Trivia

Her name is literally "Joan of Ark" in Dutch.

Was the second youngest student to attend The Yale School of Drama on a scholarship, after Julie Harris, who later played her mother on Knots Landing (1979).

Runs marathons and is something of a Track and Field historian.

She has played the same character (Valene Ewing) on three different series: Dallas (1978), Knots Landing (1979) and Dallas (2012).

She has appeared with Ted Shackelford in episodes of four different series: Wonder Woman (1975), Dallas (1978), Knots Landing (1979) and Dallas (2012).

Was a Weakest Link (2001) contestant and was voted off.

Gave birth to her daughter Vanessa Marshall on 19 October 1969.

Replaced Marlo Thomas (who broke her ankle) at the request of Richard Benjamin in the London stage production (Piccadilly Theatre) of Barefoot in the Park.

Her paternal grandfather was of Dutch descent.

Along with Ted Shackelford and Michele Lee, she is one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last episodes of Knots Landing (1979): Pilot (1979) and Just Like Old Times: Part 2 (1993) respectively.

Friends with: Barbara Bel Geddes, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Kevin Dobson, Susan Sullivan, Lorenzo Lamas, Sharon Gless and Larry Manetti.

Along with Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Charlene Tilton and Ted Shackelford, she is one of only five actors to play the same character (Valene Ewing) in all three series in the "Dallas" franchise: Dallas (1978), Knots Landing (1979) and Dallas (2012).

Was nominated for Broadway's 1971 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for "The School for Wives."

Has highly praised Barbara Bel Geddes for her stardom in acting.

Grew up in Boulder, Colorado.

Has two brothers, Dexter J. Van Ark and Mark Clark Van Ark.

Best known by the public for her role as Valene Clements Ewing on Knots Landing (1979).

Born to Carroll Van Ark, who worked in advertising and public relations, and his wife Dorothy Jean Hemenway, a writer.

Met Kevin Dobson on the set of Kojak (1973), in 1977, and became close friends. They worked together on Knots Landing (1979).

Friend of Jane Kaczmarek and Asaad Kelada.

Sister of Carol Kuykendall.

Ex-mother-in-law of Andrew Kishino.