Lara Parker, the esteemed actress best known for her unforgettable portrayal of the cunning and complex witch Angelique Bouchard in the beloved horror soap opera “Dark Shadows,” has passed away. She died peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2023, at her residence in Topanga Canyon, California, following a struggle with cancer. Parker was 84 years old.
The news of her passing was confirmed by her close friend and former co – star from the well – known gothic series, Kathryn L. Scott, who posted a poignant message on Facebook on October 16. Scott’s heartfelt announcement deeply resonated with fans and colleagues alike, acknowledging the immense loss felt across the entertainment industry.
In her moving tribute, Scott wrote, “I have sad news… my beautiful, beloved friend Lara Parker passed away on Thursday, October 12. I am heartbroken, as are all of us who knew and loved her. She enriched our lives with her beauty and talent, and we are all the better for having had her in our lives.” Scott further expressed the family’s wish for privacy during this difficult time, adding, “Family meant more than anything to Lara, and they have desired these few days since her passing for themselves. Rest in peace, my cherished friend.”
In a subsequent post, Scott reflected on their enduring bond, stating, “We met as ‘Josette’ and ‘Angelique’ on Dark Shadows… that is how many knew us, but we knew each other as friends and confidantes. For over 50 years, our lives have been intertwined through our mutual love of literature, writing, and acting.” She beautifully summarized their unique connection, noting, “We could not have been more different, and therein lay the magic of our enduring friendship.”
Parker’s defining role as Angelique Bouchard Collins in ABC’s “Dark Shadows,” which was broadcast from 1966 to 1971, cemented her legacy in television history. She brought to life an antagonist who was both powerful and deeply sympathetic, entangled in a centuries – long, tumultuous love – hate relationship with the vampire Barnabas Collins, portrayed by Jonathan Frid.
The narrative often emphasized the “hate” in their relationship, with Angelique’s actions frequently making Barnabas’s existence a living hell. The character’s dark magic served as the catalyst for Barnabas’s vampiric curse, initiating a battle between the two that spanned different time periods within the show’s intricate storyline.
Despite Angelique’s villainous reputation, Parker endowed the character with a profound sense of tragedy. In a 2016 interview, she articulated her approach: “I portrayed her as somebody who was much more of a tragic figure, who was desperately, desperately in love. And her heart was broken. That is much more sympathetic than just being a mean old witch. I felt that her acts were acts of desperation, not acts of evil.”
Remarkably, Parker later reflected on Angelique’s broader social significance, admitting in a 2016 interview with Den of Geek that she “had no idea that her most famous character, Angelique Bouchard, was such a pioneer for women’s rights on TV.” She elaborated, “Looking back historically, Angelique was one of the earliest strong female characters depicted on television.” Parker humbly added, “At the time, I wasn’t aware of being any kind of social figure. I just felt that I had a good role and I was happy to have a job and go to work and be an actress. It is a gift. But I certainly didn’t see myself in the larger sense of being any kind of a social influence.
The actress maintained a genuine connection with her legions of admirers, who adored her as much as she delighted in their devotion. During public appearances and book signings, fans often asked her to “make witchy eyes” while posing for selfies, a testament to Angelique’s lasting impact. Despite her on – screen intensity, Parker humorously shared with Craig Hamrick on her website, “I am still shy. And I am actually a very sweet, unselfish person. Not at all like Angelique. I would never have the courage to do the things she did.”
“Dark Shadows” gained immense popularity during its run, especially following the introduction of Jonathan Frid’s Barnabas Collins in April 1967 and Parker’s arrival seven months later. Parker recounted the show’s widespread recognition: “Everywhere we went, [the cast was] recognized. There was a huge crowd outside the [Manhattan] studio when we finished in the afternoon, consisting of autograph seekers. People would show up, the same people every single day, day after day. They worshipped some of us and would walk us to the subway.” She added with a touch of humor, recalling how children would be “terrified because I was so evil.”
Parker reprised her iconic role as Angelique in “Night of Dark Shadows,” a theatrical spin – off film released in 1971. Decades later, she made a memorable cameo appearance in Tim Burton’s 2012 big – screen adaptation of “Dark Shadows,” which featured Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, further solidifying her connection to the franchise that launched her to national fame.
Beyond her “Dark Shadows” fame, Parker built an extensive and diverse acting portfolio in film. She appeared alongside Robert De Niro in Brian De Palma’s 1970 film, “Hi, Mom!” Her performance as Margo, a sympathetic prostitute whose client suffered a heart attack, stood out in the 1973 Academy Award – winning drama “Save the Tiger,” starring Jack Lemmon in his Oscar – winning role.
Parker also assumed a cult horror film role as Kelly Marsh, the wife of Peter Fonda’s character Roger, in the 1975 chiller “Race with the Devil,” which co – starred Warren Oates and Loretta Switt. These roles demonstrated her versatility and her willingness to explore different genres and complex characters on the big screen.
Her television credits were equally impressive, encompassing a wide array of classic shows. Parker appeared in “Kolchak: The Night Stalker,” portraying the witch Madelaine in the episode titled “The Trevi Collection.” She was also featured in “The Six Million Dollar Man,” specifically in the 1974 episode “The Deadly Replay,” and made a guest appearance in an episode of “Emergency” in 1975. Her dramatic range extended to “Kung Fu,” “Police Woman,” and the detective series “Kojak.
Continuing her prolific television work, Parker made appearances on beloved programs such as “Alice,” “Quincy, M.E.,” “Hawaii Five – O,” “The Rockford Files,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Switch,” and “Baretta.” She also portrayed Laura Banner, David Banner’s first wife in a flashback sequence, in the pilot episode of the 1977 television series “The Incredible Hulk.” Further diversifying her soap opera experience, she had stints on the CBS daytime serial “Capitol” from 1985 to 1986 and the ABC daytime serial “One Life to Live.” She also undertook a recurring role in the short – lived television series “Jessica Novak” and played secretary Wanda in the 1977 television miniseries “Washington: Behind Closed Doors.”
Parker also ventured onto the stage, making her Broadway debut in September 1968 in “Woman is My Idea,” though it ran for only five performances. In 1969, she took on the title role in an Off – Broadway production of Frank Wedekind’s “Lulu,” demonstrating her theatrical prowess. She also appeared in another Off – Broadway production, “A Gun Play.”
Years after her initial success on “Dark Shadows,” Parker revisited the show’s rich universe through her writing. She authored four novels that expanded upon the gothic soap’s central location, the ominous Collinwood mansion, and its characters. Her first book, “Angelique’s Descent,” was published in 1998, providing a deeper insight into her iconic character’s backstory.
She followed this success with sequels: “Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch,” released in July 2006, and “Dark Shadows: Wolf Moon Rising,” which was published in August 2013. Her fourth and final novel, “Heiress of Collinwood,” was published in November 2016. Parker also lent her voice to the unabridged audiobook recordings of her first three novels, bringing her stories to life for listeners.
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In her later career, Parker continued to be involved with the “Dark Shadows” franchise through audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions, reprising her signature role. She also reunited with her “Dark Shadows” co – stars Jerry Lacy and Kathryn Leigh Scott in the feature films “Doctor Mabuse” in 2013 and its sequel, “Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar,” in 2014. Her final film, “The Great Nick D,” which was shot in 2023, features her alongside fellow “Dark Shadows” alumni Kathryn Leigh Scott and David Selby.
Born Mary Lamar Rickey on October 27, 1938, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Parker grew up in Memphis. Her father, Albert, was an attorney, and her mother, Ann, was actively engaged in civic groups within their community.
Parker came from a prominent Southern family, boasting a distinguished lineage that included being a great – great – granddaughter of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar II and a third – great – granddaughter of Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, who was an uncle of Confederate General James Longstreet.
Her commitment to education was evident throughout her life. She commenced her higher education at Vassar College, where she studied philosophy and famously shared a room with Jane Fonda. She then transferred to Rhodes College, which was known then as Southwestern Presbyterian, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree. Parker advanced her academic pursuits by earning a Master of Arts degree in speech and drama from the University of Iowa.
In her personal life, Lara Parker was married twice. Her first marriage was to artist Tom Parker, with whom she had two sons, Andy and Rick. Her son Rick subsequently became a successful record producer and is married to singer Miranda Lee Richards, while Andy embarked on a career as a contractor.
Parker later married building contractor Jim Hawkins, and together they had a daughter, Caitlin Hawkins, who has carved out her own career as a set designer and stylist for videos and commercials. She is survived by her husband, Jim Hawkins; her children, Caitlin, Rick, and Andy; her daughters – in – law, Miranda and Celia; her grandson, Wesley; and her beloved dog, Pearl, leaving behind a cherished family legacy.
After retiring from her full – time acting career, Parker developed another passion: teaching. She became a high school English teacher, sharing her knowledge and love for literature with new generations. Demonstrating her lifelong dedication to learning, she also obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Antioch University.
Lara Parker’s indelible mark on the television and film landscape, particularly through her iconic portrayal of Angelique, ensured that “Dark Shadows” would become one of the most legendary soap operas of all time. Her talent forged profound connections with audiences, transforming a character associated with dark magic into a figure admired by feminists for her strength and independence.
As difficult as her loss is for the legions of fans who admire her, they can find solace in the knowledge that Lara Parker’s mesmerizing performances will truly endure forever. Every episode of “Dark Shadows” remains accessible for viewing, enabling her artistry to continue to enthrall and captivate new generations, a vivid testament to the beauty and talent that adorned all who knew and loved her.
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