong as she was stunning but behind

Audra’s golden hair and hopeful gaze lay a real life filled with heartbreak and

emotional turmoil her first marriage to actor director John Derek ended painfully on

Christmas Day 1973 when he left her for 17-year-old Bo

Derek evans would later describe it as a heartshattering blow her second marriage

to businessman Stan Herman lasted less than 5 years followed by a nearly

decadel long romance with musician Yanni a relationship that ended quietly

without marriage or a formal breakup evans also struggled intensely with

insecurities about her appearance to the point of promoting facial toning masks on television despite being hailed as a

beauty icon the pressure of Hollywood’s beauty standards made her doubt herself

deeply after Dynasty ended in 1989 the series that earned her a Golden Globe

Emmy recognition and millions of devoted fans for her role as Crystal Carrington

Evans stepped away from the spotlight she chose a quieter life immersing

herself in spirituality enlightenment retreats with Jay-Z Knight and Eastern philosophy she now lives in a secluded

70 acre estate in Reineer Washington alongside her sister nephew and an old

step-daughter far from the glitz and chaos of fame today Linda Evans is 83

years old and still alive she occasionally participates in small projects her most recent appearance was

in the film Swan Song 2021 she spends most of her time writing

giving back through charity and seeking inner peace with an estimated net worth of $20

million the Big Valley left an unforgettable imprint on audiences but the tragic stories behind its stars add

a bittersweet layer to its legacy they may be gone but their contributions live

on who was your favorite character in The Big Valley share your thoughts in the comments hit like and subscribe to

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