Editing Lara Parker

{{Cast Data|series=1980|image=Cast - Lara Parker c. 2012 CE.jpg|character=[[Shirley Blore]]|born_month=10|born_day=27|born_year=1938|death_month=10|death_day=12|death_year=2023|nationality=US|imdb=0662430|sortkey=Parker, Lara|image2=Shirley.jpg}}

'''Lara Parker''' (born '''Mary Lamar Rickey'''; October 27, 1938 – October 12, 2023) was an American actress and author who portrayed [[Shirley Blore]] in the two-part ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed]]".<ref name="imdb_galactica1980_cast" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0080221/fullcredits/|title=Galactica 1980 (TV Series 1980) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She is best remembered for her iconic role as the witch Angelique Bouchard Collins on the gothic soap opera ''[[w:Dark Shadows|Dark Shadows]]'' from 1967 to 1971.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=Lara%20Parker%2C%20who%20as%20the%20vengeful%20witch%20Angelique%20Bouchard%20spent%20centuries%20entangled%20in%20a%20love%2Dhate%20relationship%20with%20Jonathan%20Frid's%20Barnabas%20Collins%20on%20the%20gothic%20ABC%20soap%20opera%20Dark%20Shadows%2C%20has%20died.%20She%20was%2084.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey in [[w:Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville, Tennessee]], and grew up in [[w:Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]].<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_birthplace" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=Parker%20was%20born%20Mary%20Lamar%20Rickey%20on%20Oct.%2027%2C%201938%2C%20in%20Knoxville%2C%20Tennessee.%20Her%20father%2C%20Albert%2C%20was%20an%20attorney%2C%20and%20her%20mother%2C%20Ann%2C%20was%20active%20in%20civic%20groups.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She was a descendant of a prominent Southern family, the great-great-granddaughter of [[w:Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II|Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II]], a revered Southern statesman who served as a United States Supreme Court Justice following the Civil War and was lauded in a chapter of [[w:John F. Kennedy|John F. Kennedy]]'s [[w:Profiles in Courage|Pulitzer Prize-winning book ''Profiles in Courage'']].<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_lamar" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=Lara%20Parker%20was%20born%20in%20Knoxville%2C%20Tennessee%2C%20and%20grew%20up%20in%20Memphis.%20She%20was%20named%20Mary%20Lamar%20Rickey%20and%20was%20always%20called%20Lamar%20by%20her%20family.%20Lamar%20is%20a%20family%20name%2C%20that%20of%20her%20great%2C%20great%20grandfather%2C%20L.Q.C.%20Lamar%2C%20who%20was%20a%20revered%20Southern%20statesman%20and%20a%20supreme%20court%20justice%20after%20the%20Civil%20War.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She was also a third-great-granddaughter of [[w:Augustus Baldwin Longstreet|Augustus Baldwin Longstreet]], an uncle of Confederate General [[w:James Longstreet|James Longstreet]].<ref name="tate_houser_what_america_watched" group="external">{{cite book|title=What America Watched: Television Favorites from the Cornfields to the Cosmos, 1960s-1990s|author=Marsh Ann Tate and Earl Houser|publisher=McFarland|year=2022|page=157|isbn=9781476644653}}</ref>

Parker attended Central High School in Memphis and won a scholarship to [[w:Vassar College|Vassar College]], where she roomed with [[w:Jane Fonda|Jane Fonda]].<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_vassar" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=She%20graduated%20from%20Central%20High%20School%20in%20Memphis%20and%20attended%20Vassar%20%E2%80%94%20she%20roomed%20with%20Jane%20Fonda%20there%20%E2%80%94%20and%20Rhodes%20College%20in%20Memphis|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She began a major in philosophy at Vassar, which she completed at [[w:Rhodes College|Rhodes College]] (then known as Southwestern Presbyterian) in Memphis, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_education" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=Lara%20attended%20Central%20High%20School%20and%20won%20a%20scholarship%20to%20Vassar%20College%20where%20she%20began%20a%20major%20in%20Philosophy%20which%20she%20completed%20at%20Southwestern%20at%20Memphis%20(now%20called%20Rhodes%20College)%2C%20receiving%20her%20B.A.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> At 19, while at Rhodes College, she served as [[w:Wink Martindale|Wink Martindale]]'s assistant on his WHBQ-TV show, ''Dance Party''.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_martindale" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=Rhodes%20College%20in%20Memphis%2C%20where%20at%2019%20she%20served%20as%20Wink%20Martindale's%20assistant%20on%20his%20WHBQ%2DTV%20show%2C%20Dance%20Part|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

She attended graduate school at the [[w:University of Iowa|University of Iowa]] and completed all course work for a Master of Arts degree in speech and drama.<ref name="imdb_parker_biography" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/#:~:text=She%20attended%20graduate%20school%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Iowa%20and%20completed%20all%20course%20work%20on%20a%20Masters%20in%20speech%20and%20drama.|title=Lara Parker - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> During the summer when Parker was supposed to write her thesis, she acted at the Millbrook Playhouse in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, playing five leading roles in six weeks.<ref name="laraparkerinfo_biography_millbrook" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.laraparkerinfo.com/biography#:~:text=While%20writing%20her%20thesis%20in%20drama%20at%20the%20University%20of%20Iowa%2C%20Lara%20played%20five%20lead%20roles%20in%20six%20weeks%20at%20the%20Millbrook%20Playhouse%20in%20Loch%20Haven%2C%20PA.|title=Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Fan Page|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Rather than returning to Iowa to complete her thesis, she decided to pursue acting professionally in New York City.<ref name="imdb_parker_biography_newyork" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/#:~:text=Rather%20than%20returning%20to%20Iowa%2C%20she%20decided%20to%20try%20her%20luck%20in%20New%20York.|title=Lara Parker - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Acting Career ==

=== Dark Shadows ===
During only her second week in New York City in 1967, Parker auditioned for ''Dark Shadows'' creator [[w:Dan Curtis (director)|Dan Curtis]], who cast her as Angelique in a story arc that would detail the origin of the tortured vampire Barnabas Collins.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_casting" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=Mere%20days%20after%20arriving%20in%20New%20York%20in%201967%2C%20the%20green%2Deyed%20Parker%20auditioned%20for%20Dark%20Shadows%20creator%20Dan%20Curtis%2C%20who%20cast%20her%20as%20Angelique%20in%20a%20story%20arc%20that%20would%20detail%20the%20origin%20of%20the%20tortured%20vampire%20Barnabas.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name="companion_parker_audition" group="external">{{cite book|title=The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection|editor=Kathryn Leigh Scott and Jim Pierson|publisher=Pomegranate Press, Ltd.|location=Los Angeles and London|year=1990|page=209}}</ref> The role would define her career. In the series, set in the fictional Collinsport, Maine, Barnabas Collins in 1795 seduced and abandoned a servant girl from Martinique not realizing she was a witch. An enraged Angelique damned Barnabas to eternal life as a vampire, kicking off a battle between the two that would continue through different time periods.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_storyline" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=A%20soldier%20and%20the%20son%20of%20a%20shipping%20magnate%2C%20Barnabas%20in%201795%20seduced%20and%20abandoned%20a%20servant%20girl%20from%20Martinique%20not%20realizing%20she%20was%20a%20witch.%20That%20girl%20was%20Angelique.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker approached the character with depth and sympathy. She explained in a 2016 interview that she played Angelique as a tragic figure desperately in love, whose heart was broken, rather than simply as a mean witch. She felt that Angelique's acts were acts of desperation, not acts of evil.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_angelique_interpretation" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20played%20her%20as%20somebody%20who%20was%20much%20more%20of%20a%20tragic%20figure%2C%20who%20was%20desperately%2C%20desperately%20in%20love%2C%E2%80%9D%20Parker%20said%20in%202016.%20%E2%80%9CAnd%20her%20heart%20was%20broken.%20That's%20much%20more%20sympathetic%20than%20just%20being%20a%20mean%20old%20witch.%20I%20felt%20that%20her%20acts%20were%20acts%20of%20desperation%2C%20not%20acts%20of%20evil.%E2%80%9D|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

During the show's run, Curtis would repeatedly kill off Parker's character, only to bring her back due to fan demand. Parker recalled in 2020 that Curtis would call and say, "You've been great, kiddo, but we're going to kill your character. Thanks a lot for everything." About two months later, the producers would call and ask her to return. She and Jonathan Frid were considered the "first team," and fans seemed to watch more when Angelique and Barnabas were fighting it out, which became the most popular part of the show.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_recurring" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDan%20Curtis%20%5Bwould%20call%20Parker%20and%20say%5D%2C%20'You've%20been%20great%2C%20kiddo%2C%20but%20we're%20going%20to%20kill%20your%20character.%20Thanks%20a%20lot%20for%20everything%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20recalled%20in%202020.%20%E2%80%9COf%20course%20I%20was%20very%20sad%2C%20but%20about%20two%20months%20later%20they%20called%20me%20and%20said%20that%20they%20wanted%20me%20back.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Parker remained with the series until its cancellation in April 1971.<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_cancellation" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=Parker%2C%20who%20would%20stay%20with%20the%20series%20until%20its%20cancellation%20in%201971|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

While still appearing on ''Dark Shadows'', Parker made her [[w:Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in 1968 in ''Woman is My Idea'', written and directed by Don C. Liljenquist.<ref name="willis_theatre_world" group="external">{{cite book|title=Theatre World, Volume 26, 1969–1970|author=John Willis|publisher=Crown Publishers Inc.|location=New York|year=1970|pages=127, 255}}</ref> She also appeared in two [[w:Off-Broadway|Off-Broadway]] productions: ''[[w:Lulu (play)|Lulu]]'' by [[w:Frank Wedekind|Frank Wedekind]] in 1969, where she played the title role, and ''A Gun Play''.<ref name="imdb_parker_biography_offbroadway" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/#:~:text=While%20still%20in%20New%20York%2C%20Lara%20appeared%20on%20Broadway%20in%20%22Woman%20is%20My%20Idea%22%2C%20as%20well%20as%20in%20two%20off%2DBroadway%20plays%3A%20%22Lulu%22%20and%20%22A%20Gun%20Play%22.|title=Lara Parker - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

In 1971, Parker reprised the role of Angelique in ''[[w:Night of Dark Shadows|Night of Dark Shadows]]'', the second feature film based on ''Dark Shadows''. She was joined by her ''Dark Shadows'' castmates [[w:Kate Jackson|Kate Jackson]], [[w:David Selby|David Selby]], [[w:Grayson Hall|Grayson Hall]], [[w:Nancy Barrett|Nancy Barrett]], [[w:John Karlen|John Karlen]], and [[w:Thayer David|Thayer David]].<ref name="scott_pierson_movie_book" group="external">{{cite book|title=The Dark Shadows Movie Book|editor=Kathryn Leigh Scott and Jim Pierson|publisher=Pomegranate Press, Ltd.|location=Los Angeles and London|year=1998|pages=23, 26}}</ref>

=== Film and Television ===
After ''Dark Shadows'' ended, Parker moved to Los Angeles in 1972 with her then-husband and two small sons, expecting the phenomenon that had been daytime's first supernatural soap to open Hollywood's doors.<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_losangeles" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=Leaving%20New%20York%20City%2C%20where%20Shadows%20was%20taped%2C%20for%20Los%20Angeles%20with%20her%20then%2Dhusband%20and%20two%20small%20sons%2C%20Parker%20often%20would%20say%20in%20interviews%20and%20at%20the%20many%20Dark%20Shadows%20conventions%20she%20attended%20that%20she%20expected%20the%20four%2Dyear%20phenomenon%20that%20had%20been%20daytime's%20first%20supernatural%20soap%20to%20open%20Hollywood's%20doors.|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker appeared opposite [[w:Robert De Niro|Robert De Niro]] in the 1970 [[w:Brian De Palma|Brian De Palma]] film ''[[w:Hi, Mom!|Hi, Mom!]]'', but her best known film role came in the [[w:Academy Award|Academy Award]]-winning drama ''[[w:Save the Tiger|Save the Tiger]]'' (1973), directed by [[w:John G. Avildsen|John G. Avildsen]] and starring [[w:Jack Lemmon|Jack Lemmon]] in an Oscar-winning performance. Parker played Margo, a sympathetic prostitute who is devastated when her client Fred Mirrell ([[w:Norman Burton|Norman Burton]]) suffers a near-fatal heart attack.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_savethetiger" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=On%20the%20big%20screen%2C%20Parker%20stood%20out%20as%20a%20prostitute%20whose%20client%20has%20a%20heart%20attack%20in%20John%20G.%20Avildsen's%20Save%20the%20Tiger%20(1973)%2C%20starring%20Jack%20Lemmon%20in%20an%20Oscar%2Dwinning%20turn|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> In 1975, she played Kelly Marsh, the wife of [[w:Peter Fonda|Peter Fonda]]'s character Roger, in the satanic horror film ''[[w:Race with the Devil|Race with the Devil]]'', which also featured [[w:Warren Oates|Warren Oates]] and [[w:Loretta Swit|Loretta Swit]].<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_racewiththedevil" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=she%20played%20the%20wife%20of%20Peter%20Fonda's%20character%20in%20the%20satanic%20horror%20film%20Race%20With%20the%20Devil%20(1975)%2C%20also%20featuring%20Warren%20Oates%20and%20Loretta%20Swit.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

In 1977, Parker played Laura Banner in the opening sequence of the pilot for the television series ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', portraying [[w:David Banner|David Banner]]'s wife who tragically burns to death after an accident that is part of Banner's Hulk origin story.<ref name="extratv_parker_obit_hulk" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://extratv.com/2023/10/16/lara-parker-angelique-on-cult-favorite-dark-shadows-dies-at-84/#:~:text=In%201977%2C%20Parker%20appeared%20in%20the%20pilot%20episode%20of%20%22The%20Incredible%20Hulk%22%20as%20David%20Banner's%20wife%20Laura%2C%20who%20tragically%20burns%20to%20death%20after%20an%20accident%20that%20is%20part%20of%20Banner's%20Hulk%20origin%20story.|title=Lara Parker, Angelique on Cult Favorite 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|publisher=Extra|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker's extensive television work included guest appearances on numerous popular series. She appeared in episodes of ''[[w:Kung Fu (TV series)|Kung Fu]]'', ''[[w:The Six Million Dollar Man|The Six Million Dollar Man]]'' (the second season episode "The Deadly Replay"), ''[[w:Police Woman (TV series)|Police Woman]]'', ''[[w:Kojak|Kojak]]'', ''[[w:Alice (TV series)|Alice]]'', ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]'', ''[[w:Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]'', ''[[w:The Rockford Files|The Rockford Files]]'', ''[[w:Highway to Heaven|Highway to Heaven]]'', ''[[w:Switch (TV series)|Switch]]'', ''[[w:Baretta|Baretta]]'', ''[[w:Barnaby Jones|Barnaby Jones]]'' (the episode "The Price of Anger"), the CBS daytime serial ''[[w:Capitol (TV series)|Capitol]]'', and the ABC daytime serial ''[[w:One Life to Live|One Life to Live]]''.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_television" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=Lara%20moved%20to%20Los%20Angeles%20in%201972%20and%20began%20working%20in%20primetime%20television.%20She%20guest%20starred%20in%20numerous%20shows%20including%20Hawaii%205%2D0%2C%20Doctor's%20Hospital%2C%20Switch%2C%20Kung%20Fu%2C%20The%20Incredible%20Hulk%2C%20Remington%20Steele%20and%20Galactica%201980.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She also played secretary Wanda in the 1977 television miniseries ''[[w:Washington: Behind Closed Doors|Washington: Behind Closed Doors]]'' and had a recurring role in the short-lived television series ''[[w:Jessica Novak|Jessica Novak]]'' (1981).<ref name="variety_parker_obit_television" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235758291/#:~:text=After%20the%20end%20of%20the%20daytime%20serial%2C%20Parker%20starred%20in%20other%20films%20and%20television%20shows%2C%20including%20the%20film%20%E2%80%9CSave%20the%20Tiger%E2%80%9D%20(1973)%2C%20drama%20television%20series%20%E2%80%9CJessica%20Novak%E2%80%9D%20(1981)|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Star Was 84|author=Valerie Wu|publisher=Variety|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

In 1975, she played the fashion model-witch Madelaine in the ''[[w:Kolchak: The Night Stalker|Kolchak: The Night Stalker]]'' episode "The Trevi Collection." She would not remember that job fondly, recalling years later the stinging rudeness of star [[w:Darren McGavin|Darren McGavin]], who apparently had no idea who she was when he suggested that she would need practice to learn to play a witch.<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_kolchak" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=in%201975%2C%20a%20one%2Doff%20role%20as%20yet%20another%20witch%20in%20a%20Curtis%20production%2C%20Kolchak%3A%20The%20Night%20Stalker.%20She%20would%20not%20remember%20that%20job%20fondly%2C%20recalling%20years%20later%20the%20stinging%20rudeness%20of%20star%20Darren%20McGavin%2C%20who%20apparently%20had%20no%20idea%20who%20she%20was%20when%20he%20suggested%20that%20she'd%20need%20practice%20to%20learn%20to%20play%20a%20witch.|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

=== Galactica 1980 ===
In 1980, Parker appeared in both parts of the ''Galactica 1980'' two-part episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed]]" as '''Shirley Blore''', the wife of radio station manager Norman Blore ([[w:William Daniels|William Daniels]]).<ref name="imdb_nightcylonslanded_cast" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585502/characters/nm0662430|title=The Night the Cylons Landed (TV Episode 1980) - Lara Parker as Shirley Blore|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> The episodes, which aired on April 13 and April 20, 1980, featured a Halloween costume party attended by the Blores, where Cylons infiltrate with plans to use Norman's radio station to broadcast Earth's location to the Cylon fleet.<ref name="themindreels_nightcylonslanded" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://themindreels.com/2023/11/21/galactica-1980-1980-the-night-the-cylons-landed-part-i-and-part-ii/#:~:text=The%20partygoers%20are%20portrayed%20by%20Lara%20Parker%20and%20William%20Daniels|title=Galactica 1980 (1980) – The Night the Cylons Landed Part I, and Part II|publisher=The Mind Reels|date=November 7, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker recalled in a 2013 interview that she remembered the production featuring many costumes, including a costume party. She noted her friendship with co-star [[Roger Davis]] from ''Dark Shadows'', mentioning that Davis had become a builder and that her husband Jim Hawkins was also a builder, so Davis would frequently call him. She also noted that ''Galactica 1980'' producer [[Glen A. Larson]] used her in several productions, as well as using Roger Davis in multiple projects.<ref name="collinsport_outoftheshadows" group="external">{{cite web|url=http://www.collinsporthistoricalsociety.com/2013/06/out-of-shadows-lara-parker.html?m=1#:~:text=GALACTICA%201980%20(1980)%20%2D%20Shirley%20Blore%20I%20remember%20a%20lot%20of%20costumes.%20Wasn't%20there%20some%20kind%20of%20costume%20party%3F%20Roger%20(Davis)%20and%20I%20are%20friends.%20We%20talk%20on%20the%20phone%20and%20see%20each%20other%20every%20so%20often.%20He's%20a%20builder%20now%2C%20he%20builds%20houses%20in%20Hollywood.%20My%20husband%20is%20a%20builder%2C%20so%20Roger%20calls%20(him)%20a%20lot%2C%20so%20it%20was%20nothing%20new%20seeing%20him%20on%20the%20set.%20Glen%20Larson%2C%20who%20was%20the%20producer%2C%20used%20me%20in%20several%20things%2C%20and%20he%20used%20Roger%20in%20several%20things.|title=OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Lara Parker|publisher=The Collinsport Historical Society|date=June 2013|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

=== Later Career ===
In 2012, Parker had a cameo role in [[w:Tim Burton|Tim Burton]]'s movie version of ''Dark Shadows'', which starred [[w:Johnny Depp|Johnny Depp]] as Barnabas and [[w:Eva Green|Eva Green]] as Angelique.<ref name="variety_parker_obit_burton" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235758291/#:~:text=Parker%20later%20starred%20in%20the%20film%20%E2%80%9CNight%20of%20Dark%20Shadows%E2%80%9D%20(1971)%2C%20based%20on%20the%20series%2C%20and%20made%20a%20cameo%20in%20the%202012%20film%20%E2%80%9CDark%20Shadows%2C%E2%80%9D%20a%20remake%20of%20the%20original%20TV%20series%20starring%20Johnny%20Depp%20as%20Barnabas%20and%20Eva%20Green%20as%20Angelique.|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Star Was 84|author=Valerie Wu|publisher=Variety|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She was reunited with her ''Dark Shadows'' co-stars [[w:Jerry Lacy|Jerry Lacy]] and [[w:Kathryn Leigh Scott|Kathryn Leigh Scott]] in two feature films about [[w:Doctor Mabuse|Doctor Mabuse]] written and directed by Ansel Faraj: ''Doctor Mabuse'' (2013) and ''Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar'' (2014).<ref name="hollinsworth_doctormabuse" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollinsworthproductions.com/doctor-mabuse.html|title=Doctor Mabuse|publisher=Hollinsworth Productions|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Her final film, ''The Great Nick D'' (shot in 2023), was co-written and co-directed by Ansel Faraj and Nathan Wilson and co-starred her ''Dark Shadows'' co-stars Kathryn Leigh Scott and David Selby.<ref name="imdb_parker_filmography" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/|title=Lara Parker|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker reprised the role of Angelique for a new series of ''Dark Shadows'' audio dramas produced by [[w:Big Finish Productions|Big Finish Productions]] from 2007 to 2017.<ref name="bigfinish_parker_obit" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/lara-parker-1938-2023#:~:text=In%201967%2C%20Lara%20Parker%20was%20cast%20in%20the%20gothic%20US%20daytime%20TV%20series%20Dark%20Shadows%2C%20joining%20to%20play%20beautiful%20and%20vengeful%20witch%2C%20Angelique%20Bouchard%2C%20the%20part%20for%20which%20she%20would%20become%20best%20known.|title=Lara Parker 1938-2023|publisher=Big Finish Productions|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Big Finish writer and producer Stuart Manning noted that Lara Parker's laugh was the very first thing recorded on the very first day of the company's ''Dark Shadows'' audio stories, with Parker slipping back into Angelique as if no time had passed.<ref name="bigfinish_parker_obit_manning" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/lara-parker-1938-2023#:~:text=Lara%20Parker's%20laugh%20was%20the%20very%20first%20thing%20recorded%20on%20the%20very%20first%20day%20of%20Big%20Finish's%20Dark%20Shadows%20stories%2C%20slipping%20back%20into%20Angelique%20as%20if%20no%20time%20had%20passed.|title=Lara Parker 1938-2023|publisher=Big Finish Productions|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Writing Career ==
After stepping away from full-time acting, Parker became a high school and college English teacher and earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from [[w:Antioch University|Antioch University Los Angeles]] in 2004.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_mfa" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=In%202004%2C%20Lara%20earned%20her%20Master's%20Degree%20in%20Creative%20Writing|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> In 2006, she was invited to [[w:New York University|New York University]], where she conducted a two-day workshop titled "Heart of Horror," discussing the process of horror writing.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_nyu" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=In%202006%2C%20she%20was%20invited%20to%20New%20York%20University%2C%20where%20she%20did%20a%20two%2Dday%20workshop%20titled%20Heart%20of%20Horror%2C%20discussing%20the%20process%20of%20horror%20writing.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

=== Dark Shadows Novels ===
Parker was pursued by HarperCollins Publishing and Dan Curtis Productions to write a backstory of her ''Dark Shadows'' character, Angelique.<ref name="laraparkerinfo_biography_harpertcollins" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.laraparkerinfo.com/biography#:~:text=Soon%2C%20she%20was%20pursued%20by%20Harper%20Collins%20Publishing%20and%20Dan%20Curtis%20Productions%20(Creator%20and%20Director%20of%20Dark%20Shadows)%20to%20write%20a%20backstory%20of%20her%20Dark%20Shadows%20character%2C%20%E2%80%9CAngelique%E2%80%9D.%20Lara%20agreed.|title=Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Fan Page|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> She published four novels based on the ''Dark Shadows'' universe. These works represented a significant contribution to the Dark Shadows literary canon, which had previously consisted primarily of the 32 novels by Dan Ross (writing under the pen name Marilyn Ross) published between 1966 and 1972.<ref name="companion_merchandising" group="external">{{cite book|title=The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection|editor=Kathryn Leigh Scott and Jim Pierson|publisher=Pomegranate Press, Ltd.|location=Los Angeles and London|year=1990|page=231}}</ref>

==== Angelique's Descent (1998) ====
Parker's debut novel explores the origin story of the witch Angelique, delving into her background in Martinique and the events that shaped her into the powerful and tragic figure from the television series. The novel provides readers with an understanding of Angelique's motivations and the development of her supernatural abilities.

==== Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch (2006) ====
This novel connects the Collins family history to the Salem witch trials, incorporating historical elements with the supernatural mythology of the Dark Shadows universe. The story explores new dimensions of the Collins family curse and introduces additional layers to the ongoing saga of Collinsport.

==== Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising (2013) ====
Parker's third novel continues to expand the Dark Shadows mythology, focusing on werewolf lore and its connection to the Collins family. The book weaves together past and present storylines, incorporating familiar characters while introducing new supernatural threats to Collinwood.

==== Heiress of Collinwood (2016) ====
Parker's final Dark Shadows novel centers on a new generation at Collinwood, exploring themes of inheritance, legacy, and the enduring nature of the Collins family curse. The book serves as a continuation of the Dark Shadows saga while honoring the gothic traditions established by the original series.

Parker was also the reader of the unabridged audiobook recordings of her first three novels.<ref name="imdb_parker_biography_audiobooks" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/#:~:text=She%20was%20also%20the%20reader%20of%20the%20unabridged%20audiobook%20recordings%20of%20her%20first%20three%20novels%3A%20Angelique's%20Descent%2C%20Dark%20Shadows%3A%20The%20Salem%20Branch%20and%20Dark%20Shadows%3A%20Wolf%20Moon%20Rising.|title=Lara Parker - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Her narration allowed fans to experience the stories in her own voice, bringing an authentic connection to the character of Angelique that she had portrayed for so many years.

=== Other Publishing Work ===
Following the publication of her books, Parker embarked on cross-country book tours to publicize her novels, appearing on several talk shows, more than fifty radio shows, and performing dozens of readings at libraries and bookstores.<ref name="laraparkerinfo_biography_booktours" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.laraparkerinfo.com/biography#:~:text=Following%20the%20publication%20of%20her%20books%2C%20Ms%20Parker%20embarked%20on%20cross%2Dcountry%20book%20tours%20to%20publicize%20her%20books%20on%20several%20talk%20shows%2C%20more%20than%20fifty%20radio%20shows%20and%20performed%20dozens%20of%20readings%20at%20libraries%20and%20bookstores.|title=Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Fan Page|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> 

In 1999, Parker founded Old Canyon Press to publish ''Bugs & Critters, I Have Known'', an illustrated collection of poetry for children written by her mother, Ann Heiskell Rickey, and illustrated by her mother's sister, Ardeane Heiskell Smith. The book won several children's book awards.<ref name="laraparkerinfo_biography_oldcanyonpress" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.laraparkerinfo.com/biography#:~:text=In%201999%2C%20Ms%20Parker%20founded%20Old%20Canyon%20Press%20to%20publish%20Bugs%20%26%20Critters%2C%20I%20Have%20Known%E2%80%9D%2C%20an%20illustrated%20collection%20of%20poetry%20for%20children%20written%20by%20her%20mother%2C%20Ann%20Heiskell%20Rickey%20and%20illustrated%20by%20her%20mother's%20sister%2C%20Ardeane%20Heiskell%20Smith%20which%20won%20several%20chidren's%20book%20awards%20and%20mentions.|title=Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Fan Page|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

== Personal Life ==
Parker was first married to artist Tom Parker, with whom she had two sons: Rick and Andy.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_firstmarriage" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Rick became a successful record producer and is married to singer [[w:Miranda Lee Richards|Miranda Lee Richards]].<ref name="sfexaminer_mirandaleerichards" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/miranda-lee-richards-cant-stop-writing-new-songs/|title=Miranda Lee Richards can't stop writing new songs|publisher=The San Francisco Examiner|date=July 6, 2016|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Andy became a contractor.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_children" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

In 1980, Parker married Jim Hawkins, a building contractor.<ref name="imdb_parker_biography_hawkins" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662430/|title=Lara Parker - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> They had a daughter, Caitlin Hawkins, who became a set designer and stylist for videos and commercials.<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_caitlin" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=Lara%20is%20married%20to%20Jim%20Hawkins%2C%20a%20contractor%20and%20builder%2C%20and%20she%20has%20three%20children%3A%20Rick%2C%20Andy%2C%20and%20Caiti.%20Rick%20Parker%20is%20a%20successful%20record%20producer%2C%20Andy%20is%20a%20contractor%20and%20Caiti%20Hawkins%20is%20a%20set%20designer%20and%20stylist%20for%20videos%20and%20commercials.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Parker and Hawkins lived in a house they designed and built on a mountaintop in Topanga Canyon in the [[w:Santa Monica Mountains|Santa Monica Mountains]].<ref name="laraparkersite_biography_topanga" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://laraparkersite.blogspot.com/p/biography.html#:~:text=Lara%20and%20her%20husband%20live%20in%20a%20house%20they%20designed%20and%20built%20on%20a%20mountaintop%20in%20the%20Santa%20Monica%20mountains.|title=Lara Parker: Biography|publisher=Lara Parker Site|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker died in her sleep at her home in Topanga Canyon on October 12, 2023, at the age of 84, following a battle with cancer.<ref name="hollywoodreporter_parker_obit_death" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-angelique-1235619789/#:~:text=Parker%20died%20Thursday%20in%20her%20sleep%20at%20her%20home%20in%20Topanga%20Canyon%20in%20Los%20Angeles%2C%20her%20daughter%2C%20Caitlin%2C%20told%20The%20Hollywood%20Reporter.|title=Lara Parker, the Witch Angelique on 'Dark Shadows,' Dies at 84|author=Mike Barnes|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Her death was announced by producer Jim Pierson of Dan Curtis Productions, on behalf of Parker's family.<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_announcement" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=Her%20death%20was%20announced%20by%20producer%20Jim%20Pierson%20of%20Dan%20Curtis%20Productions%2C%20on%20behalf%20of%20Parker's%20family.|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref> Her ''Dark Shadows'' co-star and longtime friend Kathryn Leigh Scott said in a statement: "I'm heartbroken, as all of us are who knew and loved her. She graced our lives with her beauty, talent and friendship, and we are all richer for having had her in our lives."<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_scott" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI'm%20heartbroken%2C%20as%20all%20of%20us%20are%20who%20knew%20and%20loved%20her%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20her%20Dark%20Shadows%20co%2Dstar%20and%20longtime%20friend%20Kathryn%20Leigh%20Scott%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CShe%20graced%20our%20lives%20with%20her%20beauty%2C%20talent%20and%20friendship%2C%20and%20we%20are%20all%20richer%20for%20having%20had%20her%20in%20our%20lives.%E2%80%9D|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

Parker is survived by her husband Jim Hawkins, daughter Caitlin, sons Rick and Andy, their wives Miranda and Celia, and grandson Wesley.<ref name="deadline_parker_obit_survivors" group="external">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/lara-parker-dead-dark-shadows-1235575023/#:~:text=Parker%20is%20survived%20by%20second%20husband%20Jim%20Hawkins%2C%20daughter%20Caitlin%2C%20sons%20Rick%20and%20Andy%2C%20and%20their%20wives%20Miranda%20and%20Celia%3B%20and%20grandson%20Wesley.|title=Lara Parker Dead: 'Dark Shadows' Scene-Stealing Witch Angelique Was 84|author=Greg Evans|publisher=Deadline|date=October 16, 2023|accessdate=November 10, 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|group=external}}