Joan Van Ark: The Heart And Soul Of 'Knots Landing'

Let’s talk about a legend, shall we? Joan Van Ark, the iconic actress who played Valene Ewing on Dallas, stepped into our lives in 1978 and quickly became a household name. Her character eventually found a home on Knots Landing, the beloved spinoff set in sunny California. This groundbreaking series wasn’t just about glitz and glamour—it was all about the bonds between women. Close female friendships were at its core, and those relationships faced trials and tribulations that kept viewers hooked. To this day, that family spirit lives on among the show’s former cast members. Joan, now 80, told Closer exclusively, “I’m more closely connected with Michele [Lee] and Donna [Mills] than ever. The three of us have a sisterhood. I want us to go to a rest home and be three little feisty devils flipping it upside down.”

Now, Joan’s not exactly ready to hang up her hat just yet. This powerhouse has been married for nearly 58 years to her high school sweetheart, and she’s still as passionate about her craft as ever. “My dream is to do something way unexpected—like play a biker girl,” she says with a laugh. “I know there’s one more big role in me, and I can’t wait to see what it is.”

A Saintly Name and a Fiery Spirit

You were named after St. Joan of Arc, who led the French army into battle. Are you anything like her?

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Joan’s name carries a lot of weight, doesn’t it? “Maybe my obsession with spirituality and not being denied one’s goal,” she reflects. “I’m like a flame that flickers for a while but always returns to a stillness. When I was 15 or 16, I played her in a University of Colorado production. It was intense. With her life flashing before her eyes, she’s strapped to the stake and they light the fire. It brought the audience to tears. That’s how powerful the story is.” Joan’s connection to the saint runs deep, and it’s clear that her determination and passion fuel everything she does.

Julie Harris: A Lifelong Mentor

On Knots Landing, Broadway legend Julie Harris played your mother, but you had met much earlier in your life.

Joan’s journey with Julie Harris began long before Knots Landing. “My dad worked in PR in Denver. When I was 16, he arranged for her to speak with me. She ended up calling the dean of the Yale School of Drama, who agreed to meet with me. I became the second woman after Julie to be admitted when it was all men.” Joan’s path to Yale was paved by this incredible encounter, and it set the stage for her illustrious career.

“Walking to class from my dorm across campus, I would count the cracks in the sidewalk so I wouldn’t be distracted by the tsunami of male gorgeousness coming at me,” Joan recalls with a chuckle. “I dated the quarterback of the football team—Doug Hershey of the Hershey chocolate family. He gave me kisses, but they weren’t chocolate!”

Love and Marriage: A Long and Happy Journey

You already knew your husband, John, at this point, right?

“Oh, John was home in Colorado. We’ve been through so much together. I always say we were married and divorced several times before we were actually married. We had a relationship, but that didn’t stop me at Yale with a campus full of guys,” Joan laughs. “When he was a junior, I was a sophomore. He says he remembers seeing me walk down the school hall in this blue dress and he was so smitten. Well, I’ve never worn blue in my life. I’m not a blue person. Your teeth don’t look white enough when you wear blue.”

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What is your secret to a long marriage?

“John says frequent separations and gradual hearing loss. I think that’s pretty damn good,” she jokes. But there’s a deeper truth here. Joan and John have weathered the storms of life together, and their bond is as strong as ever.

Memorable Roles and Lasting Impressions

One of your first big roles was in the 1972 TV movie The Judge and Jake Wyler with Bette Davis. What was she like?

Joan’s experience working with Bette Davis was unforgettable. “On our first day of filming, she was watching my rehearsal. The vibe just didn’t feel right, and then someone came