- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMary Lamar Rickey
- Nicknames
- Lara
- Lamar
- Height1.66 m
- Lara Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Memphis. She attended Central High School in Memphis, and won a scholarship to Vassar College. At Vassar, Lara began a major in philosophy, which she completed at Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College), receiving her BA. She attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and completed all course work on a Masters in speech and drama. During the summer when Lara was supposed to write her thesis, she acted at the Millbrook Playhouse, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, playing 5 leading roles in 6 weeks. Rather than returning to Iowa, she decided to try her luck in New York. During only her second week in the city, she was cast as Angelique, the witch, in the daytime horror serial, Dark Shadows (1966). It was a role she held for 5 years. It culminated with the film, Night of Dark Shadows (1971). While still in New York, Lara appeared on Broadway in "Woman is My Idea", as well as in two off-Broadway plays: "Lulu" and "A Gun Play".
In 1972, she moved to Los Angeles, and began working in film and prime-time television, performing many guest starring roles, and occasionally returning to daytime television. After retiring from acting, she changed her focus back to what her original interests were. She became a high school and college English teacher, and obtained her MFA in creative writing (from Antioch University). Parker authored four novels based on "Dark Shadows" (see book section, below).
Parker lived in California with her husband, Jim Hawkins and their daughter, Caitlin Hawkins. She died at age 84 from cancer in October 2023.- IMDb mini biography by: Lara Parker (updated posthumously by Lucy)
- SpousesJames Hawkins(1980 - October 12, 2023) (her death, 1 child)Thomas McKibbon Parker(November 28, 1959 - March 1974) (divorced, 2 children)
- Children
- ParentsAnn Longstreet Heiskell
- RelativesWesley Parker(Grandchild)Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar(Great Grandparent)
- She's written four novels based on the Angelique character she played on the 1966-1971 series "Dark Shadows". Angelique's Descent" in 1998. Its sequel, "The Salem Branch," came out in July 2006, "Wolf Moon Rising" was released in August 2013, and "Heiress of Collinwood" was released in 2016.
- Was roommates at Vassar with Jane Fonda. She appeared with Jane's brother, Peter Fonda, in one film titled Course contre l'enfer (1975).
- Reprised her Dark Shadows (1966) role of "Angelique" in four new CD Dark Shadows audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions.
- Lives with her husband, Jim Hawkins, and their daughter, Caiti, in a designer house in the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles.
- Has two sons with her first husband, artist Tom Parker: Rick Parker and Andy Parker. Rick is a record producer and Andy is a contractor, like his stepfather, Jim Hawkins.
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