Biography for
Joanna Cassidy (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

2 August 1945, Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA

Birth Name

Joanna Virginia Caskey

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

Lovely, vivacious, smart-looking Joanna Cassidy was born in Camden, New Jersey and raised in Haddonfield, a borough located in Camden County. Joanna grew up in a creative environment as the daughter and granddaughter of artists. At an early age she engaged in painting and sculpture and went on to major in art at Syracuse University in New York. During her time there she married Kennard C. Kobrin in 1964, a doctor in residency, and found work as a fashion model to help work his way to a degree. The couple moved to San Francisco where her husband set up a psychiatric practice; Joanna continued modeling and eventually giving birth to a son and daughter. Following their divorce ten years later, she decided to move to Los Angeles in a bid for an acting career.

In between modeling chores and occasional commercial bites, the reddish-haired beauty found minor, decorative work as an actress in such action fare as Steve McQueen's thriller Bullitt (1968), the Jason Robards drama Fools (1970), The Laughing Policeman (1973) starring Walter Matthau and The Outfit (1973) with Robert Duvall. Her first co-starring role came opposite George C. Scott in the offbeat comedy caper Bank Shot (1974).

Television became an important medium for her in the late 70s with guest parts on all the popular shows of the time, both comedic and dramatic, including "Dallas," "Trapper John, M.D., "Taxi, "Starsky & Hutch," "Charlie's Angels," "Lou Grant" and a recurring role on "Falcon Crest". A regular on the sketch/variety show "Shields and Yarnell" (1977), which showcased the popular mime couple, Joanne languished in three failed series attempts "The Roller Girls" (1978), "240-Robert" (1979), and "The Family Tree" (1983) before hitting the bull's eye with the sitcom "Buffalo Bill" (1983) opposite Dabney Coleman, where Joanna finally had the opportunity to demonstrate her flair for offbeat comedy. The show became that's season's critical darling with Coleman playing a vain, sexist, obnoxious talk show host (a variation of his popular "9 to 5" film character) and Joanna received a Golden Globe for her resourceful portrayal of Jo Jo White, the director of his show and romantic foil for Coleman, who stood toe-to-toe with his antics.

The 1980s also brought about positive, critical reception for Joanna on film as well, especially in a number of showy portrayals, notably her snake-dancing replicant in the futuristic sci-fi thriller Blade Runner (1982), her radio journalist involved with Nick Nolte and Ed Harris in the political drama Under Fire (1983), and her co-starring role in a wacky triangle with Bob Hoskins and a hyperkinetic hare in the highly ambitious part toon/part fantasy film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). Back on the TV front she was seen in recurring roles on "L.A. Law," "Diagnosis Murder," "The District" and "Boston Legal".

Since then Joanna has juggled a number of quality film and TV assignments, a definitive highlight being her Emmy-nominated recurring role as a quirky, capricious mother/psychiatrist in the cult cable series "Six Feet Under" (2001). More recently she has taken part in more controversial film work that contain stronger social themes such as Anthrax (2001), a Canadian political thriller whose storyline feeds on the fear of terrorism; The Virgin of Juarez (2006), which chronicled the murders of hundreds of Mexican women; and the gay-themed pictures Anderson's Cross (2007) and Kiss the Bride (2007).

Off-camera Joanna is devoted to her art (painting, sculpting) and is a dedicated animal activist as well as golfer and antique collector. She presently resides in the Los Angeles area with her dogs.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Spouse

Dr. Kennard C. Kobrin

(1964 - 1974) (divorced) 2 children

Trivia

Measurements: 36C-25-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Robert Foxworth: "Falcon Crest" (1981), "Six Feet Under" (2001) and "Enterprise" (2001).

Was replaced by Paula Prentiss after two weeks of filming on The Stepford Wives (1975).

Auditioned and won the role for the TV series "Wonder Woman" (1976) but director Jack Arnold absolutely refused to be involved with the series unless he had Lynda Carter. Lynda had the role from that point on. Ironically, Lynda auditioned for the original TV movie version of Wonder Woman (1974) (TV) but the role went to Cathy Lee Crosby.

Joanna's trademark infectious, roaring cackle is her natural laugh.

Studied art for one year at Syracuse University.

Elected to the 2007-2008 Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors.

In the spring of 2007, she donned Zhora's costume once more, 25 years after the release of Blade Runner (1982), in order to recreate a climactic scene from the film for the fall 2007 Final Cut release of the film. In the original release, a stunt performer played out Zhora's death scene, with the physical differences between the performer and Cassidy very evident (including the stunt person wearing a different wig). For the final cut, Cassidy's head was digitally transposed onto footage of the stunt performer, making the death scene fit continuity. Cassidy herself suggested this be done; she is captured on video making the suggestion during filming of a retrospective interview.

She has a son and a daughter with her ex-husband.

Personal Quotes

It used to be such a stigma, making that transition to various entertainment medias. There are a couple of actresses who have cut it quite well and I consider myself one. You have to work, you have to have your craft. Every job you do, you gain more experience. You never stop learning.

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