Joan Van Ark has had a long and successful career in Hollywood, but it was her part as Valene Ewing on the primetime serial opera Knots Landing that helped her establish herself and solidify her place in the film industry.
Joan was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, New York, to parents who had no connection to television.
She always thought she belonged in Hollywood. She began acting when she was very young, and it was during a performance in Denver that she met actress Julie Harris, who would have a significant impact on her life and career. Harris convinced Joan to join Yale’s prestigious Drama School.
“She [Harris] wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, to meet the dean, who gave me a scholarship,” Joan recalled.” It was meant to be.”
Joan left the theater after several years to work in television.
She appeared on several television shows, including Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and even one episode of Bonanza. Then, in 1978, she made many cameos as Valene Ewing on Dallas, which became the most significant part she has ever done.
As Dallas became a tremendous success, the network decided to film the spin-off Knots Landing, in which Joan repeated her role as Valene Ewing.
In truth, Knots Landing was written before Dallas, but when it came time to determine which show to work on, producers chose Dallas because they wanted a “big rich family” show.
Joan was a leading character for 13 seasons in Knots Landing and it was her husband who persuaded her to accept the role. At the time she was offered to be part of the series, Joan was already working on two other projects.
After 13 seasons and 327 episodes, Joan left Knots Landing, and the show was cancelled a season later. Joan was aware she was to fault for the cancellation, but she felt she wanted to take on new tasks.