Episode 124 – A Revealing Chat with Iconic Prime Time Soap Diva & “Knots Landing” Star Joan Van Ark - Part 2
In Part Two of this captivating Hollywood Obsessed interview, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive with legendary actress Joan Van Ark, as she opens up about her unforgettable run as Valene Ewing on the long-running primetime soap “Knots Landing”—one of the most beloved shows of the 1980s and '90s.
Joan shares what it was like working alongside Donna Mills, who played the deliciously devious Abby, including how nervous Donna was on her very first day. She reflects on the powerful, lasting friendship she shares with both Donna and Michele Lee, and how the bond between the trio remains strong decades later. She also talks about navigating her dual role on both “Dallas” and “Knots Landing”—juggling crossover episodes like Lucy and Mitch’s wedding while flying coast to coast to also shoot commercials for Estée Lauder in New York City.
Joan reveals behind-the-scenes stories from her return to the role of Valene in the TNT reboot of “Dallas,” including a dramatic scene with Linda Gray that was filmed 12 hours into the day—due to a lead actor repeatedly reshooting their own scene. She also shares what it was like working on the fast-paced daytime world of “The Young and the Restless,” and how that schedule compared to the more leisurely pace of primetime television.
Plus, Joan talks about her guest role on “Nip/Tuck” with Donna Mills and Shari Belafonte, and the exciting new podcast she’s doing with her “Knots Landing” co-stars, “We’re Knot Done Yet.” As the conversation wraps, she reflects on her legacy as one of TV’s most iconic soap divas—and hints that she still has one unforgettable character left to play. Don’t miss this inspiring, behind-the-scenes journey with a true television legend.
JOAN VAN ARK
Joan began her career with a remarkable distinction—becoming the second youngest student ever admitted to the Yale School of Drama on scholarship, following Julie Harris, who would become her mentor and lifelong friend. She made her professional stage debut at the Guthrie Theater in Molière’s The Miser alongside Hume Cronyn and Zoe Caldwell, then went on to appear in Death of a Salesman with Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. Her stage work flourished with notable roles at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., a national tour and Broadway run of Barefoot in the Park directed by Mike Nichols, and award-winning performances in The School for Wives and The Rules of the Game.
She rose to national fame for her iconic portrayal of Valene Ewing on Dallas and its long-running spin-off Knots Landing.Over 13 seasons, she received six award nominations and won two Soap Opera Digest Awards. Joan later reprised the beloved role in two reunion specials and a guest appearance in the rebooted Dallas on TNT. Her television work also includes starring roles in sitcoms like Temperature Rising and We’ve Got Each Other, a year-long role on The Young and the Restless, and appearances in The Nanny, My Name is Earl, and Nip/Tuck. In 2025, she reunited with co-stars Michele Lee and Donna Mills for the podcast We’re Knot Done Yet.
Van Ark's work extends to numerous television movies, including When the Darkman Calls, Tainted Blood, Always Remember I Love You, and Boys Will Be Boys, which she also directed—earning a Humanitas nomination. She lent her voice to the animated series Spider-Woman and Santo Bugito, and in 1997 directed an Emmy-nominated documentary on homelessness and domestic violence for the Directors Guild of America.
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Joan Van Ark
Actress
Joan Van Ark launched her acting career with an impressive start, becoming the second youngest student ever admitted to the Yale School of Drama on scholarship—preceded only by Julie Harris, who would later become her lifelong friend and co-star on “Knots Landing.”
She made her professional stage debut at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis in Molière’s “The Miser,” opposite Hume Cronyn and Zoe Caldwell. She followed that with “Death of a Salesman” alongside Cronyn and Jessica Tandy. After a season at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., Joan was cast in the national tour of “Barefoot in the Park,” directed by Mike Nichols. She later reprised the role in both the West End and on Broadway. Her stage work earned her a Tony Award nomination for “The School for Wives” and a Theatre World Award for “The Rules of the Game.”
She is perhaps best known for her role as Valene Ewing beginning on Dallas and continuing on the spin-off series, “Knots Landing.” During her 13 seasons as Val, she earned six award nominations and two Soap Opera Digest Awards for Best Actress. Joan also starred in the TV comedies “Temperature Rising” and “We've Got Each Other.” In May 1997, she reprised her role in the CBS miniseries “Knots Landing Reunion: Back to the Cul-de-sac,” and again in a second reunion special in December 2005. In 2008, she and her “Knots Landing “castmates appeared on NBC's Today Show, and again in 2009 on CBS's The Early Show. In 1998, she guest-starred in an episode of “The Nanny” written specifically for her. From 2004 to 2005, she starred in the CBS… Read More
