Joan Cusack is an American actress with an estimated net worth of $20 million. Known for her distinctive comedic timing and emotionally grounded performances, Cusack has built her wealth through a long and consistent career in film, television, and voice acting spanning more than four decades.
She is the sister of actors John Cusack and Ann Cusack, and she has earned critical acclaim for her work in hit movies such as Working Girl, In & Out, School of Rock, and the Toy Story franchise.
| Joan Cusack Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1962 |
| Place of Birth | New York City |
Early Life
Joan Cusack was born Joan Mary Cusack on October 11, 1962, in New York City. She was raised in a Catholic household in Evanston, Illinois, alongside her siblings John, Ann, Susie, and Bill. Her mother, Nancy Cusack, was a math teacher and political activist, while her father, Dick Cusack, was an actor and documentary filmmaker.
Cusack attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a degree in English in 1984.
Saturday Night Live
Cusack made her film debut in 1980, appearing in Cutting Loose and My Bodyguard. She gained wider recognition in the early 1980s with roles in Class, Sixteen Candles, and Grandview, U.S.A.
In 1985, Joan joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, where she appeared for one season and became known for impersonations of celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Brooke Shields. After leaving SNL, she transitioned into a steady film career that would define her long-term success.
Film Breakthrough
Cusack’s breakthrough came with “Working Girl” (1988), which earned her the first of two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. She followed this with a string of notable roles in the 1990s, including:
- Say Anything… (1989)
- My Blue Heaven (1990)
- Addams Family Values (1993)
- Nine Months (1995)
- Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
Her performance in “In & Out” (1997) earned her a second Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe nomination, further cementing her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most reliable supporting actresses.

Voice Acting
A major contributor to Joan Cusack net worth has been her work in animation. She voiced Jessie in Pixar’s Toy Story films:
- Toy Story 2 (1999)
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Toy Story 4 (2019)
The three films grossed more than $2.6 billion worldwide, making Jessie one of the most successful animated characters in film history. Cusack has also voiced characters in Chicken Little, Arthur Christmas, Klaus, and several children’s television series.
Television Success
In the early 2000s, Cusack starred in the ABC sitcom “What About Joan?”, followed by a series of high-profile film roles, including School of Rock (2003), which grossed over $130 million globally.
From 2011 to 2015, Joan played Sheila Jackson on Showtime’s “Shameless.” The role earned her multiple Primetime Emmy nominations and a win in 2015, adding television success to her already impressive résumé.
She later appeared in The Office, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Homecoming, and several Netflix and Amazon productions.
Personal Life
Joan Cusack married attorney Richard Burke in 1993. The couple has two sons, Dylan and Miles. Burke later became the CEO of Envoy Global, a major immigration technology company.
In 2011, Cusack opened a boutique gift shop in Chicago called Judy Maxwell Home, inspired by her favorite film What’s Up, Doc?
Awards
Joan Cusack’s accolades include:
- 2 Academy Award nominations
- 1 Primetime Emmy Award
- Golden Globe nomination
- Multiple American Comedy Awards
- Annie Award for voice acting (Toy Story 2)
- Induction into the Online Film & Television Association Hall of Fame
Her career is defined by consistency, versatility, and critical respect.
Real Estate Investments
In 2007, Cusack and her husband purchased a $5.3 million mansion in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The 8,000-square-foot property features six bedrooms, multiple fireplaces, a library, and an indoor swimming pool.
Previously, the couple sold their Ravenswood home for $4.66 million, which they had originally purchased in 1998 for $905,000.
Joan Cusack Net Worth
Joan Cusack net worth is estimated to be $20 million.
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