DailyMail.com spotted the 78-year-old actress in athleticwear, with a sweater wrapped around her waist, tall brown boots and her blond locks tied up in a ponytail. 

She was seen getting in and out of her car, as she peeled off her blue face mask and headed out for her solo trip on the sunny day.

At one point she dropped some coins on the ground while feeding a parking meter. 

DailyMail.com spotted Joan Van Ark in athleticwear, with a sweater wrapped around her waist, tall brown boots and her blond locks tied up in a ponytail

The Knots Landing actress was seen for the first time in three years as she ran errands in Los Angeles last week

She is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began on Dallas in 1978 and then continued in the Knots Landing spinoff of the series in 1979. Joan's character was married three times to her on-screen love interest Gary Ewing, played by Ted Shackelford (pictured together) 

She was seen getting in and out of her car, as she peeled off her blue face mask and headed out for her solo trip on the sunny day

At one point she dropped some coins on the ground while feeding a parking meter

Joan is known to live a very private life these days while enjoying down time in Los Angeles

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

However she is best known for her role as Valene Ewing, which began on Dallas in 1978 and then continued in its spinoff Knots Landing the following year. She ended up appearing 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 live a very private life these days while enjoying down time with husband of 56 years, award-winning TV reporter John Marshall. 

The cast of Knots landing is pictured: Joan Van Ark, Ted Shackelford, Donna Mills, Nicolette Sheridan, Kevin Dobson, William Devane, and Michele Lee

Joan is pictured with her husband of 56 years, award-winning TV reporter John Marshall

Joan remains active in the Hollywood community in her 70s. 

She has lent her voice various times in recent years for cameos that include parts in TV series Curious George (2021) and https://careerscabin.com/maplestory-gm-skills-how-its-works-2/ Doom Patrol (2019). 

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