What happened to the cast of The Thorn Birds? From the lovebirds who have enjoyed a 40-year marriage and life on an Australian farm to the star who became a Hollywood heartthrob

The Thorn Birds was a hugely popular miniseries from the 1980s, earning 16 Emmy nominations and winning six awards.

At the time, this show was the second most popular miniseries, telling the story of the Cleary family over four decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s.

The story, originally a 1977 novel by Colleen McCullough, centers on the Cleary family’s move from New Zealand to Australia. They travel to the remote outback to assist their aunt, Mary Carson, with managing her large ranch.

The story quickly shifts to a romantic entanglement when Meggie, played by Rachel Ward, becomes caught between two love interests: Father Ralph, portrayed by Richard Chamberlain, and Luke, played by Bryan.

Most notably the series led to Bryan and Rachel’s marriage after they also hit it off in real life.

The two of them still live in Australia, while the rest of the cast remains in the United States.

Most of the original actors have sadly passed away, including Richard Chamberlain, who died last March at the age of 90.

We take a look back at the members of the much-loved cast.

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown – Meghan ‘Meggie’ Cleary and Luke O’Neill

The most memorable romance from ‘The Thorn Birds’ wasn’t just in the story – the actors who played Rachel and Bryan, have been happily married for over 40 years themselves.

In the well-known miniseries, Rachel’s character, Meggie, was involved in a love triangle with Luke. The actors playing them also had a strong connection, admitting they felt an immediate physical attraction to each other, which was a key part of their initial bond.

The couple married quickly after they met and later had three children: Rosie, Matilda, and Joseph. They are now also proud grandparents to Matilda’s children, Zan and Anouk.

Now based on their beef cattle farm in the Nambucca Valley, Rachel also runs Farmthru, a business focused on ethical meat production.

I’ve been so inspired watching Rachel! After decades as an actress, she’s completely dedicated herself to transforming her farm. She’s moving away from traditional methods and embracing regenerative farming, and she documented the whole incredible process in a documentary called ‘Rachel’s Farm.’ It’s truly amazing to see her passion and commitment.

Bryan, now 78, continued acting in films like Cocktail, Two Hands, Darby and Joan, and most recently, Anyone But You.

He has also written his debut novel, a crime thriller called The Drowning.

Richard Chamberlain – Father Ralph de Bricassart

Richard Chamberlain, who played Father Ralph—the third point in Meggie and Luke’s love story—passed away in March 2025.

Oh my gosh, Richard Chamberlain! I still remember when he first burst onto the scene as Dr. Kildare – total heartthrob status! And it wasn’t just a flash in the pan, you know? He kept delivering amazing performances, like in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. Seriously, that man just captivated everyone! I’ve been a fan ever since, and it’s amazing he even got an Emmy nomination – totally deserved!

I’m absolutely heartbroken. Richard… he passed away in Hawaii, a stroke was the cause, apparently. Martin, his partner of so many years, told everyone he’s ‘with the angels now,’ and honestly, that’s exactly how I always thought of him – a beautiful, radiant soul. It just doesn’t seem real.

He’s now at peace and reunited with those he loved who passed before him. We were so fortunate to have known such a kind and wonderful person. Though he’s gone, the love we shared will always remain, and it’s that love that carries him forward on his next journey.

This actor became known as the ‘king of the mini-series’ after starring in many popular TV dramas during the 1980s. He also received critical acclaim for his stage performances, playing diverse roles like Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, and both Hamlet and Richard II by Shakespeare.

He also was the original Jason Bourne in the 1988 mini-series The Bourne Identity.

Richard Chamberlain earned Golden Globe Awards for his roles in both ‘Shogun’ and ‘The Thorn Birds.’ He had previously won one for his work on ‘Dr. Kildare’.

He primarily played romantic heroes in films, and because of this, he waited until he was 68 to share that he was gay with the public.

He explained to the New York Times in 2014 that growing up gay during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s felt hopeless. He believed something was deeply wrong with him, and even achieving fame didn’t change that feeling.

Jean Simmons – Fiona ‘Fee’ Cleary

Oh my gosh, Jean Simmons! She was just incredible. I mean, seriously, for almost fifteen years she was the British actress everyone was talking about. It all started with Great Expectations back in ’46 – she played Estella, and honestly, that role launched her career. I still remember being completely captivated by her!

In 1948, she played Ophelia in the film Hamlet, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Oh my gosh, after 1950, she completely took Hollywood by storm! I mean, she was in ‘Guys and Dolls,’ ‘The Robe,’ ‘Spartacus’… seriously, all the classics! And ‘The Happy Ending’ too – it was just one amazing film after another. I still watch them all the time!

She also won an Emmy Award for her role as Fee Cleary in The Thorn Birds.

Jean went through two marriages and divorces. She first married Stewart Granger at the young age of 21, and they had a daughter named Tracy together.

Following her divorce in 1960, she married director Richard Brooks, and they had a daughter, Kate, in 1961. That marriage ended in divorce in 1980.

In 2003 she received an OBE for her services to acting in the New Years Honours.

Jean sadly died in 2010 from lung cancer at age 80.

Barbara Stanwyck – Mary Carson

Barbara Stanwyck received an Emmy Award for playing Mary Carson in the miniseries The Thorn Birds. She filmed the role only seven years before her death.

Throughout her 38-year film career, she appeared in 86 movies before transitioning to television. She received many awards, including three Emmys, a Golden Globe, and four Academy Award nominations.

She was best known for her performances in films like Stella Dallas, Ball of Fire, and The Lady Eve.

By 1944, she was the highest-earning actress in America, having earned her third Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in the film Double Indemnity.

In addition to her other accolades, she was honored with an Honorary Oscar in 1982 and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1986. She also received numerous lifetime achievement awards throughout her career.

Barbara passed away in 1990 at the age of 82 from heart failure and a long-term lung condition.

She always said she didn’t want a funeral, and I completely respected that. Instead, her final wish was honored beautifully – her ashes were scattered from a helicopter over Lone Pine, California. That place meant so much to her; she filmed so many of her iconic Westerns there, and it felt like the perfect place for her to rest.

Ken Howard – Rainer Hartheim

Ken Howard, a veteran actor known for his work in television, theater, and film, died in 2016 at the age of 71, following a career that spanned over forty years.

Though he became famous for playing Coolidge in the TV series The White Shadow, his acting career began with a film appearance alongside Liza Minnelli in Tell Me That You Love Me back in 1970. He later starred in popular movies like Rambo, In Her Shoes, and Michael Clayton.

Oh my gosh, and get this – he starred WITH Sandra Bullock in ‘The Net’ back in ’95! Seriously, Sandra Bullock! It was this amazing cyber-thriller, and seeing them together was just… everything. I’ve watched that movie a million times, just to see him, of course!

In 2009, he received an Emmy Award for his work in HBO’s Grey Gardens. He also won a Tony Award for his performance in Robert Marasco’s play, Child’s Play, which centered on life at a Catholic boarding school.

In 2009, Ken became president of the Screen Actors Guild and played a key role in its 2012 combination with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Mare Winningham – Justine ‘Jussy’ O’Neill

Following her role in The Thorn Birds, Mare achieved significant success in her career. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and received nominations for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Tony Awards.

She won an Emmy Award for her supporting role in ‘Amber Waves’ in 1980 and another for ‘George Wallace’ in 1998. She also earned a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway play ‘Casa Valentina’.

She appeared on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006 to 2007 as Susan Grey, Meredith Grey’s stepmother. She also played Cherry Lockhart, the mother of Cole Lockhart, on The Affair from 2014 to 2018, appearing in seasons one, two, and four.

Off-screen, Mare is married to actor Anthony Edwards. The couple actually eloped—they secretly got married in 2021.

The couple first became well-known for appearing together in the 1988 thriller, Miracle Mile. They were friends for a long time before their relationship became romantic.

Mare and Adolfo Martinez were briefly married, but their marriage ended before the end of 1981, lasting less than a year.

I was so thrilled when she married William Mapel! They seemed perfect together and quickly started a family, having five wonderful children. Sadly, things didn’t last, and they divorced in 1996, which was really heartbreaking to see.

The performer started dating Jason Trucco and they married in 2008, but divorced four years later.

Piper Laurie – Anne Mueller

It was so sad to hear about the passing of Piper Laurie, the wonderful actress who played Anne Mueller. She was 91 years old and had been dealing with some health challenges for a while. She’ll be deeply missed, of course, but her work will live on. As someone who appreciates timeless style and grace, I always admired her presence on screen.

The actress was most famous for playing Margaret White, the unsettling mother of the main character, in the film Carrie.

Piper’s acting performance received an Academy Award nomination and unexpectedly launched a new phase of her career. At the time, she was a stay-at-home mom in upstate New York, having stopped acting for ten years.

She started her acting career at age 17 with a role in a production of Louisa, playing President Reagan’s daughter. She then gained recognition appearing alongside the famous talking mule, Francis, in Francis Goes to the Races. Over the years, she starred in several movies with Tony Curtis, whom she also briefly dated, including The Prince Who Was a Thief, No Room for the Groom, Son of Ali Baba, and Johnny Dark.

I was absolutely shocked when she just walked away from a hugely successful contract – she was making $2,000 a week back in 1955! But she was so determined. She decided she wouldn’t work at all unless she got a role she truly believed in, a part that actually deserved her talent. It was a bold move, but I admired her for sticking to her principles.

Oh, and then she married Joe Morgenstern, the film critic – can you believe it? It was perfect! They had a beautiful daughter, Ann Grace, and then they moved upstate, to a farmhouse in Woodstock! A FARMHOUSE! It was like something out of a movie, honestly. I was so jealous of that life!

She stepped away from acting for more than ten years to focus on raising her family, then returned to film and television in the mid-1970s.

Richard Kiley – Padraic “Paddy” Cleary

Richard Kiley, a highly respected and talented actor known for his work on stage, died in 1999 at the age of 76.

While many remember him from The Thorn Birds, he was most celebrated for his work on stage, earning two Tony Awards for his performances in musicals.

He was the first to play Don Quixote in the Broadway hit Man of La Mancha, and throughout his career, he received four Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

He also starred in Kismet, No Strings, Redhead and The Incomparable Max.

I was heartbroken to learn of Richard’s passing. He succumbed to a bone marrow illness just weeks before he was set to celebrate another birthday. It felt like the whole of Broadway mourned with us, dimming its lights as a final, beautiful tribute to a truly special talent.

He was survived by his wife Patricia Ferrier and six children from his first marriage.

Earl Holliman – Luddie Mueller

Earl Holliman’s career spanned over five decades until his death at the age of 96 in 2024.

I’ll never forget his incredible talent! He really shone in so many roles, but for me, his performance in The Rainmaker (1956) always stands out. He won a Golden Globe for playing Katharine Hepburn’s charming and goofy brother, and it was just perfect – he completely stole the show!

He won the Best Supporting Actor award for playing Jim Curry, a role he secured after competing with Elvis Presley for the part.

He became widely known in the 1970s for his role on the popular crime show Police Woman (1974), where he played the strong and direct boss of Angie Dickinson’s character. This part helped introduce him to a new generation of television viewers and remains one of his most memorable performances.

Earl became a Hollywood legend and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977, ensuring he’d be remembered forever in the world of entertainment.

Philip Anglim – Dane O’Neill

Philip Anglim appeared as Dane O’Neill in a miniseries, but he’s most famous for playing John Merrick in productions of The Elephant Man on both stage and television.

He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance and later starred as Macbeth on Broadway.

Philip used the money he made from his book, Thorn Birds, to purchase a farm in Tennessee. He once shared that he found great joy in simple farm work, saying he could be ‘up to his elbows in manure and be very happy’.

Not much is publicly known about his private life. He was once married to a woman he met at Yale, but they eventually divorced.

2026-01-13 18:43