Let me tell you a story about Joan Van Ark, a woman who’s been a part of our TV screens for decades. Her character, Valene Ewing, came into our lives in 1978 on Dallas, before spinning off into the iconic Knots Landing. Set in sunny California, this series wasn’t just about drama—it was about friendship. The bonds between women were tested, strengthened, and celebrated in ways that set it apart from other nighttime dramas back then. And guess what? That family-like connection has endured among the show’s former stars. Joan, now 80, tells Closer exclusively, “I’m closer to Michele [Lee] and Donna [Mills] than ever. We’ve got this sisterhood. I joke that we should all end up in a rest home together, flipping it upside down like three little feisty devils.”
And here’s the kicker—Joan’s not slowing down anytime soon. She’s been married for nearly 58 years to her high school sweetheart, and she’s still hungry for work. “My dream? To do something completely unexpected—like playing a biker girl,” she says with a laugh. “I know there’s one more big role in me, and I can’t wait to take it on.”
Joan of Arc Revisited
You were named after St. Joan of Arc, who led the French army into battle. Do you see any resemblance between you and her?
Read also:The Gilded Age Season 3 Exploring Divorce Drama And Societys Evolution
“Maybe in my relentless pursuit of spirituality and my determination to never be denied my goals. I’m like a flame that flickers but always returns to stillness. When I was 15 or 16, I played her in a University of Colorado production. In one of the scenes, with her life flashing before her eyes, she’s strapped to the stake as they light the fire. That performance brought the audience to tears—it was powerful stuff.”
Early Influences: Meeting Julie Harris
On Knots Landing, Broadway legend Julie Harris played your mother, but you had actually met her much earlier in your life.
“My dad worked in PR in Denver. When I was 16, he arranged for Julie to meet with me. She ended up calling the dean of the Yale School of Drama, who agreed to meet with me. That was a game-changer. I became the second woman after Julie to be admitted when it was predominantly a male school.”
“Walking to class from my dorm, I would count the cracks in the sidewalk so I wouldn’t be distracted by the sheer wave of male gorgeousness coming at me. And let me tell you, I dated the quarterback of the football team—Doug Hershey from the Hershey chocolate family.”
Did you get free Hershey’s kisses from dating Doug?
“He gave me kisses, but they weren’t chocolate!”
Read also:Heidi Klum Shines Bright In Breathtaking Bikini Videos Postagt
The Love Story That Lasted
You already knew your husband, John, at this point, right?
“Oh, John was back home in Colorado. We’ve had this lifelong connection, even though we were married and divorced several times in our hearts before we officially tied the knot. Our relationship was strong, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the campus life at Yale, surrounded by all those handsome guys.”
You and John first met in high school?
“That’s right. When he was a junior, I was a sophomore. He claims he remembers seeing me walk down the hall in this blue dress and being smitten. But come on, I’ve never been a blue person! Blue doesn’t do justice to your teeth—they don’t look white enough.”
What’s your secret to a long marriage?
“John jokes that it’s frequent separations and gradual hearing loss. But honestly, I think that’s pretty darn good advice.”
Learning from the Legends
One of your first big roles was in the 1972 TV movie The Judge and Jake Wyler with Bette Davis. What was she like?
“On our first day of filming, she was watching my rehearsal. Something just didn’t feel right, and then someone came over and said, ‘Miss Davis wants to speak with you.’ She motioned for the wardrobe person to bring me a broad-brimmed black hat with a veil. Bette said, ‘Wear this so we know this is a widow’s garb and try the scene that way.’ Despite all the horror stories I’d heard, I adored her for being
