Joan Cusack

Actor, Writer, Soundtrack

Birthdate: Oct 11, 1962

Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA

Actress Joan Cusack was born on October 11, 1962 in New York City and is the daughter of Nancy (née Carolan) and Dick Cusack. Her father was an advertising executive, writer and actor, and her mother was a mathematics teacher. Her siblings - Susie Cusack, John Cusack, Ann Cusack and Bill Cusack are also actors. Her family is of Irish descent.

Raised in Evanston, Illinois, Cusack was actively encouraged to explore her creativity by her parents, and as a child, she joined the Piven Theater Workshop. She went on to learn and perform improvisation at the Story Theater and The Ark. Later, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a bachelor's degree in English. Whilst at university, Cusack took some small film roles, but her big break came after graduation, when she joined the cast of the legendary "Saturday Night Live". However, she only stayed for one season before moving onto explore other projects.

Cusack produced a memorable turn in the acclaimed Broadcast News (1987), and she earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in Working Girl (1988). Other notable films include Addams Family Values (1993), Corrina, Corrina (1994), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) and In & Out (1997), which earned her a second Oscar nomination. One of her most well-known roles was Rosalie Mullins, the principal of Horace Green Elementary School in School of Rock (2003). She also provided, superbly, the voice of Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl in Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019). On television, she scored a role on Shameless (2011), with her work garnering her an Emmy nomination.

Joan Cusack is married to an attorney, Dick Burke. They have two sons - Dylan and Miles.

Known For

In & Out
In & Out

(1997)

Grosse Pointe Blank
Grosse Pointe Blank

(1997)

Working Girl
Working Girl

(1988)

Joan Cusack Movies

actor

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Previous (55)

  • 2026 |

    Toy Story 5

    asJessie
  • 2019 |
    Klaus
  • 2019 |
    Let It Snow
  • 2019 |

    Klaus

    asMrs. Krum
  • 2019 |

    Toy Story 4

    asJessie
  • 2018 |

    Instant Family

    asMrs. Howard
  • 2017 |
    Unicorn Store
  • 2017 |

    Snatched

    asBarb
  • 2016 |

    Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

    asTilly
  • 2015 |
    Freaks of Nature
  • 2015 |
    The End of the Tour
  • 2014 |
    Welcome to Me
  • 2013 |
    Full Body Whisper
  • 2011 |

    Arthur Christmas

    asLead Elf
  • 2011 |
    Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
  • 2011 |

    Mars Needs Moms

    asMom
  • 2010 |

    Toy Story 3

    asJessie
  • 2009 |
    Toys in the Attic
  • 2009 |
    Confessions of a Shopaholic
  • 2008 |
    Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
  • 2008 |
    War, Inc.
  • 2007 |
    Martian Child
  • 2006 |
    Friends with Money
  • 2005 |
    Chicken Little
  • 2005 |

    Chicken Little

    asAbby Mallard
  • 2005 |
    Ice Princess
  • 2004 |
    Raising Helen
  • 2003 |
    Looney Tunes: Back in Action
  • 2003 |
    School of Rock
  • 2003 |

    School of Rock

    asRosalie Mullins
  • 2000 |
    Where the Heart Is
  • 2000 |
    High Fidelity
  • 1999 |
    Cradle Will Rock
  • 1999 |

    Toy Story 2

  • 1999 |
    Runaway Bride
  • 1999 |
    Arlington Road
  • 1997 |
    In & Out
  • 1997 |
    A Smile Like Yours
  • 1997 |
    Grosse Pointe Blank
  • 1995 |
    Two Much
  • 1996 |
    Mr. Wrong
  • 1995 |
    Nine Months
  • 1993 |
    Addams Family Values
  • 1993 |

    Addams Family Values

    asDebbie Jellinsky
  • 1992 |
    Toys
  • 1992 |
    Hero
  • 1991 |
    The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez
  • 1990 |
    My Blue Heaven
  • 1990 |
    Men Don't Leave
  • 1988 |
    Stars and Bars
  • 1988 |
    Working Girl
  • 1988 |
    Married to the Mob
  • 1987 |
    Broadcast News
  • 1987 |
    The Allnighter
  • 1980 |
    My Bodyguard