This 80s soap opera star known for her signature blonde locks was unrecognizable while visiting a beauty salon…who is she?

She was the epitome of Eighties glamor with her fabulous platinum blonde hair that became her character’s trademark on one of TV’s most popular soap operas.

The CBS show saw this television star reprise her role from the long-running soap opera Dallas, becoming a central character and fan favorite in the iconic spin-off.

She kept audiences captivated with her dramatic storylines as a four-time divorced mother while navigating a very complicated love and family life with her on-again, off-again husband.

Her character’s elegant fashion sense and bold looks made her a symbol of ’80s fashion and pop culture with her shoulder pads and voluminous hair.

Forty years later, the soap star was almost unrecognizable when she visited a beauty salon in Beverly Hills this week, although her signature blonde locks were still on full display.

Can you guess who it is?

This TV icon epitomized ’80s glamor with her big blonde hair while starring on a hit CBS primetime soap opera

The actress was virtually unrecognizable last weekend during a visit to a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, according to exclusive photos

Can you guess who she is?

The actress was virtually unrecognizable last weekend during a visit to a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, according to exclusive photos

It’s Joan Van Ark!

The iconic soap star was spotted having a beauty session at a salon just days after the 45th anniversary of her hit show, Knots Landing.

At 81 years old, Van Ark looked as elegant and stylish as she did in her heyday, wearing a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-colored sunglasses and a fresh manicure.

She was alone during the outing and was seen arriving in her chic black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie before she let it down.

Van Ark looked healthy and cheerful as she spoke on the phone, according to exclusive photos from DailyMail.com.

The popular actress has enjoyed a prolific TV and film career that began 55 years ago with hits such as Frogs (1972), My First Love (1988), The Last Dinosaur (1977), Shakedown on the Sunset Strip (1988), Tainted Blood (1988). 1993), among many others.

Van Ark is best known for her role as Valene Ewing in Knots Landing. Her character famously dated husband Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford (pictured)

Joan Van Ark

Soap opera star Joan Van Ark is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began in Dallas in 1978 and continued the following year in the spin-off Knots Landing. Her character famously dated husband Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford.

At 81 years old, Van Ark looked as elegant and stylish as she did in her heyday, wearing a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-colored sunglasses and a fresh manicure.

At 81, Van Ark looked as elegant and stylish as she did in her heyday, wearing a casual hoodie and leggings with tall black boots, rainbow-colored sunglasses and a fresh manicure.

She was alone during the outing and was seen in her chic black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie

Joan Van Ark

She was alone during the outing and was seen in her chic black convertible, with her hair tied up in a white scrunchie

However, she is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began in Dallas in 1978 and continued the following year in the spin-off Knots Landing.

She eventually appeared in 327 episodes of Knots Landing over 14 years.

Joan’s character was married three times to her on-screen love interest Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford.

Off camera, Joan is known to lead a very private life these days, enjoying her downtime with 58-year-old husband, award-winning TV reporter John Marshall.

Despite her age, Joan has remained active in Hollywood in recent years.

She has lent her voice for cameos several times in recent years, including parts in the TV series Curious George (2021) and Doom Patrol (2019).

Her last on-screen appearance was in 2017, when she co-starred in the television film Psycho Wedding Crasher.