‘Dark Shadows’ Star Lara Parker Passes Away At 84

• On October 12, 2023, actress Lara Parker died.
• She was 76, cause of death not immediately released.
• Parker was best known for playing the witch Angelique on the gothic horror daytime soap opera Dark Shadows. 

Lara Parker, who rose to fame as the witch Angelique on the daytime horror soap opera Dark Shadows, passed away on October 12 at the age of 84.

Born Mary Lamar Rickey on October 27, 1937 in Knoxville, Tennessee, she would go on to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide with her captivating performance in the supernatural soap opera. On that 1966 to 1971 show, she was a pivotal presence, her unrequited love for Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) resulting in her placing the vampire curse on him. .

Lara’s road to acting started with a strong educational foundation, having attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, which is where she developed her acting skills, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. That degree not withstanding, she was absolutely drawn to acting.

Moving to New York in the 1960s, she appeared in a number of Off-Broadway productions,  eventually catching the eye of Dark Shadows‘ casting director. Parker’s portrayal of Angelique Bouchard, a powerful witch with a complex and alluring personality, left an indelible mark on the series as well as the second feature film it spawned, 1971’s Night of Dark Shadows.

During her time on Dark Shadows, Lara showcased her versatility as an actress as she, like the other cast members, got the chance to play variations of her character or different ones altogether through trips to the past and parallel universes. Over the course of the show, she went from a vengeful witch to a tragic heroine and someone who generated sympathy for her plight.

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After Dark Shadows concluded its run, Lara continued to work in the entertainment industry. She appeared in several television series, including The Rockford Files, Quincy, M.E., Kolchak: The Night Stalker and Police Woman.

In addition to acting, she enjoyed a secondary career as an author, writing a number of novels, including those set in the world of Dark Shadows.

Despite the fact that Dark Shadows went off the air over 50 years ago, fans old and new have never forgotten her and have cherished her portrayal of Angelique. The show’s enduring popularity through reruns and the devotion of its fan base continue to keep her character alive in the hearts of viewers.