Joan Cusack

Joan Cusack (also credited as Joanna Mary Cusack and Joan Mary Cusack) is an American screen and voice actress born on October 11, 1962, in New York City. Celebrated as a standout character performer, she’s known for a distinctive voice, sharp comic rhythm, and a gift for playing delightfully anxious yet deeply human roles.

Cusack earned major awards attention early, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for Working Girl (as Cyn) and In & Out. Her filmography spans smart comedies and dramas alike, with notable turns in Married to the Mob (Rose), Where the Heart Is (Ruth Meyers), Arlington Road (Cheryl Lang), High Fidelity (Liz), and My Sister’s Keeper (Judge De Salvo).

On television, Cusack joined Saturday Night Live in the mid-1980s and later became a fan favorite on Shameless as Sheila Jackson, a performance that brought multiple Emmy nominations and a win in 2015. She is also beloved by animation audiences as Jessie in the Toy Story franchise, including Toy Story 3, adding warmth and wit to one of Pixar’s most enduring characters.