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• Joan Van Ark has kept away from the spotlight in recent years, only making rare public appearances.
• She's chosen to shy away from Hollywood to live a private life with her family alongside her husband of 57 years.
• Just days before celebrating her 80th birthday, Van Ark was spotted at an event making it her first public appearance in a while.

Many celebrities end up with fellow celebrities – they're accustomed to the same lifestyle, and know the ins and outs of being in a high-profile relationship. It's for the same reason that sometimes, these relationships aren't built to last.

For Joan Van Ark and her husband John Marshall, this isn't the case. They first met back in a high school in Boulder, Colorado, before pursuing careers in the TV industry.

A portrait of Joan Van Ark for "Knots Landing" circa 1982. | Source: Getty Images

Just out of high school, Van Ark attended the Yale School of Drama on a scholarship. She became the second youngest student to ever attend the school.

In 1966, she married Marshall on a military base in Germany, before welcoming their daughter, Vanessa Marshall, three years later in 1969.

Joan Van Ark attends 23rd Annual International Broadcasting Awards on March 15, 1982 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Through the years, she went on to star on several off-Broadway productions before hitting the small screen. She starred on "Dallas," "Knots Landing," "We've Got Each Other," and many more.

Van Ark would end up as a well-loved actress by fans thanks to her role in "Knots Landing." In the TV series, Van Ark's character, Valene Ewing, marries a news anchor, which mimics Van Ark's real-life situation.

Cast of Knots Landing pose for a portrait in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Van Ark's husband, Marshall, was a newsman for a Los Angeles TV station. Although her on-screen husband and off-screen husband had the same job, this was their only similarity, according to the actress.

"It was nothing like the marriages Val has gone through," she said, referring to her character. Her TV character was married thrice, the first one to her own leading man, Gary Ewing, who was portrayed by actor Ted Shackelford.

Joan Van Ark and John Marshall attend CBS TV Affiliates Party on May 20, 1987 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Despite playing Valene Ewing for a total of 327 episodes in the span of 14 years, Van Ark isn't sure she likes the character she poured so much of her time into. She described her character as not being enough fun, even saying she was a "good-two-shoes," which was something she wasn't.

Despite being on TV screens for over a decade, Van Ark has chosen to keep a low profile through the years. She's rarely spotted out in public, and when she is, it's to run errands.

Joan Van Ark attends The Real Love Boat Series Kick-off Party with Princess Cruises on October 01, 2022 in San Pedro, California. | Source: Getty Images

In 2022, she was spotted running errands after three long years of fans not hearing from the actress. The actress sported an athletic outfit while she tied her blonde locks in a ponytail.

When she wasn't acting, Van Ark was running. She has completed several marathons, and has likened running to going to a psychologist.

Joan Van Ark with her husband John Marshall and daughter Vanessa circa 1980. | Source: Getty Images

Choosing a Private Life for Her Family

Throughout their marriage, Van Ark and Marshall only had one child together. Becoming a mom made her realize that balancing motherhood and navigating through the industry was a difficult task.

She credits Marshall for holding the fort during those stressful years, wherein she needed to wear so many hats. Speaking about her husband with nothing but praise, Van Ark once said:

“He is the reason we have the most wonderful daughter in the world and that the marriage has stayed strong."

Joan Van Ark and John Marshall attend Thalians Ball on October 17, 1987 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Through the years, Marshall made certain career choices so he didn't need to miss out on their daughter Vanessa growing up. As TV anchors often lived out of suitcases, he left his job so he begged off on correspondent jobs so he didn't need to be away from family.

Surprisingly, Van Ark candidly admitted that if the situations were reversed, she would have been waving them goodbye at the airport every time she needed to be away for work. She was a career-oriented woman, but one that still valued family a great deal.

For years, Van Ark has been the subject of criticism due to her alleged botched plastic surgeries.

Joan Van Ark (R) and husband John Marshall attend the 80th anniversary Hollywood Christmas Parade benefiting Marine Toys for Tots on November 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Like her parents, Vanessa Marshall chose a career in the entertainment industry when she gort older. She was a well-known voice artist, and chose to remain off-camera despite many offers.

She has lent her voice to TV series, video games, and animated films. Meanwhile, Marshall would end up being an Emmy newsman, having a remarkable career like his wife.

Van Ark Spotted Ahead of 80th Birthday

For years, Van Ark has been the subject of criticism due to her alleged botched plastic surgeries. Fans have been vocal about their surprise on social media, where they compare the actress to her natural-looking co-stars, Donna Mills and Michele Lee.

One insider commented: "Joan has gone and wrecked her face... the Botox, the endless rounds of fillers and face-lifts and peels have left a frightening impression." Another Twitter user commented on a recent photo of the actress featuring her new face mentioned that it was "scary."

Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee and Donna Mills attend the Hollywood Museum's 40th Anniversary Of "Knots Landing" Unveiling Costumes Exhibit at The Hollywood Museum on January 18, 2020 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Ahead of her 80th birthday, Van Ark was spotted at an event where she happily smiled for some photos. In the photos, Van Ark donned a black sweater and a white top, and had iron-straight blonde hair.

Her face was smooth and white, her eyes covered in smokey make up, and her lips were thin. Underneath one of the photos of her, a fan asked "what happened to her?" referring to her seemingly overdone facial features.

Joan Van Ark (L) and John Marshall attend the LACMA 50th Anniversary Gala on April 18, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Despite everything, Van Ark continues to enjoy the best of her life with her husband and daughter. More than being a family woman, she will be remembered for her iconic role on "Knots Landing," and as one of the world's most prolific voice-over actresses for TV, radio, and animation projects.

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