Following a performance in Denver, Van Ark met acclaimed actress Julie Harris, who encouraged her to pursue additional acting studies. Van Ark was only the second woman to enroll in the elite Yale Theatre School and the youngest student to obtain a scholarship there.

 

 

Reflecting on those early days, Van Ark shared, “My parents took me to meet the dean in New Haven, Connecticut, after I wrote to him. He gave me a scholarship offer, which was predestined.”

Van Ark made her acting debut in 1963, playing The Miser at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater. After a year at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., she traveled south to join the national touring troupe Barefoot in the Park. Van Ark made her Broadway debut and received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in The School for Wives in 1971. She has made cameo appearances on popular television episodes such as Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and a noteworthy episode of Bonanza.

As the 1980s came, Joan Van Ark was still searching for her breakout role. In 1978, she had many guest appearances as Valene Ewing on Dallas, which led to her casting on Knots Landing.