Lara Parker (1938 - 2023) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 10-16-2023, 04:55 PM

https://extratv.com/2023/10/16/lara-...ws-dies-at-84/

Lara Parker, beloved by fans of TV's "Dark Shadows" for her performance as Angelique on the original series and in a movie, has died at 84.

Friends announced her October 12 death on Facebook.

Her "Dark Shadows" co-star Kathryn Leigh Scott wrote, "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."

She went on, "We met as 'Josette' and 'Angelique' on Dark Shadows... that's how many knew us, but we knew each other as friends and confidantes. For more than 50 years, our lives were intertwined through our mutual love of literature, writing and acting. While getting on with the ordinary stuff of life, we sought each other out for encouragement, support and a trusted sounding board. We could not have been more unalike, and therein lay the magic of our enduring friendship. My thoughts are with her family in this sad time of grief and remembrance."

Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 27, 1938. She was raised in Memphis.

She made her TV debut on "Dark Shadows," the innovative Gothic soap about the lives of the rich Collins clan. Drenched in the supernatural, it was a series like no other, with Parker's Angelique Bouchard Collins used to show how the central character, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid), became a vampire. Her popularity kept Parker coming back for more.

She reprised her role in the second feature based on the series, "Night of Dark Shadows" (1971).

She worked on Broadway in 1968's "Woman Is My Idea," and acted with Robert De Niro in the early Brian De Palma film "Hi, Mom!" (1970). She had a prominent role in the film "Save the Tiger" (1973) opposite Jack Lemmon, and also appeared in "Race with the Devil" (1975) with Peter Fonda.

Some of her other memorable TV work includes an appearance on "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1975), the miniseries "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" (1977), and the short-lived series "Jessica Novak" (1981).

In 1977, Parker appeared in the pilot episode of "The Incredible Hulk" as David Banner's wife Laura, who tragically burns to death after an accident that is part of Banner's Hulk origin story.

Later in life, Parker, a regular at autograph shows, returned to Angelique, publishing four "Dark Shadows" novels (1998-2016), reading some of their audiobook recordings, and cameoing in 2012's film adaptation of "Dark Shadows," which starred Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. Eva Green played Angelique in the Tim Burton-directed critical disappointment.

Though not playing Angelique, she was reunited with some "Dark Shadows" co-stars in two "Doctor Mabuse" films (2013 & 2014), and gave her final performances on the TV show "Theatre Fantastique" (2014) and in the short film "The Job Interview" (2016).

Parker is survived by her second husband, Jim Hawkins, to whom she had been wed for more than 40 years, their daughter, and her two sons from her first marriage, to artist Tom Parker.

Willbo · 10-16-2023, 04:59 PM

I just read this. She was a beautiful and wonderful actress. Angelique is one of my favorite characters. RIP Lara and thanks for all you gave us.

Dude111 · 10-17-2023, 12:50 AM

Very sad.........

Bonniegirl · 10-17-2023, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willbo

I just read this. She was a beautiful and wonderful actress. Angelique is one of my favorite characters. RIP Lara and thanks for all you gave us.

My thoughts exactly !

Sad to hear of her passing.

May she rest in peace !

stevea · 10-17-2023, 08:53 AM

What a beautiful lady!

Rest in peace.

The second one...I hope there is not a third death coming.

80sTrivia · 10-17-2023, 12:22 PM

So sad to hear of Lara's passing... I was just thinking about her and wondering the state of her health the other day while reading about the passing of Piper Laurie and Suzanne Somers...

JamesG · 10-17-2023, 03:22 PM

I met her at NYC's Dark Shadows Fest back in 2011. Very nice lady.

80sTrivia · 10-18-2023, 03:09 PM

With Lara's passing, are Kathryn Leigh Scott, Kate Jackson, Nancy Barret, Alexandra Isles, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, David Selby and David Hennessy the only surviving members of the cast?

stevea · 10-18-2023, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I met her at NYC's Dark Shadows Fest back in 2011. Very nice lady.

I am definitely jealous! Only Lara could make me like Angelique.

stevea · 10-18-2023, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

With Lara's passing, are Kathryn Leigh Scott, Kate Jackson, Nancy Barret, Alexandra Isles, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, David Selby and David Hennessy the only surviving members of the cast?

I know Denise Nickerson died a few years ago. I think Kathy Cody may still be with us.

JamesG · 10-19-2023, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

With Lara's passing, are Kathryn Leigh Scott, Kate Jackson, Nancy Barret, Alexandra Isles, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, David Selby and David Hennessy the only surviving members of the cast?

Donna Wandrey (Roxanne)

80sTrivia · 10-19-2023, 07:39 AM

Thanks, steve & JamesG. I also discovered Sharon Smyth who played Barnabas' younger sister Sarah Collins as a child, is still alive. Jim Storm who played Gerald Stiles is alive as well at the age of 80, as is Terrayne Crawford who played Beth and Edith Collins.

stevea · 10-19-2023, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

With Lara's passing, are Kathryn Leigh Scott, Kate Jackson, Nancy Barret, Alexandra Isles, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, David Selby and David Hennessy the only surviving members of the cast?

I thought read Jerry Lacy had died. I haven't checked, so I could be wrong.

80sTrivia · 10-19-2023, 06:16 PM

According to Wikipedia & imdb, he's still alive at 87-years-old. I didn't realize he was married to actress Julia Duffy (Newhart)!

Penny Lane · 10-22-2023, 04:14 PM

So saddened to learn of Lara's death. I watched dark Shadows religiously when I was in my teens in the 60's. She had the most beautiful eyes!

10-16-2023, 04:55 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Lara Parker (1938 - 2023) https://extratv.com/2023/10/16/lara-...ws-dies-at-84/ Lara Parker, beloved by fans of TV's "Dark Shadows" for her performance as Angelique on the original series and in a movie, has died at 84. Friends announced her October 12 death on Facebook. Her "Dark Shadows" co-star Kathryn Leigh Scott wrote, "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." She went on, "We met as 'Josette' and 'Angelique' on Dark Shadows... that's how many knew us, but we knew each other as friends and confidantes. For more than 50 years, our lives were intertwined through our mutual love of literature, writing and acting. While getting on with the ordinary stuff of life, we sought each other out for encouragement, support and a trusted sounding board. We could not have been more unalike, and therein lay the magic of our enduring friendship. My thoughts are with her family in this sad time of grief and remembrance." Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 27, 1938. She was raised in Memphis. She made her TV debut on "Dark Shadows," the innovative Gothic soap about the lives of the rich Collins clan. Drenched in the supernatural, it was a series like no other, with Parker's Angelique Bouchard Collins used to show how the central character, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid), became a vampire. Her popularity kept Parker coming back for more. She reprised her role in the second feature based on the series, "Night of Dark Shadows" (1971). She worked on Broadway in 1968's "Woman Is My Idea," and acted with Robert De Niro in the early Brian De Palma film "Hi, Mom!" (1970). She had a prominent role in the film "Save the Tiger" (1973) opposite Jack Lemmon, and also appeared in "Race with the Devil" (1975) with Peter Fonda. Some of her other memorable TV work includes an appearance on "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1975), the miniseries "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" (1977), and the short-lived series "Jessica Novak" (1981). In 1977, Parker appeared in the pilot episode of "The Incredible Hulk" as David Banner's wife Laura, who tragically burns to death after an accident that is part of Banner's Hulk origin story. Later in life, Parker, a regular at autograph shows, returned to Angelique, publishing four "Dark Shadows" novels (1998-2016), reading some of their audiobook recordings, and cameoing in 2012's film adaptation of "Dark Shadows," which starred Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. Eva Green played Angelique in the Tim Burton-directed critical disappointment. Though not playing Angelique, she was reunited with some "Dark Shadows" co-stars in two "Doctor Mabuse" films (2013 & 2014), and gave her final performances on the TV show "Theatre Fantastique" (2014) and in the short film "The Job Interview" (2016). Parker is survived by her second husband, Jim Hawkins, to whom she had been wed for more than 40 years, their daughter, and her two sons from her first marriage, to artist Tom Parker.

10-17-2023, 12:22 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	So sad to hear of Lara's passing... I was just thinking about her and wondering the state of her health the other day while reading about the passing of Piper Laurie and Suzanne Somers...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

10-17-2023, 03:22 PM	#7
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,961	I met her at NYC's Dark Shadows Fest back in 2011. Very nice lady. Attached Images

10-22-2023, 04:14 PM	#15
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 50,944	So saddened to learn of Lara's death. I watched dark Shadows religiously when I was in my teens in the 60's. She had the most beautiful eyes! Attached Images
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10-16-2023, 04:59 PM	#2
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 859	I just read this. She was a beautiful and wonderful actress. Angelique is one of my favorite characters. RIP Lara and thanks for all you gave us.

10-17-2023, 12:50 AM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,423	Very sad.........

10-17-2023, 08:53 AM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,205	What a beautiful lady! Rest in peace. The second one...I hope there is not a third death coming.

10-18-2023, 03:09 PM	#8
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	With Lara's passing, are Kathryn Leigh Scott, Kate Jackson, Nancy Barret, Alexandra Isles, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, David Selby and David Hennessy the only surviving members of the cast?

10-19-2023, 07:39 AM	#12
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Thanks, steve & JamesG. I also discovered Sharon Smyth who played Barnabas' younger sister Sarah Collins as a child, is still alive. Jim Storm who played Gerald Stiles is alive as well at the age of 80, as is Terrayne Crawford who played Beth and Edith Collins.

10-19-2023, 06:16 PM	#14
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	According to Wikipedia & imdb, he's still alive at 87-years-old. I didn't realize he was married to actress Julia Duffy (Newhart)!