What The Surviving Cast Of '70s Show Dallas Looks Like Today

"Dallas" lasted for an impressive 357 episodes from 1978 to 1991. It helped define the soap opera for its era and had a huge influence on other shows as well as public perception of its title city. The show's "Who Shot J.R.?" storyline became one of the most famous plots in the history of television, and over 83 million Americans tuned in to watch its resolution.

During a 2008 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, cast member Susan Howard discussed the show's appeal. "It was probably the last of its kind," she opined. "It primarily was a show to entertain and to showcase actors and pretty clothes and attractive people and relationships. It was entertainment. I think we've kind of gotten away from that." The show was so popular that it spawned a revival that lasted from 2012 to 2014.

Since "Dallas" was canceled, members of its cast have had fascinating careers. One helped turn the Elvis Presley estate into a major enterprise. Another became a political activist. Another acted in one of the most beloved Disney films of the 1990s. Here is a look at the lives of some of the actors from "Dallas" and what they look like today.

Patrick Duffy played Bobby Ewing on "Dallas" from 1978 to 1985. Then, he left the show during its 1985-1986 season before returning for the rest of its run. Duffy went on to appear in several other television shows, such as "Step by Step," "The Bold and the Beautiful," and "Welcome to Sweden." When "Dallas" was revived from 2012 to 2014, Duffy was a regular. Since the revival was canceled, Duffy has appeared on other series such as "NCIS" and "The Family Business."

Linda Gray played Sue Ellen Ewing on "Dallas" and its revival. She also appeared in movies such as "Oscar" and "Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?" In 2014, Gray played the Fairy Godmother in a stylized stage production of "Cinderella," which featured nods to her role on "Dallas." In 2015, she released her memoir "The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction." During a 2015 interview with Dallas Decoder, Gray said she wanted her book to encourage people to stop complaining and live life to the fullest. 

Victoria Principal portrayed Pamela Ewing on "Dallas" from 1978 to 1987. Afterward, she founded her own television studio: Victoria Principal Productions. The studio was behind television movies including "Midnight's Child" and "Naked Lie." In 1990, she launched a skincare line called Principal Secret, which has earned over $2 billion and remains popular to this day. During a 2018 interview with TV Insider, Principal said her time on "Dallas" helped her realize her dreams. "I would like to say...Gratitude is the heart's memory," she said. "Thank you, 'Dallas.'"

Charlene Tilton appeared in the cult classic movies "Freaky Friday" and "Big Wednesday" before playing Lucy Ewing on "Dallas." Following her final departure from the show in 1990, she acted in several more films, including the comedies "The Silence of the Hams," "Totally Blonde," "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," and "Superhero Movie." Tilton is an advocate for autism awareness and has worked with the group Actors for Autism. She said volunteering for the organization helped her find happiness in hard times.

Steve Kanaly portrayed Ray Krebbs on "Dallas". After the show ended, he appeared in "Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings," the sequel to the popular horror movie "Pumpkinhead." Notably, Krebbs co-starred in the movie with Soleil Moon Frye, who played the main character in the sitcom "Punky Brewster." "Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings" is a showcase for two television legends. Since then, Kanaly's appearances on the big and small screen have been sporadic. He reprised his role as Krebbs for four episodes of the "Dallas" revival.

Priscilla Presley entered the spotlight when she dated Elvis Presley. The two married in 1967 and divorced in 1973. The "Suspicious Minds" singer died in 1977. Following his death, Priscilla became a star in her own right. She played Jenna Wade in "Dallas" and Jane Spencer in the "Naked Gun" movies. Priscilla has spent much of her time in the public eye promoting Elvis' legacy. In 1980, she inherited the singer's estate. Between then and 1990, she and her fellow trustees increased the estate's value from $5 million to $75 million. In 2023, she produced her biopic "Priscilla."

Susan Howard played Donna Culver Krebbs. Since she left "Dallas" in 1987, she has been more of an activist than an actor. That same year, Howard took a leadership role in the National Rifle Association before resigning in 2021. In 1995, Texas governor and future president George W. Bush appointed Howard to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. During her appointment hearing, Senator Jane Nelson mistakenly called Howard "Donna." In a 2008 Orlando Sentinel interview, Howard said she did not take the blunder to heart.

On "Dallas," Audrey Lander played Afton Cooper. During the soap opera's original run, she acted in "A Chorus Line," her most famous film. Lander has mostly worked in television, appearing in numerous classic shows. She had parts in "Police Woman," "Battlestar Galactica," "Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "The Dukes of Hazzard," "One Life to Live," "The Cosby Show," "The Huggabug Club," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Burn Notice." Her most recent screen appearance was in 2022's "Cloudy with a Chance of Christmas."

Cathy Podewell had a role in the 1980s horror film "Night of the Demons," which has a small following among fans of the genre. Then, she portrayed Cally Harper Ewing on "Dallas" during the show's final three years. Afterward, she occasionally acted on television, appearing in "Murder, She Wrote," "Beverly Hills, 90210," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." When "Dallas" was revived, she reprised her role as Cally for a single episode. Since then, she has made occasional appearances on television and in independent films.

On "Dallas," Deborah Tranelli portrayed Phyllis Wapner. After joining the cast, Tranelli starred in the thriller "Naked Vengeance" and performed "Rather Love," the movie's theme song. Since her guest role in a 1995 episode of "Law & Order," Tranelli has only appeared on-screen once — in the short film "Dance for One." In 2004, she released an album called "A Lot of Livin'" that featured covers of several classic standards, such as "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home."

Sheree J. Wilson is best known for playing April Stevens Ewing in "Dallas" and Alex Cahill in "Walker, Texas Ranger." Wilson reprised the latter role in the television film "Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire." She also appeared in "Easy Rider: The Ride Back," a prequel to the New Hollywood classic "Easy Rider," starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. Wilson also served as producer of the movie. Her most recent screen appearance was in the 2022 drama "Flip Turn."

Omri Katz appeared on "Dallas" as John "Ross" Ewing III. Since the show's cancellation, he appeared in other television series, including "Eerie, Indiana," and "Zorro." However, his most famous role since "Dallas" was in Disney's "Hocus Pocus." This family comedy about a trio of fictional Salem witches has become a Halloween staple. In a 2022 Entertainment Weekly interview, Katz said he was often high while making "Hocus Pocus." Katz was not asked to return for "Hocus Pocus 2," but he was happy to see Disney continue the original film's storyline.