More than 30 years after Knots Landing aired its final episode, the stars of the beloved primetime soap have taken remarkably different paths.
The long-running Dallas spin-off captivated audiences for 14 seasons between 1979 and 1993, following the intertwined lives, loves and scandals of neighbours living in a quiet California cul-de-sac. A reunion miniseries, Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac, followed in 1997, giving fans one final visit with their favourite characters.
While some cast members continued thriving in Hollywood, others stepped away from the spotlight altogether, with one becoming a therapist and another making headlines by joining OnlyFans at 85.
Join HELLO! as we look at what happened to the stars of Knots Landing.
Michele Lee
As Karen Fairgate MacKenzie, Michele Lee became the only cast member to appear in all 344 episodes of the series.
After Knots Landing, she continued acting with roles in Along Came Polly, Will & Grace and See Dad Run. In 2025, she reunited with former co-stars Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills to launch the We're Knot Done Yet podcast, giving fans behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic soap.
Away from acting, Michele married producer Fred Rappoport in 1987 after divorcing actor James Farentino, with whom she shares son David.
Ted Shackelford
Ted Shackelford's Gary Ewing became one of television's most recognisable soap characters, having first appeared on Dallas before leading the spin-off.
Following Knots Landing, he joined The Young and the Restless, playing twin brothers William and Jeffrey Bardwell from 2006 until 2015. He also reprised Gary in TNT's Dallas revival in 2013.
Ted has been married to his wife, Annett Wolf, since 1991.
Joan Van Ark
Joan Van Ark's portrayal of Valene Ewing made her one of the defining faces of both Dallas and Knots Landing.
Following the series finale, she continued acting with appearances on The Young and the Restless and the 2013 Dallas reboot. Today, she also co-hosts the We're Knot Done Yet podcast alongside Michele Lee and Donna Mills.
Reflecting on her on-screen partnership with Ted Shackelford earlier this year, Joan said: "It was a marriage made in heaven. I love him so much."
Donna Mills
Donna Mills remains one of the show's biggest success stories.
After playing the unforgettable Abby Cunningham, the actress stepped away from Hollywood for almost two decades to raise her adopted daughter, Chloe, whom she welcomed in 1994 when she was 54.
She later returned with roles in General Hospital and Jordan Peele's Nope before making headlines once again in 2026 by joining OnlyFans at the age of 85.
"For me, it's just one more way to spend quality time with the people who've made my career possible," she said.
Kevin Dobson
Kevin Dobson joined the series in season four as Patrick "Mack" MacKenzie and quickly became a fan favourite.
Following Knots Landing, he appeared in The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of Our Lives before his death in September 2020 from complications related to an autoimmune deficiency.
Donna Mills paid tribute at the time, describing him as "one of the truly good guys in the business."
William Devane
William Devane's career barely slowed after playing powerful businessman Greg Sumner.
The veteran actor went on to star in blockbuster films including The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar, while television audiences recognised him from 24 and more recently Bosch: Legacy.
Nicollette Sheridan
Nicollette Sheridan reinvented herself for a new generation of viewers as the unforgettable Edie Britt in Desperate Housewives.
Following her controversial exit from the series, she filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against creator Marc Cherry and ABC, which was ultimately dismissed in 2017.
She later joined the cast of Netflix's Dynasty, portraying Alexis Carrington between 2018 and 2019.
Constance McCashin
Constance McCashin's post-Knots Landing career took perhaps the most unexpected turn.
After leaving the series when her character Laura Sumner died from a brain tumour, she returned to university, earning master's degrees in psychology and social work.
Today, she works as a licensed therapist in private practice in Massachusetts, helping clients far removed from the world of Hollywood.
Kim Lankford
Kim Lankford played Ginger Ward during the show's early years before leaving after season four.
Although she continued acting in series including Cheers, Chicago Hope and The Love Boat, she has spoken candidly about the disappointment of leaving the soap.
"There is the heartbreak when something that you think is going to move forward and develop is just cut short," she reflected during a 2025 interview. "I always loved going to work. I loved everything about the show."
