William Beckley

The role for which British-born actor William Beckley is best-known is that of Gerard, the Carringtons' butler on "Dynasty." He tended to the needs of the characters played by John Forsythe and Linda Evans from 1982 to 1989 and again in a '91 reunion TV movie. Producer Aaron Spelling was always recognized for his astute eye for casting, and the "Dynasty" run for Beckley came on the heels of the actor's use in several other popular Spelling shows. Beckley appeared in a '76 episode of "Charlie's Angels" and played Barnaby Jeffers a few years later for a guest appearance on "Fantasy Island." Beckley persevered through several decades of sporadic work before landing his career-defining role on "Dynasty." Before that role, though, Beckley found work on the detective series "Barnaby Jones," starring Buddy Ebsen; during the '70s, Beckley popped up in four episodes in four different roles, (including "Bartender" and "Bell Captain").