The mini-series makes a major plot change from the original novel. In the book, Julie Prescott is a minor character who briefly dates Rudy. Her story is actually that of Gretchen Jordache, Rudy and Tommy's sister, who does not appear at all in the mini-series.
Although he had been a working actor for years prior to this production, Nick Nolte became a star after appearing in this very popular mini-series. In fact, the network wanted his character to appear in the sequel they were planning and Nolte refused to alter the story to make that possible. Peter Strauss also became an in-demand actor after this project.
Nick Nolte said that when he played a young man in the early scenes of the project, he weighed about 160 pounds. When he played a middle aged man in the later scenes, he weighed over 180 pounds.
Don Johnson, a good friend of Nick Nolte and his co-star in Louca Perseguição (1975) auditioned for the role of 'Rudy Jordache'.
Alex North's main opening theme originally appeared in the 1956 Clark Gable film "The King and Four Queens."