She Played Daisy Duke on The Dukes Of Hazzard. See Catherine Bach Now at 69 - Van Life Wanderer (2024)

Catherine Bach was one of the most alluring stars of a prior generation. She was known for her stunning beauty and leading role in the Dukes Of Hazzard TV series, which aired from 1979-1985. It was a fast-paced, entertaining show that kept the audience laughing and coming back for more.

Bach’s physical features were so intertwined with her fame that she actually insured her legs for $1 million. Over and above her highly valued lower extremities, she’s had an interesting life.

Background Information

Catherine Bachman’s story begins on March 1, 1954. She was born in Warren, Ohio. Her and her brother Philip were raised by parents Bernard Bachman and Norma Jean Kucera Verdugo.

Her life may have begun in Ohio, but she spent her formative years growing up on a ranch in South Dakota. It is possible that if she listened to her mother, Bach may have gone down a very different career path. Verdugo had allegedly encouraged her daughter to get into an educational field to become a teacher.

Catherine Bach went to Stevens High School, and had a decision to make after she graduated. Her next move would help chart the course for the rest of her life. She decided to go to UCLA for college, and she would major in drama.

A lot of successful acting stories begin with young people putting down roots in Los Angeles, and Bach made a wise choice in that regard. Her first credited role came in a 1974 movie called The Midnight Man, where she played the part of Natalie Claybourne.

She would have other credits in the mid to latter part of the decade, mostly in TV series or TV movies.

Dukes Of Hazzard

Bach’s big break would take place in 1979, when she landed the part of a lifetime. She was cast as Daisy Duke, who was the gorgeous cousin of fellow main characters Bo and Luke Duke. The triumvirate, along with their mischievous friends and family, would often find themselves getting in and out of trouble on the show. Their activities would sometimes get the attention of the county commissioner and county sheriff, who the Dukes wanted no part in dealing with.

Despite her involvement in some of the series’ whimsical plotlines, Daisy Duke was the apple of many a young adult’s eye. The staple of her attire were a pair of lowcut denim jean shorts, which didn’t leave a lot to the imagination.

Bach would appear in 145 episodes of Dukes Of Hazzard, which far eclipses the number of appearances she had in any of her other TV roles. Because of her iconic part in the show, Bach would also have the chance to be a part of other adjacent projects. She lent her voice to a 1983 animated series called The Dukes, where she reprised the role of Daisy.

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Bach was also a part of The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion and The Dukes Of Hazzard: Hazzard In Hollywood TV movies. Her voice also appeared in a 2004 video game titled The Dukes Of Hazzard: Return Of General Lee.

Other Notable Roles

Even though cinematic fans equate her most with one role, Bach has spent a good chunk of time working on some other notable projects as well. One such example is African Skies, a TV series that aired from 1992-1994. Bach took part in 52 episodes over that period, playing the role of Margo Dutton.

Bach also had something of a career renaissance later in life, as she found a recurring roles on TV soap opera The Young And The Restless. She played Anita Lawson in 62 episodes from 2012-2019. Her work in this setting helped her achieve a level of versatility over and above her fame achieved 40 years earlier.

What is Catherine Bach doing now?

Now in her late 60’s, it’s not clear whether Catherine Bach still has the desire to get back in front of a camera. Her last known appearance came in The Young And The Restless in 2019, and it’s possible that she may want to take a step back from the entertainment world to spend time with her family.

Catherine is active on the fan convention circuit and has made appearances at the Hazzard Fest in 2021 and 2022, as well as a variety of other fan conventions.

Personal Life

Catherine Bach was married twice in her life. Her first marriage came early, as she married Angela Lansbury’s stepson David Shaw when she was just 22. That partnership lasted five years, as the couple went their separate ways in 1981.

Bach would tie the knot once again in 1990, this time with entertainment lawyer Peter Lopez. The couple had two daughters, Sophia Isabella Lopez and Laura Esmeralda Lopez. Unfortunately, Peter Lopez passed away in 2010 in an apparent suicide.

There have been reports that Bach has resumed dating several years after Lopez’s surprising death.