Lilimae Clements

Last updated
Lilimae Clements
Knots Landing character
Lilimae Clements.jpg
Portrayed by Julie Harris
Duration1980–87
First appearanceJanuary 25, 1980
(Episode: Will the Circle Be Unbroken)
Last appearanceNovember 19, 1987
(Episode: Flight of the Sunbirds)
Created by David Jacobs
In-universe information
OccupationCountry Music singer
FatherJoshua Patrick
MotherAura Belle Wiley Patrick
SistersVirginia Bullock
June Patrick
Meg Patrick
Edna Patrick
HusbandJeremiah Clements (backstory)
Jonathan J. Rush (common-law; backstory)
Sons Joshua Rush
Daughters Valene Ewing
Grandchildren Lucy Ewing
Betsy Ewing
Bobby Ewing II
Aunts and unclesHorace Patrick

Lilimae Clements (maiden name Patrick) is a fictional character from the long-running CBS soap opera, Knots Landing . She was played by Julie Harris between 1980 and 1987. Although not a series regular until season 4, Lilimae was created by producer David Jacobs as one of the series' earliest characters.

Contents

Development

Casting

Harris was hired by Knots Landing in January 1980. She went on to play the character for seven years before exiting the show in 1987 as a result of budget cuts. The actress said in an interview with People magazine that she took the role because she didn't have anything to do at the time. "I had just been sick and got better." [1] She noted that she enjoyed her time on Knots, playing a "second-rate Southern singer" appealed to her. [1] In an interview with Jerry Buck of the Orlando Sentinel , Julie Harris said that she joined the show on advice from her agent, Ed Bondy. [2]

Storylines

Before her first appearance, a teenage Lilimae meets and marries a much older man named Jeremiah Clements (Don "Red" Barry) in Shula, Tennessee (a fictional community in real-life Johnson County). Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Valene, Lilimae abandons her husband and daughter for long periods of time to pursue her singing career, a continual event for most of Valene's childhood. When Jeremiah dies, Lilimae moves then 11-year-old Valene firstly to live with her (Lilimae's) mother, and then with Lilimae's sister June. [3] Lilimae later meets Reverend Jonathan Rush (Albert Salmi). After a brief romance, he asks her to marry him but she refuses to be tied down. After the birth of their son, Joshua, they live together for a year until Lilimae receives a career proposal and leaves her responsibilities again. While she is on tour, her daughter, Valene, comes looking for her in search of help. Valene is pursued by oil tycoon J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), who wants to take her baby, Lucy, but Lilimae refuses to let her in, saying that if the producer discovers that she is a grandmother, her career will be ruined. Val frantically tries to hide the baby, but J.R. eventually gets a hold of her, causing Val to be resentful of her mother.

In 1980, Lilimae learns of Val's remarriage to J.R.'s brother, Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford). She decides to visit the two of them in Los Angeles, California, where she is met with her daughter's hostility towards her. After Val confronts her mother, she is able to move on and work things out. In 1981, Gary and Val see a newscast featuring Lilimae, which shows her stopping a thief. They portray her as being homeless and Valene invites her to stay with the two of them. The next day, Lilimae is arrested for shoplifting, but the judge says he'll give her a slide with six months probation if Val and Gary assume responsibility for her. Shortly after, Gary has an affair with their neighbor, Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills), which Lilimae learns of (she witnesses Abby and Gary exiting a hotel after a sexual tryst), and attempts to coerce Gary into ending the affair, without Val finding out, but Val and Gary's marriage eventually ends.

In season four, Lilimae befriends Chip Roberts (Michael Sabatino), who is handling the advertising campaign for Val's book Capricorn Crude, a loosely based narrative of the Ewing family. She soon learns that Chip murdered a popular singer, Ciji Dunne (Lisa Hartman-Black), and has been fooling the entire cul-de-sac into believing his lies. In a revenge attempt, Lilimae decides to run Chip over with her car. Valene is forced to admit her into a psychiatric hospital, rather than going to jail. Upon returning home, Lilimae meets Val's new boyfriend, Ben Gibson. She makes her dislike of Ben widely known. In the sixth season, Valene finds out that she's pregnant with twins, giving Lilimae a second chance to be a grandmother. Her abandoned son, Joshua Rush (Alec Baldwin), shows up at their doorstep looking for his mother. After some persuasion by Val, Lilimae welcomes him into the family. Joshua settles into life on the cul-de-sac and marries Cathy Geary, a look-alike of Ciji.

Lilimae soon learns that Joshua is beating his wife and is in need of help. She discovers both Cathy and Joshua on top of a building, where Joshua is attempting to kill Cathy. Lilimae begins shouting at him and Joshua trips and falls over the edge. He is pronounced dead instantly. She goes through an immense period of mourning before finally moving on from Joshua's death and being a grandmother to Bobby and Betsy. In season nine, she meets Al Baker (Red Buttons), an acquaintance of neighbor Mack MacKenzie (Kevin Dobson). They eventually fall in love, but Lilimae refuses to marry him. They buy a camper and leave the cul-de-sac together to travel the country.

Reception

John J. O'Connor of The New York Times wrote an article in 1995 on Harris, where he mentioned her seven years on the program. He said: "In a television landscape littered with pretty young things being adolescently silly, a Julie Harris performance can be thoroughly invigorating. Although most viewers will probably remember Ms. Harris for her seven years as Lilimae Clements on Knots Landing, theatergoers know better." [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dallas</i> (1978 TV series) American television series

Dallas was an American prime time soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1978, to May 3, 1991. The series revolved around an affluent and feuding Texas family, the Ewings, who owned the independent oil company Ewing Oil and the cattle-ranching land of Southfork. The series originally focused on the marriage of Bobby Ewing and Pam Ewing, whose families were sworn enemies. As the series progressed, Bobby's elder brother, oil tycoon J. R. Ewing, became the show's breakout character, whose schemes and dirty business became the show's trademark. When the show ended on May 3, 1991, J. R. was the only character to have appeared in every episode.

<i>Knots Landing</i> American television series

Knots Landing is an American primetime television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of Dallas, it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centered on the lives of four married couples living on a cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle. Throughout its 14-year run, storylines included marital strife, rape, murder, kidnapping, assassinations, drug smuggling, politics, addictions, environmental issues, corporate intrigue, and criminal investigations. By the time of its conclusion, it had become the third-longest-running primetime drama on U.S. television after Gunsmoke and Bonanza and the last scripted primetime drama show that debuted in the 1970s to leave the air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Van Ark</span> American actress (born 1943)

Joan Martha Van Ark is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Valene Ewing on the primetime soap opera Knots Landing. A life member of The Actors Studio, she made her Broadway debut in 1966 in Barefoot in the Park. In 1971, she received a Theatre World Award and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for the revival of The School for Wives.

<i>Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac</i> 1997 American TV series or program

Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac is a 1997 American television miniseries which is a continuation of the 1979–1993 prime time soap opera Knots Landing and takes place four years after the series ended. Directed by Bill Corcoran, the four-hour miniseries was originally broadcast in two parts on CBS on May 7 and 9, 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. R. Ewing</span> Fictional character

John Ross Ewing Jr. is a fictional character in the American television series Dallas (1978–1991) and its spin-offs, including the reboot series (2012–2014). The character was portrayed by Larry Hagman from the series premiere in 1978 until his death in late 2012; Hagman was the only actor who appeared in all 357 episodes of the original series. As the show's most famous character, J.R. has been central to many of the series' biggest storylines. He is depicted as a covetous, egocentric, manipulative and amoral oil baron with psychopathic tendencies, who is constantly plotting subterfuges to plunder the wealth of his foes. In the PBS series Pioneers of Television, Hagman claimed the character of J.R. began its development when he played a similar character in the film Stardust, and that he was also inspired by a mean boss he once had.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Shackelford</span> Actor

Theodore Tillman Shackelford III is an American actor, known for his roles on television. He played Gary Ewing in the CBS prime time soap operas Dallas and its spin-off Knots Landing (1979–1993), and had a recurring role portraying twin brothers William and Jeffrey Bardwell on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless (2006—2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Ewing</span> Fictional character

Robert James Ewing is a fictional character in the American television series Dallas and its 2012 revival. The youngest son of Jock and Miss Ellie Ewing, he was portrayed by actor Patrick Duffy. Bobby had been killed off in the final episode of the 1984–1985 season, and Patrick Duffy left the show for a year. Bobby returned in the famous "shower scene" at the end of the following season. The subsequent "dream revelation" at the start of the next season explained Bobby's accident, his death, and all but the final scene, as a dream of Bobby's fiancée and ex-wife, Pamela Barnes Ewing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Ewing</span> Fictional character in the American television series Dallas

Lucy Ann Ewing is a fictional character in the popular American television series Dallas. The character is played by Charlene Tilton and first appeared in the series premiere on April 2, 1978. Tilton left the show at the end of season 8 in 1985, before returning for the last two episodes of season 11 in 1988, becoming a series regular again in season 12. Lucy was then written out again in 1990.

Garrison "Gary" Arthur Ewing is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera, Knots Landing, a spin-off of Dallas. The character of Gary Ewing was first played by actor David Ackroyd in a two-part Dallas season two episode "Reunion" in 1978. Gary Ewing was the middle son of oil baron Jock and Miss Ellie Ewing, the father of Lucy Ewing and the ex-husband of Valene Ewing. Over a year later, the part of Gary Ewing was recast for the spin-off Knots Landing with actor Ted Shackelford in the role, and Gary became one of the main stars of the series in 1979. Shackelford played Gary Ewing in Knots Landing for its entire fourteen seasons (1979–1993), while continuing to make occasional appearances in Dallas during that time. The character of Gary made his last Knots Landing appearance in 1997 in the reunion series Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac. Shackelford reprised his character for the new, updated version of Dallas in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valene Ewing</span> Fictional character in Knots Landing

Valene "Val" Ewing, portrayed by Joan Van Ark, is a fictional character in the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing, a spin-off from the long-running series Dallas, in which she also appeared. The character originated on Dallas in 1978 as the mother of Lucy Ewing and ex-wife of Gary Ewing. Van Ark made several guest appearances on Dallas before becoming one of the main stars of the spin-off Knots Landing in December 1979, though she continued to make small appearances in Dallas for the next several years. Van Ark played Valene in Knots Landing for thirteen of its fourteen seasons, which made her one of the show's longest running stars. The character made her last Knots Landing appearance in 1997, when she appeared in the reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac. In 2013, Van Ark reprised her character for the sequel version of Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristin Shepard</span> Soap opera character

Kristin Marie Shepard is a fictional character on the American television series Dallas, played by Mary Crosby (1979–1981) and, briefly, by Colleen Camp (1979). The character also made one appearance on Dallas's spin-off series, Knots Landing, during its second season.

<i>Dallas</i> (2012 TV series) 2012 American television drama series

Dallas is an American prime time soap opera developed by Cynthia Cidre and produced by Warner Horizon Television, that aired on TNT from June 13, 2012, to September 22, 2014. The series was a revival of the prime time television soap opera of the same name that was created by David Jacobs and which aired on CBS from 1978 to 1991. The series revolves around the Ewings, an affluent Dallas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paige Matheson</span> Soap opera character

Paige Matheson is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress Nicollette Sheridan between 1986 and 1993. She debuted in the penultimate episode of the seventh season and remained in the series until the final episode in 1993. The character made her last television appearance in 1997, when she appeared in the Knots Landing reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.

Laura Avery Sumner is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress Constance McCashin between 1979 and 1987. She debuted in the pilot episode and remained a principal actor in the series until the ninth-season episode "The Gift of Life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen MacKenzie</span> Soap opera character

Karen MacKenzie is a long-running fictional character in the CBS primetime soap opera Knots Landing. Karen is portrayed by actress Michele Lee, and has appeared on the show since its pilot episode, first broadcast on December 27, 1979. Knots Landing follows the trials of four middle-class families living on a suburban cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in California. Lee portrayed Karen for the entire run of Knots Landing, being the sole cast member to appear in every episode of its fourteen seasons. At the time, her appearances in all 344 episodes set a record for an actress on American primetime television. Karen's storylines focus on family troubles, business dealings, addiction and kidnapping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abby Cunningham</span> Fictional character from the soap opera Knots Landing

Abby Fairgate is a fictional character from the CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress Donna Mills between 1980 and 1989. Abby was created by producer David Jacobs as one of Knots Landing's earliest characters. She debuted in the first episode of the second season. Mills remained a principal actor in the series until she left in its tenth season. She returned for the two-part series finale in 1993, and made her last appearance in 1997 when she appeared in the reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.

Cathy Geary Rush is a fictional character from the CBS soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress and singer Lisa Hartman Black between 1983 and 1986. She debuted in the seventh episode of the fifth season. Hartman remained in the series until the final episode of the seventh season. Hartman had previously played another character, Ciji Dunne, during the fourth season.

References

  1. 1 2 Wallace, David (November 21, 1983). "Knots Landing Gives Rather Than Receives Applause When Co-Star Julie Harris Takes the Stage". People . Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ Buck, Jerry (Aug 20, 1986). "Stage Gave Julie Harris Boost to Stardom". Orlando Sentinel . Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  3. ↑ David Jacobs (director), David Moessinger (writer) (January 25, 1980). "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". Knots Landing. Season 1. Episode 5. CBS.
  4. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (September 21, 1995). "Television Review; Visiting Isak Dinesen, via Julie Harris". New York Times . Retrieved November 10, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.