She was the epitome of 80s glamor with her fabulous platinum blonde hair that became the trademark of her character in one of the most popular soap operas.
On the CBS show, this TV star reprized her role from the soap opera Dallas and became a central character and fan favorite in the iconic spin-off.
She kept the audience engrossed with her dramatic stories as a four-time divorced mother, going through a very complicated love and family life with her on-again, off-again husband.
Her character’s elegant fashion sense and bold appearance made her a symbol of ’80s fashion and pop culture, with her shoulder pads and voluminous hair.
Four decades later, the soap opera star was almost unrecognizable while visiting a beauty salon in Beverly Hills this week, although her signature blonde locks were still on display.
Can you guess who it is?
This television icon personified ’80s glamor with her big blonde hair while starring on a popular CBS primetime soap opera.
The actress was almost unrecognizable while visiting a beauty salon in Beverly Hills last weekend, exclusive photos show.
It’s Joan Van Ark!
The iconic soap opera star was spotted going for a beauty session at a salon, just days after the 45th anniversary of her hit show, Knots Landing.
At 81, Van Ark looked as chic and stylish as she did in her heyday, wearing a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-colored sunglasses and a new manicure.
She was alone during the outing and was seen arriving in her sleek black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie before letting it down.
Van Ark looked healthy and cheerful while talking on the phone, DailyMail.com’s exclusive photos show.
The popular actress has enjoyed a prolific film and television career that began 55 years ago with hits such as Frogs (1972), My First Love (1988), The Last Dinosaur (1977), Shakedown on the Sunset Strip (1988), Tainted Blood (1993), among many others.
Soap opera star Joan Van Ark is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began on Dallas in 1978 and then continued on its spin-off Knots Landing the following year. Her character endured an on-again, off-again relationship with her husband Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford.
At 81, Van Ark looked as chic and stylish as she did in her heyday, wearing a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-colored sunglasses and a fresh manicure.
She was alone during the outing and was seen arriving in her sleek black convertible, with her hair in a white scrunchie.
However, she is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began in Dallas in 1978 and then continued in its spin-off Knots Landing the following year.
He ended up appearing in 327 episodes of Knots Landing over 14 years.
Joan’s character was married three times to her on-screen love interest Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford.
Off camera, Joan is known to live a very private life these days as she enjoys her free time with her husband of 58 years, award-winning television reporter John Marshall.
Despite her age, Joan has remained active in Hollywood in recent years.
He has lent his voice several times in recent years for cameos including roles in the television series Curious George (2021) and Doom Patrol (2019).
Her last on-screen appearance was in 2017 when she co-starred in the television movie Psycho Wedding Crasher.