Those Glamorous Ladies of the 1980s

If you were around in the 1980s, you know the decade belonged to the fabulous women who ruled our TV screens—and our imaginations. Bold, beautiful, and brimming with attitude, these iconic ladies turned prime-time drama into high art. With sky-high hair, fierce fashion (hello, shoulder pads!), and unforgettable one-liners, they weren’t just characters—they were events.

Think Cybill Shepherd lighting up Moonlighting, Joan Collins scheming her way through Dynasty, and Morgan Fairchild heating up Flamingo Road.

I recently had the thrill of chatting with one of these dazzling divas—Leigh Taylor-Young—on my podcast Hollywood Obsessed.

In two brand-new back-to-back episodes (125 & 126), Leigh opens up about her deliciously devious turn as Kimberly Cryder on Dallas (where she gave J.R. Ewing a run for his money), her hilariously messy food fight in Secret Admirer (1985), and her Emmy-winning role on Picket Fences. From cult sci-fi like Looker (1981) to legal thrillers like Jagged Edge (1985), Leigh’s filmography is a treasure map of 1980s pop culture.

So in honor of Leigh’s fabulous visit and her unforgettable run on Dallas, let’s take a glitzy stroll down memory lane and celebrate the sensational women who made the ’80s sparkle.

Are you ready to dive in? Buckle up, darling—it’s going to be a fabulous ride.

**************************************************

Linda Evans – The Graceful Heart of Dynasty

In the high-drama world of 1980s primetime, few stars embodied glamour and grace like Linda Evans. As Krystle Carrington on Dynasty, she captivated audiences with elegance, vulnerability, and surprising strength. Her character’s battles—both emotional and physical—with Joan Collins’ Alexis Colby became iconic. With a Golden Globe win and multiple Emmy nominations, Evans turned Krystle into a television legend. 

What made Evans so compelling wasn’t just her beauty—though she was often cited as one of the most stunning women on television—it was her ability to project both kindness and quiet strength. Krystle may have looked like a fairytale princess, but when pushed, she proved she could throw down with the fiercest of 80s divas. To this day, Linda Evans remains an enduring symbol of elegance, resilience, and timeless television royalty.

Joan Collins – The Queen of Couture and Chaos

Joan Collins didn’t just play Alexis Colby—she was Alexis Colby. With sharp wit, ruthless ambition, and power-shouldered couture, she defined what it meant to be a primetime villainess. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination and turned Dynasty into a cultural juggernaut. Whether she was throwing drinks, delivering devastating one-liners, or storming into a courtroom in full couture, Joan made soap opera history—and proved that being bad never looked so good.

Now in her 90s, Joan Collins remains as glamorous and sharp as ever—and to this day, we still can’t get enough of the most iconic TV villainess of them all.

Cybill Shepherd – The Smart, Sexy Star of Moonlighting

Cybill Shepherd brought brains, beauty, and biting humor to Moonlighting as Maddie Hayes, opposite a rising Bruce Willis. With her icy blonde looks and flawless comedic timing, she redefined the female TV lead. The show’s fast-paced banter and genre-blending style helped launch the “dramedy” trend—and earned Shepherd two Golden Globes. 

Even though off-camera tensions eventually contributed to Moonlighting's cancellation, Cybill’s legacy as one of TV’s most glamorous, sharp-tongued, and unforgettable leading ladies endures. Decades later, we still remember her as the ultimate 1980s glamour queen—with attitude, elegance, and staying power.

Delta Burke – The Southern Belle with a Stiletto Tongue

As Suzanne Sugarbaker on Designing Women, Delta Burke served pageant queen glamor with Southern sass. Whether sparring with her sister Julia or delivering show-stopping monologues, Suzanne was always the center of attention.

Burke earned two Emmy nominations and became the breakout star of the show. Her blend of elegance, vulnerability, and comedic firepower made her one of the most beloved stars of the decade. She wasn’t just a sitcom star—she was a larger-than-life presence who defined 1980s glamour with every strut, smirk, and funny Suzanne Sugarbaker quip.

Leigh Taylor-Young – The Sophisticated Schemer on Dallas

Leigh Taylor-Young’s turn as Kimberly Cryder on Dallas added a new level of class and cunning to the show’s oil-soaked drama. Her character’s steamy affair with J.R. Ewing and manipulative tactics to gain power at Westar made her a standout even among the show’s famously larger-than-life personalities. With her serene poise and smoldering intensity, she matched J.R. move for manipulative move.

Catch my exclusive two-part interview with Leigh in Episodes 125 & 126 of the Hollywood Obsessed podcast—packed with behind-the-scenes stories, career reflections, and a whole lot of 1980s glam.

Stephanie Beacham – The British Bombshell with Bite

Stephanie Beacham brought aristocratic cool to American TV as Sable Colby in The Colbys and later Dynasty. Armed with biting wit and flawless fashion, she was a standout in every scene—especially when going toe-to-toe with Joan Collins in the ultimate diva showdown. With her signature patrician poise and smoldering screen presence, Beacham gave Sable a depth and glamour that no one else could have delivered—and proved that when it came to prime-time drama, British class could outmatch American sass.

She wasn’t just fabulous—she was fierce, refined, and ready for battle.

Diahann Carroll – The Groundbreaking Glamour of Dominique Deveraux

As the first major Black character on a primetime soap, Diahann Carroll’s Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty made history. Stylish, smart, and bold, Dominique wasn’t just a match for Alexis—she often outclassed her. Carroll brought depth, power, and dazzling elegance to every moment she was onscreen—and changed the face of television in the process. 

She was one of the most glamorous women of the 1980s and one of the most important, unforgettable icons of her time.

Linda Gray – The Sizzling Soul of Dallas

Linda Gray’s portrayal of Sue Ellen Ewing was nothing short of spectacular. What started as a minor role evolved into one of the most complex characters on Dallas, thanks to Gray’s riveting performance. Poised, vulnerable, and full of fire, Sue Ellen was a woman scorned—but never silenced. Gray earned Emmy and Golden Globe nods, becoming one of the most celebrated women of '80s TV. 

Through decades of drama, fashion, and fierce one-liners, Linda Gray will forever be remembered as one of the 1980s’ most divine divas and an enduring legend of the small screen.

Donna Mills – The Immaculate Vixen of Knots Landing

As Abby Cunningham on Knots Landing, Donna Mills gave us nine seasons of irresistible bad behavior. With her icy stare and designer wardrobe, Abby was the ultimate soap vixen—ambitious, unapologetic, and unforgettable. Mills won three Soap Opera Digest Awards and redefined what a female antagonist could be: powerful, polished, and in control. 

Even decades later, Donna Mills’ Abby remains a pop culture icon, and a dazzling symbol of 1980s television glamour at its fiercest.

Morgan Fairchild – The Blonde Bombshell of Primetime

No one epitomized 1980s TV glamour quite like Morgan Fairchild. She rose to prominence in the early '80s with her breakout role as the sultry Constance Weldon Carlyle in Flamingo Road, earning a Golden Globe nomination and solidifying her image as the ultimate “rich bitch” of primetime. With unforgettable roles in soapy drama series like Paper Dolls and Falcon Crest, she brought elegance, confidence, and drama to every scene.

Even when her shows were short-lived, Fairchild’s image endured. From red carpets to magazine covers, she was the era—flawless, fabulous, and forever iconic.

**************************************************

Don’t miss listening to Leigh Taylor-Young on the Hollywood Obsessed Podcast! This two-part conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes gems, Hollywood memories, and heartfelt reflections from a truly glamorous actress of the 1980s.

Episode 125 – Listen HERE 

Episode 126 – Listen HERE 

Like what you read? Be sure to subscribe to Hollywood Obsessed wherever you get your podcasts—and stay tuned for more glam-filled trips down TV’s most fabulous memory lanes!