This 80s soap opera star known for her signature blonde locks was unrecognizable while visiting a beauty salon…who is she?
She was the epitome of 1980s glamour with her fabulous platinum blonde hair that became her character’s trademark in one of TV’s most popular soap operas.
The CBS show saw this television star reprise her role from the long-running soap, Dallas, and go on to become a central character and fan favorite in the iconic spinoff.
She kept audiences engrossed with her dramatic storylines as a four-times divorced mother, navigating a very complicated love and family life with her on-again, off-again husband.
Her character’s elegant fashion sense and bold looks made her a symbol of 80s fashion and pop culture, with her shoulder pads and voluminous hair.
Four decades on, the soap star was almost unrecognizable while visiting a beauty salon in Beverly Hills this week – though her signature blonde locks were still on full display.
Can you guess who it is?
This TV icon epitomized 80s glam with her big blonde hair while starring in 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 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 elegant and stylish as she did back in her heyday, dressing up a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-tinted sunglasses, and a fresh manicure.
She was alone for the outing and was seen arriving in her chic black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie before letting it loose.
Van Ark looked healthy and sprightly as she talked on the phone, DailyMail.com’s exclusive photos show.
The popular actress has enjoyed a prolific TV and movie career that began 55 years ago with hits including 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 in its spinoff Knots Landing the following year. Her character famously endured an off-again, on-again relationship with husband Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford
At 81, Van Ark looked as elegant and stylish as she did back in her heyday, dressing up a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-tinted sunglasses, and a fresh manicure
She was alone for the outing and was seen arriving in her chic black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie
However she is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began on Dallas in 1978 and then continued in its spinoff Knots Landing the following year.
She 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 while enjoying down time with husband of 58 years, award-winning TV reporter John Marshall.
Despite her age, Joan has remained active in Hollywood in recent years.
She has lent her voice various times in recent years for cameos that include parts in TV series Curious George (2021) and Doom Patrol (2019).
Her last on-screen appearance was in 2017 when she co-starred in television movie Psycho Wedding Crasher.
