Why do we love Joan? Drama is easy, comedy is hard. This old Hollywood axiom makes Joan Cusack one of the most brilliant actresses of our day. Getting her start in the Evanston theater group that would later nurture her brother John, Joan first broke into movies as the goofy sidekick with dead-on comic timing. She proved that she was much more than a clown in her roles, though, making herself vulnerable and real despite some of the over-the-top antics of her characters. Not fitting Hollywood's definition of what makes a leading actress has frustrated her career path a bit, but Joan has persevered with sheer talent—which has led to two Oscar nominations (more than her leading-man brother can boast)—and shown that success in Hollywood needn't rely on those narrow definitions of what women are good for. Now launching her own television show, Joan is taking charge of her world even more. Comedy may be hard, but talent like Joan's makes it look easy. Biography: Born - October 11, 1962 New York, New York Achievements: Along with her family, was awarded the Commitment to Chicago Award in 2000 by the Chicago Film Critics Association. Winner of the 2000 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Female Performer in an Animated Feature Production for her role as Cowgirl Jessie in Toy Story 2. Twice nominated Best Supporting Actress Oscar for In & Out (1997) and Working Girl (1988). Won the 1998 Best Supporting Actress Award from the the New York Film Critics Circle, Society of Texas Film Critics, Golden Satellite, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association for In & Out. Three times American Comedy Award winner for Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Runaway Bride (2000), In & Out (1998), and Working Girl (1989). In her own words -- On character and the importance of the mundane: " There are way more different character roles for men than there are for women. With women, it's usually you're the babe or you're the supportive friend, sort of brassy and obnoxious, cracking jokes. I'm not the babe." "Being a mother is so deep, powerful, and incredible! it is just mindblowing! What I love about it the most is that it is so mundane. It's the mundane things that are the most important in life."   March 30   •   Home