Joanna Gleason
Biography
Joanna Gleason Sarandon, born Joanne Hall on June 2, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is a Canadian-American actress and singer with sixty-six known acting credits. She is a Tony Award-winning musical theatre actress recognized for originating the role of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, a performance for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her film work includes appearances in Mike Nichols' Heartburn in 1986, Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and Crimes and Misdemeanors in 1989, and Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights in 1997. Her television roles include appearances in shows such as Friends, The West Wing, The Good Wife, and The Affair.
Career overview
Joanna Gleason Sarandon, born Joanne Hall on June 2, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is a Canadian-American actress and singer with 66 known acting credits listed on The Movie Database. She is a Tony Award-winning musical theatre actress renowned for originating the role of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, a performance that earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
In addition to her theatre work, she has built a notable career in film. Her cinematic credits include appearances in Mike Nichols' Heartburn in 1986, Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and Crimes and Misdemeanors in 1989, and Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights in 1997.
Her television career features roles across several notable shows. She has made appearances in programs such as Friends, The West Wing, The Good Wife, and The Affair.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- This Ordinary Thing (2025) as Self (voice)
- Elsbeth (2024) as Maura Davidoff
- The Grotto (2022) Writer
- The Grotto (2022) Director
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- The Good Fight (2017) as Judge Carmella Romano
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015) as Janice Hoffman
- The Affair (2014) as Yvonne
- The Skeleton Twins (2014) as Judy
- Russian Broadway Shut Down (2014)
- Last Vegas (2013) as Miriam Harris
- The Newsroom (2012) as Nancy Skinner
- Blue Bloods (2010) as Grace Newhouse
- How to Make It in America (2010)
- Sondheim! The Birthday Concert (2010) as Self
- The Good Wife (2009) as Judge Carmella Romano
- The Rebound (2009) as Roberta Finklestein
- The Unusuals (2009)
- Sex and the City (2008) as Therapist
- My Sassy Girl (2008) as Kitty / Aunt Sally
- The Women (2008) as Barbara
- The Girl in the Park (2007) as Sarah Graczyk
- Wedding Daze (2006) as Lois
- The Reichen Show (2005) as Self
- Fathers and Sons (2005) as Silvia
- The Apprentice: Martha Stewart (2005)
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories (2002) as Self
- The Wedding Planner (2001) as Mrs. Donolly
- Bette (2000) as Connie Randolph
- The West Wing (1999) as Jordon Kendall
- Let the Devil Wear Black (1999) as Dr. Rona Harvey
- Oh Baby (1998) as Charlotte St. John
- King of the Hill (1997) as Marie's Mother (voice)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Maddy Platter (voice)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Receptionist (voice)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Nurse (voice)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Operator (voice)
- The Practice (1997) as Defense Atty. Henrietta Lightstone
- Boogie Nights (1997) as Dirk's Mother
- Perversions of Science (1997) as Mrs. Rabe
- George & Leo (1997)
- Temporarily Yours (1997) as Joan Silver
- American Perfekt (1997) as Shirley
- Road Ends (1997) as Armacost
- Tracey Takes On... (1996)
- If These Walls Could Talk (1996) as Julia
- The Louie Show (1996) Director
- Edie & Pen (1996) as Maude
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Leslie
- Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) as Gertrude Lang as an adult
- Friends (1994) as Kim Clozzi
- ER (1994) as Iris
- For the Love of Aaron (1994) as Shirley
- Born Too Soon (1993) as Annemarie
- Love & War (1992) as Nadine Berkus
- Love & War (1992) Director
- For Richer, for Poorer (1992) as Irene
- F/X2 (1991) as Liz Kennedy, Assistant DA
- Into the Woods (1991) as Baker's Wife
- The Boys (1991) as Marie
- Life Under Water (1989) as Jinx
- Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as Wendy Stern
- Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) as Carol
- Heartburn (1986) as Diana
- Still the Beaver (1983) as Kimberly
- Great Day (1983) as Jennifer Simpson
- American Playhouse (1982) as Jinx
- American Playhouse (1982) as The Baker's Wife
- Hello, Larry (1979) as Morgan Winslow
- Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
- Penny
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joanna Gleason best known for?
Joanna Gleason is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Elsbeth (2024), Stars in the House (2020), The Good Fight (2017), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015).
When and where was Joanna Gleason born?
Joanna Gleason was born on June 2, 1950 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
How many credits does Joanna Gleason have?
Joanna Gleason has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1978 to 2025.
What is Joanna Gleason's background in cinema and television?
Joanna Gleason Sarandon, born Joanne Hall on June 2, 1950, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is a Canadian-American actress and singer with sixty-six known acting credits. She is a Tony Award-winning musical theatre actress recognized for originating the role of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, a per...