Back in the 1980s, this actress was a familiar face on one of the decade’s most popular soap operas, sharing the screen with a true television legend. Now 64, she later went on to portray one of the world’s most beloved royals — but would you recognise her today?
The actress is Catherine Oxenberg, best known for her role on the hit 80s soap Dynasty.
Catherine enjoyed a high-profile career from an early age, and fame wasn’t entirely new to her. She is the daughter of Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, giving her genuine royal lineage. Through her family ties, King Charles is her second cousin, while Prince William is her third cousin.
Her royal background even influenced her acting work. In 1982, Catherine starred in the TV movie The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana, taking on the role of the late Princess Diana.
This week, the actress was spotted in a rare public appearance in Los Angeles, where she appeared almost unrecognisable. Dressed casually for a walk with a friend, Catherine opted for black capri pants and a long-sleeved grey top. She tied a windbreaker jacket around her slim waist and wore her long hair pulled back into a high ponytail.
Catherine rose to fame after landing the role of Amanda Carrington on Dynasty in 1984. On the hugely successful series, she played the on-screen daughter of Joan Collins’ iconic character, Alexis Carrington. She appeared in 54 episodes before leaving the show two years later, reportedly due to contractual disagreements, and was later replaced by Karen Cellini.
She continued working steadily in television, making appearances on shows such as The Love Boat and Baywatch. In 1999, she met her future husband, actor Casper Van Dien, while filming the TV movie The Collectors.
Beyond acting, Catherine’s life took a dramatic turn when she became involved in rescuing her daughter from the NXIVM cult. She later chronicled the ordeal in her book Captive, detailing how her daughter India was drawn into the group and its secret sex-trafficking division.
In 2018, Catherine successfully helped free her daughter, and cult leader Keith Raniere was later sentenced to 120 years in prison. Today, India has rebuilt her life and is now married with a child.
