top of page
Joan Van Ark is an American actress best known for her role as Valene Ewing on the popular television series Dallas and its spin-off Knots Landing. Van Ark's portrayal of Valene made her a beloved character in prime-time television, and she became a fixture on American TV for over a decade. Her work in theater has also been acclaimed, including performances in Broadway productions. Van Ark continues to act in film, television, and theater.
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"When I'm not involved in an acting job I try to run 10 miles a day."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"They wanted to make her less rural, less of a cartoon. Not that Southern woman are cartoonish - they're the strongest women in this country, but with Val they wanted to take the stereotypical things out."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"I'm Presbyterian and I don't go to church very much."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"You've got to realize that any lady on a soap is devoting her life to it, 24/7."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"Running is a great way to relieve stress and clear the mind."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"I had been doing plays in New York and on a whim we packed up and moved West, I started doing commercials and plays and guest star spots on TV and one thing led to another and I got Knots Landing."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
1
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"So I had all the names, three names, and that's good to have on a soap."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
1
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"When you're on a long running series, you reach a very rarefied, high oxygen area and after a while to keep a show on the air they have to make some very drastic changes."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"Running is my church."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"Knots was about the relationships that were built over many years."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"I didn't even know Michele before we started the show but we became great friends, and still are."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"I need to run every day. If I don't I feel cheated."

Day,
Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"A couple of years ago I ran in the LA Marathon."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"I want to play trailer trash; I swear to God."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
GettyImages-1390397976_b_edited.jpg
Quote_1.png

"My brother Mark still lives in the house we grew up in."

Share on Facebook_Black.png
Share on X_edited.png
Painting Icon
bottom of page