Joan Cusack, an American actress, was born on October 11, 1962, in New York City. Her parents were Dick Cusack, an advertising executive, actor, and writer, and Ann Paula "Nancy" (née Carolan), a math teacher. The Cusack family is Irish-American and Catholic. Joan is the second of five children, and her siblings Ann, Bill, John, and Susie have also pursued careers in the entertainment industry. Joan's early life was spent in Evanston, Illinois, where she attended the Piven Theatre Workshop as a teenager, laying the foundation for her acting career. Cusack made her mark in Hollywood with her unique comedic style and ability to deliver memorable performances in both supporting and leading roles. Her breakthrough came in 1988 when she played the character of Cyn in Working Girl, earning her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Over the years, she has appeared in a wide range of films, including In & Out, Addams Family Values, and School of Rock, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. Notably, Cusack received a second Academy Award nomination for her role in In & Out in 1997. Outside of her film career, Cusack has made significant contributions to television and voice acting. She starred in the Showtime hit series Shameless and lent her voice to the character of Jessie in the popular Toy Story franchise. Despite her success, Cusack remains grounded and committed to her craft. She returned to her hometown of Chicago and co-owns a theater called The Gift Theatre. Her dedication to the arts and her impressive body of work have solidified Joan Cusack's place as one of Hollywood's most respected actresses.