Who Was Tom Parker? A Look at the Artist and First Husband of Actress Lara Parker
Tom Parker was an American artist and the first husband of Lara Parker, the actress best known for her role as Angelique on the ABC-TV serial Dark Shadows. He was also the father of two sons, Rick and Andy Parker.
Parker was born in 1936 in New York City. He grew up in a creative family, as his father was a painter and his mother was a writer. He attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where he studied art and met Lara Parker (then Mary Lamar Rickey), who was studying philosophy. They fell in love and married in 1959 when they were both 23 years old.
Tom Parker Career and Achievements
Parker pursued a career as an artist, specializing in abstract expressionism. He exhibited his paintings in various galleries and museums across the country, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Guggenheim Museum. Tom Parker also taught art at several colleges and universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and the Art Center College of Design.
Personal Life and Family
According to factynews.com, Tom and Lara Parker had two sons, Rick and Andy, who were born in 1960 and 1962 respectively. They moved to Los Angeles in 1966, when Lara Parker got her breakthrough role as Angelique on Dark Shadows. However, their marriage suffered from the strain of Lara’s busy schedule and Tom’s alcoholism. They divorced in 1974, after 15 years of marriage.
Tom Parker never remarried and remained close to his sons. He also maintained a friendly relationship with Lara Parker, who remarried twice and had a daughter with her second husband. Tom Parker died in 1993 at the age of 57 from liver failure.
Meet the Kids of Dark Shadows Star Lara Parker
Lara Parker, the actress who played the witch Angelique on the cult classic TV show Dark Shadows, passed away at the age of 84. She died on October 12, 2023. She left behind a legacy of work in film, theater, and literature, as well as a loving family. But who are her children, and what are they doing now? Here is what we know about them.
Rick Parker
Rick Parker is the eldest son of Lara Parker and her first husband, Tom Parker, an artist. He was born in 1960 and grew up in Wisconsin with his parents and younger brother, Andy. Rick followed his mother’s footsteps and pursued a career in the entertainment industry.
He became a successful record producer, working with artists such as Miranda Lee Richards (who is also his wife), The Dandy Warhols, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. He also composed music for films and TV shows, such as The Virgin Suicides, The O.C., and Veronica Mars. Rick has two children with Miranda, a son named Lucien and a daughter named Harlow.
Andy Parker
Andy Parker is the second son of Lara Parker and Tom Parker. He was born in 1962 and also grew up in Wisconsin. Unlike his brother, Andy chose a different path and became a contractor. He moved to Los Angeles and started his own company, Parker Construction.
He specializes in building custom homes and renovating historic properties. He has worked on projects for celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Ellen DeGeneres. Andy is married to Lisa Parker, a real estate agent. They have three children, a son named Max and two daughters named Ruby and Lola.
Caitlin Hawkins
Caitlin Hawkins is the only daughter of Lara Parker and her second husband, Jimmy Hawkins, a building contractor. She was born in 1985 and grew up in Los Angeles with her parents. Caitlin inherited her mother’s artistic talent and became a set designer and stylist for videos and commercials.
She has worked with brands such as Nike, Adidas, Apple, and Coca-Cola. She has also collaborated with musicians such as Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga. Caitlin is married to Matt Hawkins, a director and photographer. They have two children, a son named Finn and a daughter named Olive.
A Family of Creativity
Lara Parker’s children are all successful in their own fields and share their mother’s passion for creativity. They have also expressed their love and admiration for her on social media and in interviews.
They have described her as a supportive, inspiring, and fun-loving mother who encouraged them to follow their dreams. They have also honored her legacy by continuing her work on Dark Shadows. Rick has produced audio dramas based on the show, Andy has appeared as an extra in the 2012 film adaptation starring Johnny Depp, and Caitlin has designed merchandise for the fans. Lara Parker’s children are a testament to her talent, spirit, and love.
Net Worth and Legacy
Tom Parker’s net worth at the time of his death is not known, but he was considered a successful and respected artist in his field. His paintings are still displayed in various collections and exhibitions around the world. He is also remembered as the first love and husband of Lara Parker, who paid tribute to him in her memoirs and novels based on Dark Shadows.
Quick Summary
| Name | Tom Parker | Lara Parker |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1936 | 1938 |
| Birth Place | New York City, USA | Knoxville, Tennessee, USA |
| Education | Pratt Institute, Brooklyn | Vassar College, Poughkeepsie; Rice University, Houston; UCLA, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Artist | Actress, Author |
| Spouse(s) | Lara Parker (1959-1974) | Tom Parker (1959-1974); James Hawkins (1980) |
| Children | Rick Parker (b. 1960); Andy Parker (b. 1962) | Rick Parker (b. 1960); Andy Parker (b. 1962); Caitlin Elizabeth Hawkins (b. 1985) |
| Notable Works | Abstract expressionist paintings exhibited in various galleries and museums | Dark Shadows (1966-1971); The Night Stalker (1972); The Six Million Dollar Man (1974); Dark Shadows novels and audio dramas |
| Death Year | 1993 | October 12, 2023 |
| Wikipedia Page | NA | @Lara_Parker |
Trivia
- He was a fan of jazz music and played the saxophone.
- He was inspired by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko.
- Parker was a supporter of civil rights and social justice movements.
- Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed literature, poetry, and philosophy.
- Tom Parker was a loving father who encouraged his sons to pursue their passions.
