Dark Shadows alum Lara Parker has died at the age of 84. The actress was best known for her role as enigmatic Angelique Bouchard Collins on the soap opera.
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Lara Parker’s Death Was Announced on Facebook
Parker’s death was announced on Facebook by her friend and Dark Shadows co-star Kathryn Leigh Scott: “I have sad news . . . my beautiful, beloved friend Lara Parker passed away Thursday, October 12. I’m heartbroken, as all of us are who knew and loved her.
She graced our lives with her beauty and talent, and we are all richer for having had her in our lives. Family meant more than anything to Lara, and they have wanted these few days since her passing to themselves. Rest in peace, my cherished friend.”
In addition to Dark Shadows, Parker’s acting credits included the role of Laura in the pilot episode of The Incredible Hulk, as well as roles on The Six Million Dollar Man, Barnaby Jones, and Police Woman.
Lara Parker Dead at 84
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Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey on October 27, 1938 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Rhodes College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and later attended the University of Iowa where she earned a Master of Arts degree in speech and drama.
Parker’s legendary role as Angelique on the groundbreaking soap Dark Shadows was her most famous role.
But she told Craig Hamrick in an interview on her website: “I’m still shy. And I’m actually a very sweet, unselfish person. Not at all like Angelique. I would never have the courage to do the things she did.”
Dark Shadows Actress Dead
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Parker also appeared on the CBS soap opera Capitol (1985-86) and she starred in the 1977 ABC mini-series Washington: Behind Closed Doors.
She was also featured together with Peter Fonda and Loretta Swit on M*A*S*H and starred with Warren Oates in the 1975 movie Race with the Devil.
Lara Parker Played Angelique On Dark Shadows
Parker starred in two big screen versions of Dark Shadows, playing Angelique in 1970’s Night of Dark Shadows with David Selby (Richard, Falcon Crest) as Quentin and Kate Jackson (Charlie’s Angels) as Tracy. In 2012 she had a cameo appearance in the Dark Shadows version starring Johnny Depp.
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Soap Actress Dead at 84
Parker also wrote the books Angelique’s Descent, Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch, and Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising and more recently played her signature role of Angelique for a series of Dark Shadows audio shows.
Parker is survived by two sons, Rick and Andy, from her first marriage to Tom Parker. She was wed to Jim Hawkins and they share a daughter, Caitlin.
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RIP Lara Parker! You were an amazing actress. I grew up on Dark Shadows and my maiden name WAS Collins. Thanks for making my younger self happy, entertained.