#5: Larry Riley’s Hiatus Revealed a Shocking Real-Life Health Battle
When Knots Landing returned in February 1992 after a five-month hiatus, viewers were stunned by Larry Riley’s dramatically thinner, haggard appearance. After five years on the show, the change was impossible to miss and sparked immediate concern.
Riley later explained he had lost eighty pounds, dropping from 220, due to serious kidney trouble linked to high blood pressure. He revealed he would need dialysis for the rest of his life. It was a sobering reminder that behind Knots Landing’s glossy drama, real-life struggles were unfolding for its cast.