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.
Ex-mother-in-law of Andrew Kishino.
Friend of Jane Kaczmarek and Asaad Kelada.
Gave birth to her daughter Vanessa Marshall on 19 October 1969.
Grew up in Boulder, Colorado.
Has appeared with Ted Shackelford in episodes of three different series: "The New Adventures of Wonder Woman" (1975), "Dallas" (1978) and "Knots Landing" (1979).
Has two brothers, Dexter J. Van Ark and Mark Clark Van Ark.
Her idol when she was young was Jane Wyman, the same idol as her future "Knots Landing" (1979) co-star, Donna Mills.
Her name is literally "Joan of Ark" in Dutch.
Is of Dutch descent.
Runs marathons and is something of a Track and Field historian.
Sister of Carol Kuykendall.
Was a "Weakest Link" (2001) contestant and was voted off.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1971 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for "The School for Wives."
Was the second youngest student to attend Yale School of Drama on a scholarship, the youngest was Julie Harris, later playing her mother on "Knots Landing" (1979).