Joan van Ark was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, far from the world of entertainment. Her life took a significant turn during her teenage years while acting in Denver, where she met actress Julie Harris, who would greatly influence her career. Julie encouraged Joan to apply to the prestigious Yale Drama School and even helped her secure a scholarship, making Joan the second woman ever to enroll there.
Joan recalled: “Harris wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, where the dean awarded me a scholarship. It felt destined”. After honing her skills in theater, Joan shifted her focus to television, where she starred in shows like Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and even made a guest appearance on Bonanza. However, it was her role as Valene Ewing on Dallas in 1978 that propelled her to stardom.
Her success on Dallas led to her starring in its spin-off, Knots Landing, which was actually developed before Dallas. Initially, Joan was set to join the Knots Landing cast, but she ended up reprising her role on Dallas first. It was her husband, newscaster John Marshall, who encouraged her to accept the role despite her busy schedule. When it was announced that Julie Harris would play Val’s mother, Joan was thrilled. “I couldn’t believe they had picked her to be my mother”, she recalled in a 1984 interview.
After 13 seasons and 327 episodes on Knots Landing, Joan left the show just before its final season. While many speculated that her departure contributed to the show’s cancellation, she was ready for new challenges. “I loved my time on that show”, she stated, expressing gratitude to the show’s creator, David Jacobs, and her co-star, Ted Shackelford, who she considered family.
Joan and John, who met in high school, have been happily married for over 58 years and share a daughter, Vanessa Marshall, who works in the entertainment industry. Now at 81, Joan has a net worth of $10 million and remains stunning. She was last spotted five years ago, casually paying for parking in workout attire.
Her most recent appearance was in the 2017 television film Psycho Wedding Crasher. After a remarkable 50-year career in entertainment, Joan van Ark is now a life member of The Actor’s Studio, solidifying her legacy as an icon.
Bikers found an ABANDONED DOG holding a plastic BAG in his mouth: When they looked inside they were shocked and RAN immediately for help, here’s what the dog PROTECTED
During a bike ride with his friends, Paul Skinner, aged 58, encountered a disturbing sight on a quiet stretch of road. Spotting movement in a ditch, they approached cautiously and discovered a frightened dog attempting to protect a sack with its jaws. What they found inside shocked them deeply.
Upon opening the sack, they discovered four deceased puppies, all seemingly born recently. The men were horrified by the tragic scene and immediately contacted the authorities. Animal shelter representatives arrived promptly and took custody of the mother dog, whom they named Carly.
Investigations revealed that Carly had been abandoned with her puppies shortly after giving birth. Despite being left alone, Carly never left her puppies’ side. Tragically, she was unable to free them from the tightly knotted plastic bag in which they were found.
This heartbreaking act of cruelty has sparked outrage, with calls for justice against those responsible for such heinous acts of animal abuse. Carly, identified as a Cocker Spaniel, has become a symbol of resilience and maternal devotion, staying with her puppies until the very end despite the lack of food, water, and shelter.
Instances of animal neglect and abandonment are sadly becoming more frequent, highlighting the urgent need for stricter laws and harsher penalties for offenders. It is hoped that Carly will find a loving home where she can receive the care and compassion she deserves after enduring such a traumatic experience. Carly’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the unconditional love and loyalty that animals can show, even in the face of unimaginable hardship and cruelty.
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