‘Knots Landing’ Star Constance McCashin AKA Laura Avery Reunites with Donna Mills after Leaving Hollywood
"Knots Landing" star Constance McCashin recently reunited with Donna Mills after she left Hollywood to pursue a different career. McCashin, who starred as Laura Avery, and Mills, were joined by William "Bill" Devane, who played Gregory Sumner for the mini "Knots Landing" reunion.
Constance McCashin poses for an exclusive photo session at her home in Los Angeles, California, on November 30, 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Constance McCashin is an actress, who has since retired from acting and works as a psychotherapist in West Newton, Massachusetts. She is also a mom of two and has been married to Sam Weisman since October 15, 1978.
Constance McCashin attends the CBS Television Party at The Bistro in Beverly Hills, California, on June 13, 1986. | Source: Getty Images
McCashin is known for her roles in "Obsessive Love," "Nightmare at Bittercreek," and "The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan." The movie star also starred as Laura Avery Sumner in the CBS prime-time soap opera "Knots Landing."
Back row from left, Douglas Sheehan, Ted Shackleford, Donna Mills, William Devane, Claudia Lonow, and Kevin Dobson: Front row from left, Constance McCashin, Julie Harris, Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, and Lisa Hartman. The "Knots Landing cast" in 1984. | Source: Getty Images
"Knots Landing" ran from 1979 to 1983. It focused on residents of Knots Landing, a coastal suburb of Los Angeles, as they dealt with problems such as murder, health scares, infidelity, and criminal investigations.
Donna Mills poses for a portrait session in Los Angeles, California, in circa 1984. | Source: Getty Images
McCashin starred in this soap opera alongside Donna Mills. Mills shared on her Instagram on March 19, 2024, that she was excited to meet McCashin and William Devane. Devane played Greg Sumner in "Knots Landing."
William Devane, a cast member of the TV soap opera series "Knots Landing," in 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Mills posted a cute photo of the trio and captioned it, "Was so thrilled to meet up with these two in the desert last week. Hadn’t seen Constance for a very long time and it’s been a few years since I’ve seen Bill, but it was just like old times. Funny and warm and wonderful. I am so lucky to have them in my life."
Fans commented on Mills' photo, "All three of you look fabulous. Thanks for posting." Another fan said, "The reunion we all want." "Wow! A Knots Landing Reunion!" a fan concurred.
Cast members of the 1982 CBS television series "Knots Landing" are (L-R top) Donna Mills, John Pleshette, Constance McCashin, Michele Lee, (L-R middle) Joan Van Ark, Ted Shackleford, Julie Harris, James Houghton, Kim Lankford, and (bottom) Claudia Lonow. | Source: Getty Images
A fan spoke of McCashin's appearance, "Constance looks the same, she was always a great love to hate her character! She looks fantastic." A fan also wrote, "Oh my gosh. Constance moved on to another career and never attended the reunions so just love seeing this!"
Constance McCashin arrives at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on April 19, 2009. | Source: Getty Images
McCashin's role in "Knots Landing" was loved by many fans and she won Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Prime Time Serial. However, she admitted that when she was filming the soap opera's pilot, she wasn't sure it would become the success it did.
Constance McCashin poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California in 1980. | Source: Getty Images
Over time, McCashin didn't focus on knowing whether the show was a hit or not. Soon, she realized it was a success when as a shy person, people started recognizing her in public. "When people started recognizing me, I would get very uncomfortable, which is my problem, it is not their problem," the actress acknowledged.
Constance McCashin poses for an exclusive photo session at her home in Los Angeles, California, on November 30, 1983. | Source: Getty Images
McCashin got into the entertainment scene at a young age. At just five years old, she was steered away from a typical childhood by her parents to participate in the legendary CBS children's show, "The Howdy Doody Show." Twenty-five years afterward, McCashin made her mark on "Knots Landing."
Constance McCashin poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. | Source: Getty Images
Subsequently, a distinguished acting coach from New York suggested McCashin seek therapy upon observing her difficulties in delving into life experiences for her roles. Initially guarded she found herself unable to authentically express emotions such as crying or anger within her scenes.
Constance McCashin poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. | Source: Getty Images
Taking this advice to heart, McCashin's acting abilities soared after embracing therapy. Remarkably, her personal connections also deepened and became more authentic. Aside from her nine-year stint on "Knots Landing," the actress did two seasons on the Golden Globe-winning comedy "Brooklyn Bridge."
Constance McCashin poses for an exclusive photo session at her home in Los Angeles, California, on November 30, 1983. | Source: Getty Images
Aware of the scarce opportunities available to older actresses, McCashin sought to enhance her career by pursuing higher education in addition to her acting endeavors. The actress completed her Masters in psychology and subsequently in Social Work from Simmons College in Boston. After studying, she merged her passion for performance with a newfound expertise in counseling.
Constance McCashin poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1980. | Source: Getty Images
Combining her background in comedy with her training in psychology, she found a unique niche in counseling, particularly with performing artists. McCashin specializes in areas such as body image issues and cognitive behavioral therapy as she wants to normalize common human responses to stress and societal pressures.
Constance McCashin arrives at the 7th Annual TV Land Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on April 19, 2009. | Source: Getty Images
Currently, McCashin is employed at the counseling center of Brandeis University and holds a teaching position in the university's theater department as well. She applies her varied expertise to create a secure and unbiased environment for her clients.
McCashin draws parallels between acting and personal growth, she guides individuals in rehearsing and revealing their authentic selves to the world.
Cast of "Knots Landing" pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1982. | Source: Getty Images
Now, fans wonder if there will be a reunion of "Knots Landing."McCashin hasn't shared her views on this but her former co-star Mills opened up on this. The actress revealed that many people ask her whether the show will ever come back. Mills is surprised that fans want a reboot, noting that the producers only did DVDs for the first two episodes.
However, she added, "If it was up to me, they’d put it back on again and actually continue it. I think it’d really be interesting to see where those characters are today. We did one reunion episode, but another one this far down the line would be good." So, for "Knots Landing's" fans, a reboot remains a hope worth holding onto, regardless of its slim chances.