​The Thorn Birds, an American television miniseries broadcast on ABC from March 27 to 30, 1983, captivated audiences with its epic narrative spanning several decades.

Warner Bros. Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Based on Colleen McCullough’s 1977 novel, the series delved into the complex relationships within the Cleary family against the backdrop of the Australian Outback. Its compelling storytelling and stellar cast contributed to its status as the second most-watched miniseries in U.S. television history at the time, following Roots. Following its success, a sequel miniseries was released in 1996 called The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years, catching up with some of the characters during the nineteen-year time gap. Have you ever wondered what some of its main stars are up to now? Let’s find out who is still alive and sadly, who has since passed away.

Richard Chamberlain (Ralph de Bricassart)

George Richard Chamberlain, born on March 31, 1934, first gained fame as the titular character in the television series Dr. Kildare (1961–1966). During that time, he also tried his hand at a singing career, releasing several hits including the theme song for Dr. Kildare. He further solidified his status as the “King of the Mini-Series” with notable roles in Shōgun (1980) and The Thorn Birds. Chamberlain’s career also includes portraying Aramis in The Three Musketeers and Allan Quatermain in King Solomon’s Mines (1985) and its sequel. In later years, he continued to showcase his versatility with appearances in television series such as Desperate Housewives, Chuck and Brothers & Sisters. More recently, Chamberlain took on the role of Bill Kennedy in an episode of Twin Peaks (2017) and played Dr. Leener in the horror film Nightmare Cinema (2018).

Rachel Ward (Meggie Cleary)

Born September 12, 1957, in Oxfordshire, England, Ward gained early fame as a model, appearing on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s & Queen, and Cosmopolitan. She transitioned to acting in the late ’70s, moving to the U.S., where she starred in commercials before landing film roles. Her breakthrough came with Sharky’s Machine (1981), starring Burt Reynolds, followed by Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982). Following The Thorn Birds, Ward starred in Against All Odds (1984) and Fortress (1985) before briefly stepping away from acting to refine her craft. Later, she earned another Golden Globe nomination for On the Beach (2000). Her 2009 directorial debut, Beautiful Kate, premiered at the Sydney Film Festival. Beyond film, Ward has been active in social justice causes, advocating for at-risk youth. She was honored as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for her humanitarian efforts. Ward has been married to her Thorn Birds costar Bryan Brown since 1983, and they have three children.

Bryan Brown (Luke O’Neill)

He was born June 23, 1947 and initially worked as an actuarial student at AMP before discovering his passion for acting through amateur theatre. Brown’s career began in the 1970s with roles in Australian films but his breakthrough came with Breaker Morant (1980). A few years later, The Thorn Birds earned him nominations for both a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, he starred in notable films like F/X (1986) and its sequel F/X2 (1991), Tai-Pan (1986), Cocktail (1988) alongside Tom Cruise, and Gorillas in the Mist (1988) with Sigourney Weaver. He continued his career with roles in Along Came Polly (2004) and Gods of Egypt (2016).  In 2005, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to film and television, and in 2013, the Bryan Brown Theatre & Function Centre in Bankstown was named in his honor. In addition to acting, he has written crime novels, including Sweet Jimmy and The Drowning. He married Ward in 1983, and they have three children. It was love at first sight for the two who met on the set of The Thorn Birds and reportedly, he read her palm and predicted she would have three children.

Mare Winningham (Justine O’Neill)

Born on May 16, 1959, she has had a prolific career in film and television, with notable roles in St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Miracle Mile (1988), Turner & Hooch (1989), Georgia (1995) and Hatfields & McCoys (2012). She has also appeared in American Horror Story for four seasons. She has received two Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards and two Tony Awards. Winningham also recorded multiple albums and continues to be an active presence in both acting and music. She has been married four times, including to William Mapel, with whom she had five children. In late 2021, she eloped with longtime friend and fellow actor Anthony Edwards.

Philip Anglim (Dane O’Neill)

Warner Bros. Television/Courtesy Everett Collection

Anglim graduated from Yale University in 1973 with a degree in English literature and honed his craft at the Southbury Playhouse in Connecticut. His feature film debut was in The All-American Boy (1973), followed by a television appearance in PBS’s The Adams Chronicles (1976). In 1979, he brought The Elephant Man to the U.S., performing off-Broadway before its successful run at The Booth Theatre on Broadway. Anglim also starred as Macbeth on Broadway in 1981 and reprised the role in a 1982 television adaptation. He is also known for his recurring portrayal of Vedek Bareil Antos on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Beyond acting, Anglim maintains a cattle farm in Tennessee and, in 1992, founded The Lewis County Children’s Fund to support local children.

Sadly, here are the main stars who have since passed away:

Warner Bros. Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Barbara Stanwyck (Mary Carson) passed away on January 20, 1990, at the age of 82. ​
Christopher Plummer (Archbishop Vittorio di Contini-Verchese) passed away on February 5, 2021, at the age of 91.​
Jean Simmons (Fee Cleary) passed away on January 22, 2010, at the age of 80.
Richard Kiley (Paddy Cleary) passed away on March 5, 1999, at the age of 76.​
Piper Laurie (Anne Mueller) passed away on October 14, 2023, at the age of 91.​
Ken Howard (Rainer Hartheim) passed away on March 23, 2016 at the age of 71.
Earl Holliman (Luddie Mueller) passed away on November 25, 2024 at the age of 96.