Joan Van Ark, best known for her iconic role as Valene Ewing on Dallas and its spin-off Knots Landing, recently made her first public appearance in Los Angeles in three years. The 78-year-old actress was spotted running errands alone, dressed in sporty casualwear, tall brown boots, and wearing her hair in a ponytail. At one point, she was seen feeding coins into a parking meter.
Over her 55-year career in television and film, Van Ark became a household name, especially for her on-screen romance with Gary Ewing, portrayed by Ted Shackelford—whom she “married” three times on the show. While she has since stepped back from the spotlight, she has still contributed voice work to series like Doom Patrol (2019) and Curious George (2021). Her last film role was in Psycho Wedding Crasher in 2017.
Van Ark, who has been married to television reporter John Marshall for 56 years, remains connected to the Hollywood community. Her recent appearance hints at a content, private life, balancing her enduring fame with personal peace and quiet.