Joan Mary Cusack is an American actress best known for her roles in films such as ‘Working Girl’ and ‘In & Out’ for which she received Oscar nominations. She is also known for playing the voice role of Jessie in the Toy Story franchise. Cusack was born in New York and raised in Illinois. She was encouraged by her parents from an early age to explore her creativity. As a young woman, she learned acting at the Story Theater and The Ark. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in English. She began her acting career while still at the university and gained mainstream popularity after joining the famous show ‘Saturday Night Live’. Cusack won her first Oscar nomination for her role in the film ‘Working Girl’. The film, which was directed by Mike Nichols, was also a critical and commercial success. She was later nominated for another Oscar for her role in the film ‘In & Out’. She is also known for her voice work in the animated films ‘Toy Story 2’ and ‘Toy Story 3’. A much decorated artiste, she is the winner of numerous prestigious awards including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.