Joan van Ark was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, far from the world of entertainment. Her life took a significant turn during her teenage years while acting in Denver, where she met actress Julie Harris, who would greatly influence her career. Julie encouraged Joan to apply to the prestigious Yale Drama School and even helped her secure a scholarship, making Joan the second woman ever to enroll there.
Joan recalled: “Harris wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, where the dean awarded me a scholarship. It felt destined”. After honing her skills in theater, Joan shifted her focus to television, where she starred in shows like Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and even made a guest appearance on Bonanza. However, it was her role as Valene Ewing on Dallas in 1978 that propelled her to stardom.
Her success on Dallas led to her starring in its spin-off, Knots Landing, which was actually developed before Dallas. Initially, Joan was set to join the Knots Landing cast, but she ended up reprising her role on Dallas first. It was her husband, newscaster John Marshall, who encouraged her to accept the role despite her busy schedule. When it was announced that Julie Harris would play Val’s mother, Joan was thrilled. “I couldn’t believe they had picked her to be my mother”, she recalled in a 1984 interview.
After 13 seasons and 327 episodes on Knots Landing, Joan left the show just before its final season. While many speculated that her departure contributed to the show’s cancellation, she was ready for new challenges. “I loved my time on that show”, she stated, expressing gratitude to the show’s creator, David Jacobs, and her co-star, Ted Shackelford, who she considered family.
Joan and John, who met in high school, have been happily married for over 58 years and share a daughter, Vanessa Marshall, who works in the entertainment industry. Now at 81, Joan has a net worth of $10 million and remains stunning. She was last spotted five years ago, casually paying for parking in workout attire.
Her most recent appearance was in the 2017 television film Psycho Wedding Crasher. After a remarkable 50-year career in entertainment, Joan van Ark is now a life member of The Actor’s Studio, solidifying her legacy as an icon.
A young girl sang an 80-year-old song: when the audience heard the girl, they went crazy
The anticipation was palpable as the young girl took the stage, her future uncertain.
Many describe this blind casting on “The Voice Kids” as one of the most spectacular ever. The judges barely had time to react before they spun their chairs around in record time.
Anna’s take on the 80-year-old classic is nothing short of flawless. Her voice has a purity and depth that suggests a rising star. Close your eyes and it feels like an angel is singing directly to your soul.
Written in 1939, “Over the Rainbow” is a song that almost everyone knows, but few can do its lyrics justice. Few singers since Judy Garland have managed to captivate the world with such a performance.
Bravely, young Anna decided to perform this iconic song on The Voice Kids, hoping to impress the judges with her own rendition. And she impressed them – every single one turned their chair around for her!
Anna puts her heart and soul into her performance and exudes a star quality that far exceeds her years. Such brilliance in someone so young is a rarity and a miracle to witness. Bravo, Anna!
Watch Anna’s unforgettable rendition of “Over the Rainbow” in this incredible video from The Voice Kids.
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