In the late 1970s, he worked as a doorman at
Studio 54 to pay for his studies at the Actors Studio. He would later appear in a
VH1 Behind the Music special on Studio 54 to recount his experiences. Al Corley was the first actor to play
Steven Carrington on the 1980s soap opera
Dynasty. After that, Al Corley acted in fourteen movies, then produced five. Al Corley left
Dynasty at the end of the second season in 1982 after complaining publicly in
Interview that "Steven doesn't have any fun... He doesn't laugh; he has no humor". He also lamented Steven's "ever-shifting sexual preferences", and stated that he wanted "to do other things". and co-starred opposite his former
Dynasty co-star
Pamela Sue Martin in the film
Torchlight (1985). He was also known as a singer in the 1980s. His 1984 single "
Square Rooms", from his debut album of the same name became a number one hit in France (in 1985), also reaching No. 6 in
Switzerland, No. 12 in Italy (in 1985), No. 13 in Germany, No. 15 in
Austria and No. 80 in the
U.S. The same year, he released "Cold Dresses", which was also a big hit in France, reaching No. 5. His second album,
Riot of Color was released in 1986, and a third album,
Big Picture followed in 1988. ==Personal life==