Joan Van Ark, born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, had no connections to the film industry. However, her life took a dramatic turn during her teenage years when she met actress Julie Harris in Denver. Encouraged by Julie, Joan applied to the prestigious Yale Drama School and was granted admission with a scholarship, becoming only the second woman ever to enroll in the school.
Although Joan initially performed in theater productions, her true passion lay in television. She gained significant recognition for her roles in popular shows like “Temperature’s Rising,” “Spider-Woman,” “Days of Our Lives,” and even appeared in an episode of “Bonanza.” However, it was her portrayal of Valene Ewing on “Dallas” in 1978 that catapulted her to great fame.
Due to the immense popularity of “Dallas,” Joan also made appearances on its spin-off, “Knots Landing.” Interestingly, “Knots Landing” was actually written before “Dallas” but was chosen later as the best option to showcase affluent households. Consequently, Joan had to reprise her role in “Dallas” instead of joining the “Knots Landing” cast.
Joan’s husband, renowned newscaster John Marshall, played a crucial role in convincing her to take on the part while juggling two other projects. To her surprise, Joan’s dear friend Julie Harris was even cast as Val Ewing’s mother on the show.
After an impressive run of 13 seasons and 327 episodes, Joan decided to leave “Knots Landing” a season before its final airing. Although many attributed the show’s cancellation to her departure, Joan was ready for new adventures. Reflecting on her time on the show, she expressed immense gratitude towards creator David Jacobs, co-star Ted Shackelford, and the entire cast, who had become like family to her.
Following her departure from “Knots Landing,” Joan went on to appear on “The Young and The Restless” as Gloria Fisher. In her personal life, Joan has been happily married to John Marshall for over 56 years. Together, they have a daughter named Vanessa Marshall, who also works in the entertainment industry.
At the age of 78, Joan Van Ark exudes timeless beauty and possesses a net worth of $10 million. Despite her success, she maintains a private life away from the spotlight. Her most recent on-screen appearance was in the 2017 television film “Psycho Wedding Crasher.” After five decades in the film industry, Joan has been recognized for her contributions by becoming a life member of The Actor’s Studio.
Joan Van Ark’s journey is nothing short of remarkable, and she remains an icon in the industry even today.
