Joan Cusack: Why She Stopped Acting, Marriage, Family Today

You know that feeling when a familiar face disappears from the big screen and you wonder where they went? That’s Joan Cusack — the actress with the unmistakable voice and offbeat charm who seemed to vanish from Hollywood’s radar after the early 2000s, and as she explained, it was a deliberate choice to prioritize raising her two children in Chicago. Here’s a fact-checked look at her career, family life, and what she’s doing now.

Born: October 11, 1962 · Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA · Known for: Distinctive voice and offbeat comedic timing · Years active: 1980–present · Marital status: Married to Richard Burke (since 1996) · Children: 2

Here are key facts about Joan Cusack’s life and career:

Why did Joan Cusack stop acting?

Joan Cusack hasn’t announced a retirement, but she has dramatically reduced her on-screen output. In a 2025 interview, she explained that after having children, she deliberately chose to stay home rather than travel for work.

“I didn’t really want to take acting work because I always had to go away. It’s great to live your life.”

Joan Cusack, via Yahoo Entertainment

Did Joan Cusack retire from acting?

No. She has continued to take voice roles, most notably as Jessie in the Toy Story franchise. Her most recent public appearance was at the June 2026 premiere of Toy Story 5, marking her first red carpet in 11 years (Yahoo Entertainment). The long gap fits a pattern: Cusack built a career almost entirely on supporting roles rather than leading ones (Biography.com).

What was Joan Cusack’s last major film role?

Her last widely released live-action feature was The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012). Since then, her only big-screen appearances have been voice roles. The pattern suggests she’s not opposed to acting, just highly selective about roles that don’t require extended travel.

The implication: Her career trajectory is a deliberate trade‑off between professional ambition and personal fulfillment.

Did Joan Cusack ever marry?

Joan Cusack married attorney Richard Burke in 1996. The couple has two sons and lives in Chicago. Burke is not a public figure, and Cusack has kept details of their relationship largely private.

Who is Joan Cusack married to?

Richard Burke is a lawyer based in Chicago. The couple has been married for over 25 years, and Cusack has cited her marriage and children as the primary reason she scaled back her acting work.

How long has Joan Cusack been married?

As of 2024, she has been married for 28 years.

The catch: Her decision to marry outside the industry further insulated her from Hollywood’s demands.

Do John and Joan Cusack get along?

Joan and her brother John Cusack have appeared together in multiple films, including Say Anything… (1989) and Grosse Pointe Blank (1997). Both have spoken positively about each other in interviews, describing a close sibling bond.

Are John and Joan Cusack close?

Yes. John has described Joan as “the funniest person I know” in past interviews. They grew up in a family of actors — their father Dick was an actor — which likely reinforced their connection.

Have John and Joan Cusack worked together?

They have co-starred in at least six films, including Broadway Danny Rose (1984) and High Fidelity (2000). Their on-screen chemistry reflects their real-life familiarity.

What is Joan Cusack doing today?

Joan Cusack lives in Chicago with her husband and two children. She rarely gives interviews and has no announced live-action projects. Her most recent public appearance was at the Toy Story 5 premiere in June 2026.

Is Joan Cusack still acting?

Yes, but only in voice roles. She reprised her role as Jessie in Toy Story 4 (2019) and Toy Story 5 (2026). There is no indication she is pursuing new live-action work.

What projects is Joan Cusack working on in 2024?

As of 2024, she has not announced any upcoming projects. Her last confirmed work is the voice role in Toy Story 5, which premiered in 2026.

What this means: She has built a balanced life that prioritizes her children while keeping a toe in the industry.

Are Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack friends in real life?

Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack co-starred in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997). During the film’s promotion, both described a warm working relationship and mutual respect. However, there are no public records indicating a close personal friendship outside of that project.

Did Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack work together?

Yes, they played best friends in My Best Friend’s Wedding, a romantic comedy that became a box office hit.

What is the nature of Julia Roberts and Joan Cusack’s friendship?

According to promotional interviews, they got along well during filming. Roberts has complimented Cusack’s comic timing, and Cusack has called Roberts “generous.” Whether they remain in regular contact is unclear.

The pattern: On‑set camaraderie often fades after a film wraps, especially when one actor steps away from the spotlight.

Timeline

• 1962 — Born in New York City.
• 1980s — Began acting in film and television.
• 1996 — Married Richard Burke.
• 2012 — Last major live-action film: The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Biography.com).
• 2019 — Voiced Jessie in Toy Story 4.
• 2026 — Voiced Jessie in Toy Story 5; first red carpet in 11 years (Yahoo Entertainment).

Takeaway: Her timeline highlights the deliberate shift from live‑action to voice work, all anchored by her family in Chicago.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• Joan Cusack married Richard Burke in 1996 (IMDb biography).
• She has two children (Biography.com).
• She voiced Jessie in the Toy Story films (IMDb biography).
• She has not officially retired from acting (Yahoo Entertainment).
• Her red-carpet break lasted 11 years until June 2026 (Yahoo Entertainment).

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for her reduced workload beyond family priorities.
• Whether she will take on future live-action roles.
• The current status of her friendship with Julia Roberts.
• What motivated her to settle permanently in Chicago.
• Whether any new voice roles are in development.

The gap: The public record leaves several open questions about her future plans and off‑screen relationships.

Quotes

“I didn’t really want to take acting work because I always had to go away. It’s great to live your life.”

Joan Cusack, Yahoo Entertainment

“Joan is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She makes everything better.”

John Cusack, from a published interview (All American Speakers)

“She’s a brilliant talent. Working with her was a joy.”

Julia Roberts, promotional interview for My Best Friend’s Wedding (archived press coverage)

Joan Cusack’s story is a reminder that stepping away from the spotlight can be a deliberate, contented choice. For fans, the implication is clear: her return for Toy Story 5 proves she hasn’t closed the door, but any future projects will have to fit the personal life she built in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

For more on actors who stepped back from Hollywood, read about Lauren German and Ian Somerhalder.