Lara Parker, renowned for her portrayal of the character Angelique Bouchard in the television series Dark Shadows, has passed away. Parker peacefully departed in her sleep on Thursday morning at her residence in Los Angeles, as confirmed by her Dark Shadows co-star Kathryn L. Scott on Facebook this Monday. She was due to commemorate her 85th birthday in the upcoming week.
Sympathies And Condolences
Scott stated, Throughout a span of more than fifty years, our lives have been intricately connected due to our mutual ardor for literature, writing, and acting. Despite our stark differences, it was precisely this contrast that made our enduring friendship magical.
Caitlin Hawkins, the offspring of Parker, has also attested to her mother's passing in a provided declaration. Born as Mary Lamar Rickey on October 27, 1938, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the actress embarked on her career after relocating to New York, where she secured the role of Angelique in the ABC soap series during only her second professional audition.
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She Acquired Her Bachelor's Degree
Before commencing her professional career, Parker enrolled at Vassar College in New York, where she resided with Jane Fonda. Subsequently, she obtained her undergraduate degree from Southwestern at Memphis, presently known as Rhodes College. The Tennessee native then pursued a master's degree in drama from the University of Iowa.
Following the completion of her academic pursuits, she entered into matrimony with her first spouse, Tom Parker, with whom she bore two sons, Rick and Andy Parker. However, after residing in Wisconsin with her children, she embarked on a journey to New York City to join Dan Curtis' Television Series, Dark Shadows.
Romantic Propositions
The television series was broadcast from 1966 to 1971 and chronicled the lives of the founding family of the fictional town of Collinsport, Maine. At the outset of the series, Barnabas Collins spurns the romantic advances of Angelique, a character portrayed by Parker, who then proceeds to curse him, transforming him into a vampire.
Following her act of vengeance, the two characters engage in a tumultuous love-hate relationship that spans centuries. In 2022, the actress reflected on the show's popularity, stating that the cast was frequently recognized wherever they went.
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A Character Has Come Forth
Outside the Manhattan studio, a large crowd of autograph seekers would gather every afternoon, with some individuals showing up day after day to worship certain cast members and even escort them to the subway. Parker also noted that Angelique's character emerged during the early stages of the women's movement and was portrayed as a fiercely independent woman.
During her tenure on the television show Dark Shadows, the actress subsequently appeared in a film adaptation of the series titled Night of Dark Shadows in 1971. Additionally, in the year prior, she had a role in Hi, Mom!, a film directed by Brian De Palma and featuring Robert De Niro.
The Couple Subsequently Welcomed A Daughter
Subsequent to the culmination of the series, she uprooted herself to the city of Los Angeles, embarking on the trajectory of her acting vocation along the Western shores. In the annus mirabilis of 1975, she severed matrimonial ties with her inaugural spouse, subsequently crossing paths with her second consort, Jim Hawkins, culminating in nuptial vows exchanged in the year 1980.
This conjugal union subsequently ushered in the birth of their progeny, a daughter christened Caitlin, in the year 1985. The actress also had notable roles in the 1973 Oscar-winning film Save the Tiger, as well as Race with the Devil in 1975, where she acted alongside Peter Fonda, the brother of her former roommate.
The Appearances In A Diverse Range Of Television Series
Furthermore, Parker appeared in various television series, including Jessica Novak, Medical Center, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Police Woman, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and The Incredible Hulk.
In more recent years, specifically in 2013 and 2014, the actress became involved in two Doctor Mabuse films. Before her involvement in Doctor Mabuse, she made a brief appearance in Tim Burton's 2012 remake, Dark Shadows, which featured Johnny Depp as Barnabas and Eva Green as Angelique.
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Survived By Her Second Spouse
As her acting career progressed, the performer also ventured into writing and expanded the Dark Shadows universe, more than 25 years after the original series concluded. In 1998, Parker authored Dark Shadows: Angelique's Descent, followed by Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch in 2006, Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising in 2013, and Dark Shadows: Heiress of Collinwood in 2016.
Parker is survived by her second husband, Jim Hawkins, as well as her children Caitlin, Rick, and Andy. Additionally, her daughters-in-law Miranda and Celia, and her grandson, Wesley, also mourn her passing.