Joan Van Ark Quotes

Powerful Joan Van Ark for Daily Growth

About Joan Van Ark

Joan van Ark, born on August 16, 1943, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an acclaimed American actress and singer-songwriter known for her captivating performances on both television and stage. Her acting journey began in the late 1960s, where she appeared in several Off-Broadway productions, including 'Hair' and 'Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.' In 1975, she rose to prominence with her portrayal of Valene Ewing on the popular primetime soap opera 'Dallas,' a role that earned her five consecutive Golden Globe nominations from 1980-1984. Beyond television, van Ark has made significant contributions to musical theater. She originated the role of Fantine in the Los Angeles production of 'Les Misérables' and performed in numerous productions of Stephen Sondheim's 'Sweeney Todd.' Throughout her career, van Ark has been inspired by a variety of artists, including Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins, and Carol Burnett. This influence can be seen in her own music, which she began to pursue professionally in the 1970s, releasing several albums over the years. In addition to her acting and singing careers, van Ark is an advocate for animal rights and has been actively involved with organizations like PETA and The Humane Society of the United States. She continues to work in both film and theater, demonstrating her versatility as an artist and commitment to her craft. Joan van Ark's legacy lies in her ability to captivate audiences through her performances, whether on screen or stage, and her advocacy for animal rights serves as a testament to her compassionate spirit.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is a series of choices, and every choice we make determines our next step."

Joan Van Ark's quote emphasizes the power and significance of choices in shaping our lives. The implication here is that our lives progress through a chain of decisions we make, and each decision propels us to our next destination or experience. In other words, every choice we make plays a pivotal role in determining our future paths, and ultimately, the trajectory of our life's journey. It reminds us that we hold the reins of our own lives, and how we wield those choices will define the course our lives take.


"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

This quote emphasizes the significance of continuous questioning and a curious mindset. By advocating for unceasing inquiry, Van Ark suggests that curiosity inherently possesses an intrinsic value. In essence, she is highlighting the importance of questioning not just for acquiring knowledge but also as a way to foster intellectual growth, stimulate creativity, and enrich our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


"When we truly love someone, we give them the power to make us happy or sad; to be our greatest joy or our deepest pain."

This quote suggests that when we deeply care for someone, their actions have a profound impact on our emotions, bringing either immense joy or intense pain. It implies an acceptance of vulnerability in a relationship, acknowledging that love involves surrendering control over one's happiness to another person. This understanding can inspire greater empathy and a deeper connection between individuals as they navigate the complexities of love together.


"Success is a journey, not a destination. It's about how well you can embrace change along the way."

This quote by Joan Van Ark highlights that success is not an ultimate, unchanging state to be reached, but rather a continual process of growth and adaptation. Embracing change is crucial in this journey because it's inevitable in life and work, and how we respond to these changes determines our level of success. In essence, the quote emphasizes the importance of flexibility, resilience, and a positive attitude towards change as key components of personal and professional growth.


"Never let go of your dreams, because they are what will keep you going when times get tough."

This quote highlights the importance of holding onto one's aspirations and goals during challenging times. Dreams serve as a source of motivation and resilience, helping individuals to persevere even in the face of adversity. By keeping their dreams alive, people can find the strength and determination necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve their objectives. In essence, dreams provide a beacon of hope that guides us forward through difficult circumstances.


They wanted to make her less rural, less of a cartoon. Not that Southern woman are cartoonish - they're the strongest women in this country, but with Val they wanted to take the stereotypical things out.

- Joan Van Ark

Woman, Country, Southern, Val

I had been doing plays in New York and on a whim we packed up and moved West, I started doing commercials and plays and guest star spots on TV and one thing led to another and I got Knots Landing.

- Joan Van Ark

Doing, Been, Whim, Guest Star

It was understood that when I left to do the pilot that I wasn't coming back.

- Joan Van Ark

Pilot, Back, Left, Understood

I want to play trailer trash; I swear to God.

- Joan Van Ark

God, Play, Want, Trailer

A couple of years ago I ran in the LA Marathon.

- Joan Van Ark

Marathon, Couple, La

When you're on a long running series, you reach a very rarefied, high oxygen area and after a while to keep a show on the air they have to make some very drastic changes.

- Joan Van Ark

Some, Very, Area, Oxygen

I need to run every day. If I don't I feel cheated.

- Joan Van Ark

Every Day, Feel, Need, Cheated

I didn't even know Michele before we started the show but we became great friends, and still are.

- Joan Van Ark

Before, Still, Became, Great Friends

My brother Mark still lives in the house we grew up in.

- Joan Van Ark

Still, Up, Lives, Mark

When I become the village idiot, or at least, it starts to become a joke, you can't do that much longer.

- Joan Van Ark

Idiot, Longer, Least, Joke

David Jacobs is a great influence on my life, has taught me so much about so many things.

- Joan Van Ark

My Life, About, Many, David

When two characters or two actresses are together for a while there is bound to be chemistry developing.

- Joan Van Ark

Chemistry, Characters, Bound

Knots was about the relationships that were built over many years.

- Joan Van Ark

Relationships, Over, Built, Knots

You've got to realize that any lady on a soap is devoting her life to it, 24/7.

- Joan Van Ark

Her, Got, Any, Lady

So I had all the names, three names, and that's good to have on a soap.

- Joan Van Ark

Good, Three, Had, Names

When I'm not involved in an acting job I try to run 10 miles a day.

- Joan Van Ark

Run, Try, Involved, Miles

Running is a great way to relieve stress and clear the mind.

- Joan Van Ark

Stress, Mind, Running, Great Way

I'm Presbyterian and I don't go to church very much.

- Joan Van Ark

Church, Go, Very, Presbyterian

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