Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 22:01, 11 November 2025

2025-11-11T22:01:26Z

Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 21:48, 11 November 2025

2025-11-11T21:48:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:48, 11 November 2025
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	=== Dark Shadows ===		=== 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> 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>		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>		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>
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	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>		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>

	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~~: ''Angelique's Descent'' (1998), ''~~Dark Shadows~~: The Salem Branch'' (2006)~~, ~~''Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising''~~ (~~2013~~), and ~~''Heiress of Collinwood'' (2016)~~.<ref name="~~torpublishinggroup_angeliquesdescent~~" group="external">{{cite ~~web\|url=https://torpublishinggroup.com/dark-shadows-angeliques-descent/~~\|title=Dark Shadows: ~~Angelique's Descent~~\|~~publisher~~=~~Tor Publishing Group~~\|~~accessdate~~=~~November 10~~, 2025}}</ref> She 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>		=== 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>

	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>		==== 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 ==		== Personal Life ==

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Created page with "{{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 L..."

2025-11-10T21:55:59Z

Created page with "{{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 L..."

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Lara Parker - Revision history

Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 22:01, 11 November 2025

Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 21:48, 11 November 2025