Rich Man, Poor Man miniseries: cast, story and where it stands
The 1976 ABC drama paired Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte as brothers on diverging paths. Here is the cast, original run and streaming status.
By Sofia Marchetti · Columnist
· 2 min read
Rich Man, Poor Man miniseries most often refers to ABC’s 1976 drama, rather than the similarly named Adam Carolla comedy bit cited in a recent investing post. For viewers looking up the title, it is a family saga adapted from Irwin Shaw’s 1969 novel, following the Jordaches from the years after World War II into the late 1960s.
The series centers on two brothers whose lives head in different directions. Peter Strauss plays Rudy Jordache, while Nick Nolte plays Tom Jordache. Susan Blakely co-stars as Julie Prescott. Rotten Tomatoes describes the setup as two sons of an immigrant father taking different paths, and TV Guide similarly frames the story around the Jordache family’s struggles across the postwar period.
What is the Rich Man, Poor Man miniseries about?
The drama tracks the Jordache family over multiple decades, with Rudy and Tom at its center. According to the series description published by Wikipedia, Rudy becomes an ambitious entrepreneur, while Tom eventually supports himself through boxing. That broad premise is the useful starting point for a title whose story stretches well beyond a single event or period.
Rich Man, Poor Man premiered on ABC on Feb. 1, 1976, and its original run ended March 15, according to Wikipedia. It was directed by David Greene and Boris Sagal, with Harve Bennett serving as executive producer, listings from Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia show.
Who starred in Rich Man, Poor Man?
- Peter Strauss as Rudy Jordache
- Nick Nolte as Tom Jordache
- Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott
- Ed Asner as Axel Jordache
- Dorothy McGuire as Mary Jordache
The miniseries received four Primetime Emmy Awards, according to IMDb and Wikipedia. TV Guide also lists it as the winner of the 1977 Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Drama.
The story continued in Rich Man, Poor Man Book II, a sequel that Wikipedia says aired from September 1976 through March 1977.
Where can Rich Man, Poor Man be streamed?
Availability needs a date check before making viewing plans. When TV Guide’s listing was retrieved, it said the program was not currently available to stream. That listing should be treated as a snapshot rather than a guarantee of availability in every region.
Viewers should also be careful with searches for the title. A Wealth of Common Sense used “Rich Man, Poor Man” in August 2026 to discuss an Adam Carolla routine and draw comparisons between wealthy and less-wealthy investors. That is a separate reference from the ABC miniseries.
This story draws on original reporting from A Wealth of Common Sense.
