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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

A look back

Joan van Ark remembers her time on 'Dallas' and 'Knots Landing'

To many television viewers, Joan van Ark is best known as Valene Ewing. She began playing Valene, the often-troubled sister-in-law of J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman) in 1978 on the popular CBS series "Dallas." Shortly thereafter, she and Ted Shackelford (who played her TV husband Gary) became the focus of the "Dallas" spin-off series "Knots Landing," which ran for 14 seasons on CBS.\nVan Ark, now 58, was a mainstay on "Knots Landing" from its premiere in 1979 until her departure in 1992 (she returned for the final episode in 1993) and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards for her portrayal of Valene. In 1997, the Boulder, Colo., native reprised her TV alter ego in the reunion miniseries "Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac."\nAlthough she is known to many for her television work, which also includes numerous TV movies and series guest appearances, van Ark is also an accomplished stage actress. She was the second youngest student to attend the Yale University School of Drama on a scholarship, and her theater accolades include a Tony nomination for "The School for Wives," a Theater World Award for "The Rules of the Game" and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for "As You Like It." In addition, she lent her voice to the now-defunct animated series "Tarzan and the Super 7," "Spider-Woman," "Thundarr the Barbarian" and "Santo Bugito." \nIn recent years, she earned an Emmy nomination for directing a Directors Guild of America documentary on domestic violence and homelessness, and appeared in the independent films "Held for Ransom" and "UP, Michigan!" Van Ark can currently be seen on late night television as the hostess of an infomercial for the Slim Down Solution weight loss system, and she is awaiting the premiere of her episode of Lifetime's "Intimate Portrait" biography series. \nVan Ark also maintains a Web site (www.joanvanark.com). Her husband, broadcast journalist John Marshall, coordinates the online news service eNewswires (www.enewswires.com).\nRecently, in an interview with the IDS Weekend, van Ark discusses, among other things, portraying Valene, the success of "Knots Landing" and working with Julie Harris, who played her mother on the series.\nQ: What do you think attributed to the success of "Knots Landing"?\nA: "Knots" was so much more about us, versus some of the high-glam shows like "Dallas" and "Dynasty," which were about diamonds and riches. "Knots" was more about us, and you could relate. All of those characters became friends of yours that you went to check out every week.\nQ: Why do you think audiences liked the character Valene?\nA: I feel that when it would look like she was the victim, those were the best times for Valene. Michele Lee's character Karen called her the "The Little Engine That Could." She had the spirit to overcome and triumph.\nQ: Do you have a favorite memory from the set of "Knots Landing"?\nA: One time, there was a script that called for a young Valene, so I suggested my daughter Vanessa for the part. When it came time to shoot her scene, I said, "Just do it however you want." During the scene, a huge tear splashed down her face right on cue. She was brilliant. Afterward, the director brought her back to my dressing room and said, "You have another star in the family." That was a wonderful, wonderful memory.\nQ: What was it like to work with Julie Harris on the series?\nA: There are no words to describe working with someone who is as stunning, spiritual, unique -- all of it. She is amazing, sensitive and thoughtful; I love her with all my heart and soul. I just went back to New York on March 18 to take part in a tribute to her at Lincoln Center. With all the difficulty she's experienced recently (Harris suffered a stroke last year), she did an interview for my episode of "Intimate Portrait." Julie told me later that she did the interview with my photo in her lap. \nQ: What was it like to prepare for your episode of "Intimate Portrait"?\nA: It's an hour-long show that's the story of your life and career, and it's been the most involving process. You have to provide 350 photographs and an interview list of people that have been a part of your life. Jane Kaczmarek was interviewed because I worked with her on an after-school special that I directed. I've also done a five-hour interview where they ask you everything from A to Z, and it's been nuts, but it's also been fulfilling.\nQ: Why did you decide to endorse the Slim Down Solution?\nA: Well, I run eight to 10 miles a day, and I'm very careful about what I eat, so the fitness area is something I'm definitely a part of. They sent me this outline of what this product was, and I researched it and found that it is in fact a fat blocker. I've always felt that taking care of yourself is very important, and I went down to Florida last summer and shot the infomercial. \nQ: Who do you play in "UP, Michigan!"\nA: I play a Joan Collins wannabe, and I wore a black shag wig and over-the-top clothes. It's a fun sort of coming-of-age movie that was done outside of Chicago. They are still looking for a distributor. It's silly, goofy fun and I wore a lot of leopard skin. I know Joan Collins in real life, and she's a cheerleader; she has unbelievable energy.\nQ: Do you have any advice for aspiring actors?\nA: When people ask me for advice, I put my own spin on the Nike phrase "Just do it." My thing is "Don't think. Just do it." Don't overthink it; let your heart and your soul do it. I watched the Olympics, and I watched the athletes compete. They can't think, think, think; they just do it. That is a huge piece of advice.

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