Joan Van Ark, best known for her role as Valene Ewing on the popular TV series Dallas, became a household name in the 1980s. Although she gained most of her fame from Dallas, she only appeared in one episode of the spinoff series Knots Landing in 2012.
At 80 years old, Joan Van Ark is still going strong. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and they have a daughter together. Recently, in an interview, Van Ark took the blame for Knots Landing’s demise.
A Passion Ignited
Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, Van Ark knew from an early age that she wanted to be an actress. Her passion for acting was ignited when the quarterback of her high school football team turned down her request to go to prom. It was in that moment that she realized she was destined for show business. Despite lacking industry experience, her parents fully supported her dreams and helped her along the way. Van Ark has enjoyed a prestigious career spanning over 50 years, with roles in both film and television.
Embracing Acting
After being turned down for a role she auditioned for, Van Ark was cast as the flower girl in a play. She found the experience enjoyable and decided to take acting more seriously. Acting soon became a big part of her life and she discovered her love for it.
Pursuing Her Dreams
While performing in Denver, Van Ark had the opportunity to meet actress Julie Harris, who urged her to pursue acting and drama studies. Van Ark enrolled at Yale Theatre School and became the only other female student at the esteemed institution. What’s more, she held the record for being the youngest person to ever be awarded a scholarship.
Her acting journey began in 1963, with her debut in The Miser at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. After a year at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC, Van Ark moved to the South to work with the national touring company Barefoot in the Park. Eventually, she made her Broadway debut and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in The School for Wives.
From Dallas to Knots Landing
In the late 1970s, Van Ark was still searching for a breakout role. She made several appearances on Dallas in 1978, which led to her securing the role of Valene Ewing in Knots Landing.
Knots Landing, a beloved Dallas offshoot, aired on television from 1979 to 1993. Van Ark portrayed Valene Ewing in 327 episodes and became one of the show’s most iconic cast members. She co-starred alongside Ted Shackleford (Gary) and Michele Lee (Karen). Despite being a spinoff, Knots Landing debuted on CBS before the Ewing family’s TV show.
Making Difficult Decisions
Initially, Dallas was chosen to fulfill the network’s vision of a large, wealthy family show. However, Knots Landing proved to be an enormous success, leading the studio to realize the popularity of Dallas. Knots Landing quickly climbed the ratings and reached the top 20 TV shows after just one season.
After 13 seasons, Van Ark was unsure about leaving Knots Landing. Ultimately, she decided to stop filming the show in order to focus on other opportunities. While she felt secure and comfortable continuing with the program, she also recognized the importance of pushing oneself and continuing to grow as an artist.
The Legacy Continues
Despite leaving the soap opera business, Joan Van Ark continued to deliver outstanding performances in a variety of movies and TV shows. She appeared in well-known shows such as The Young and the Restless and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In the latter, she played Gloria Fisher in 55 episodes from 2004 to 2005.
One aspect that sets Joan Van Ark apart is her extraordinary marriage to John Marshall. They met as classmates at Boulder High School and tied the knot in 1966 on a military base in Germany. Together, they welcomed their daughter Vanessa Marshall in 1969. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Vanessa pursued a successful career in entertainment as a renowned voice actress.
What’s Next for Joan?
Both Dallas and Knots Landing showcased Joan Van Ark’s talent as a guest star, earning her high praise from critics. If you want to see more of Joan’s work in the future, leave your thoughts in the comment section. And in the meantime, be sure to spread the word about this post.
