'Thorn Birds' Cast: What Happened To Them?

The Thorn Birds cast stunned audiences in this award-winning Australian-American miniseries from 1983 and it takes place at the beginning of the 20th century in Australia. Four episodes of the series were produced and first broadcast on ABC in 1983. The Thorn Birds won six Emmy Awards and seven Golden Globes in 1984.

In The Thorn Birds, Richard Chamberlain portrayed "Father Ralph de Bricassart," who is banished to the Australian outback. There he befriends the owner of a large sheep farm, "Mary Carson". The series revolves around the forbidden relationship between "Father Ralph" and "Meggie Cleary", the niece of "Mary Carson". "Father Ralph" has to choose between his love for "Meggie" and that for the church— his devotion to God wins in the end. But their paths cross again and again...

Richard Chamberlain (84) celebrated his first successes already during the 1970's. His big breakthrough came with The Thorn Birds. In 1995 he appeared again in the sequel The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years. Chamberlain also starred in many musicals and had engagements on Broadway. In his acting career, he won three Golden Globes, including one for The Thorn Birds.

Rachel Ward had her breakthrough as "Meggie" in The Thorn Birds.

Rachel Ward (59) was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of "Meggie Cleary" and really celebrated her breakthrough with The Thorn Birds. Today, Ward works as a Director, screenwriter and actress.

The Australian actor Bryan Brown played "Luke O'Neill," a worker from the sheep farm who later marries "Meggie".

But "Luke" only married "Meggie" for her estate and her family's money. Their relationship is never really heartwarming or emotional, but rather cold and distant— he senses her secret longing for "Father Ralph".

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown got to know each other and fell in love on the set of the miniseries. They were married in 1983 and have three children. Bryan Brown starred in countless films and TV series. He also appeared alongside Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman in the movie Australia. Most recently, he starred in Palm Beach.

Hollywood legend Barbara Stanwyck portrayed the landowner "Mary Carson" on The Thorn Birds. Barbara Stanwyck died on January 20th, 1990 at the age of 82. The actress was nominated for an Oscar four times during her career and won the Academy's Honorary Award in 1981 "for superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting." She also won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance in The Thorn Birds.

In The Thorn Birds, Ken Howard played the character of "Rainer Hartheim". Unfortunately, the actor died in 2016 at the age of 72. Before his death, he had last appeared in the movie Joy alongside Jennifer Lawrence. He was also featured in shows like 30 Rock, Blue Bloods, and The Young and the Restless.