Joan Cusack is an American actress known for her roles in comedy and drama films. Born on October 11, 1962, in New York City, she grew up in a family rich in artistic talent. Her father, Dick Cusack, was an actor and writer, while her brother, John Cusack, also became a famous Hollywood star. Joan is the third child of five siblings, and this family environment shaped her interest in acting from an early age.

Early Career

Cusack began her career in the late 1970s through theater and television shows. She studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she joined an improvisational comedy group. Her film debut came in 1980 with My Bodyguard, but her supporting role in Class (1983) started to attract attention. She often collaborated with her brother John in films like Sixteen Candles (1984) and Broadcast News (1987).

Career Peak and Awards

Cusack reached the peak of her popularity in the 1980s and 1990s through John Hughes' iconic films, such as Working Girl (1988) alongside Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford. Her role as Cyn, the sarcastic best friend, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress—the first of two she received.

The second nomination came from In & Out (1997), where she played a woman left at the altar by her gay fiancé. Cusack also succeeded in animated films, voicing Jessie the cowgirl in the Toy Story franchise (1999, 2010, 2019), which made her popular among children. Her energetic and funny voice acting became a trademark.

In addition, she appeared in TV series like Shameless (2011-2015) as Sheila Jackson, earning her an Emmy Award nomination. In total, Cusack has starred in over 50 films and TV shows, including School of Rock (2003) and Addams Family Values (1993).

Personal Life

Cusack has been married to lawyer Richard Burke since 1993 and has two sons. She is known as a humble person who rarely appears on social media and focuses more on family and artistic projects. Although her brother John often gets more spotlight, Joan remains respected as a versatile actress skilled in comedic timing and unique facial expressions.