Joan van Ark, born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, entered the entertainment world with a push from actress Julie Harris during her teenage years in Denver. Harris facilitated her admission to the Yale Drama School with a scholarship, making Joan the second woman to enroll. Her passion for television led her to notable roles in “Temperature’s Rising,” “Spider-Woman,” “Days of Our Lives,” and a pivotal role as Valene Ewing on “Dallas” in 1978.
Due to “Dallas” popularity, she reprised the role on the spin-off “Knots Landing” for 13 seasons, with 327 episodes. Despite leaving a season before the show’s end, Joan cherished her time on the show and her connections with the cast. Her departure was not due to the show’s cancellation but a desire for new adventures. She later appeared on “The Young and The Restless” as Gloria Fisher.
Joan’s personal life includes a 56-year marriage to John Marshall, a newscaster, and a daughter named Vanessa Marshall in the entertainment industry. At 78, with a $10 million net worth, she remains private, occasionally spotted in Los Angeles. Her last on-screen appearance was in the 2017 TV film “Psycho Wedding Crasher.” Joan Van Ark, an industry veteran for over 50 years, is now a life member of The Actor’s Studio.