Allen attended Rochelle Township High School, and was voted most likely to succeed. Allen began her acting career as a stage actress and on television before making her film debut in the movie, Compromising Positions (1985).

In 1989 Allen returned to the stage and won a Tony Award in her Broadway debut performance in Burn This. She also starred in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Heidi Chronicles.She received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Pat Nixon in Nixon (1995). She was also nominated for Best Actress in The Contender. Allen is respected by her peers both for her professionalism and the intense preparation she brings to each of her roles. Brian Cox, her co-star in Manhunter and The Bourne Supremacy, called Allen the finest actress he had ever worked with and one of the best in the business.

In 1990, Allen married actor Peter Friedman. The couple separated in 2002, but live close to each other to share time with their daughter, Sadie.

Public Name: Joan Allen
Date of Birth: August 20, 1956
Place of Birth: Rochelle, Illinois, USA

Filmography

• The Rape of Europa (2007)
• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
• Good Sharma (2006)
• Bonneville (2006)
• The Upside of Anger (2005)
• Yes (2004)
• The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
• The Notebook (2004)
• Off the Map (2003)
• The Mists of Avalon (2001)
• The Contender (2000)
• When the Sky Falls (2000)
• All the Rage (1999)
• "Saturday Night Live" (1 episode, 1998)
• Pleasantville (1998)
• Face/Off (1997)
• The Ice Storm (1997)
• The Crucible (1996)
• "Frasier" (1 episode, 1996)
• Nixon (1995)
• Mad Love (1995)
• Josh and S.A.M. (1993)
• Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
• Ethan Frome (1993)
• Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991)
• In Country (1989)
• Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
• "The Twilight Zone" (1 episode, 1987)
• The Room Upstairs (1987)
• Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
• Zeisters (1986)
• Manhunter (1986)
• All My Sons (1986)
• Compromising Positions (1985)
• "Evergreen" (1985)
• Say Goodnight, Gracie (1983)

Awards

• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "Pleasantville" 1998
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actress "Pleasantville" 1998
• Golden Satellite Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) "Pleasantville" 1998
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actress "Pleasantville" 1998
• Online Film Critics Society Award Best Supporting Actress "Pleasantville" 1998
• ShoWest Supporting Actress of the Year Award 1998
• Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actress "The Crucible" 1996
• Boston Society of Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• Chicago Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• National Society of Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• Society of Texas Film Critics Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• South Florida Film Critics' Association Award Best Supporting Actress "Nixon" 1995
• Tony Lead Actress in a Play "Burn This" 1988
• Joseph Jefferson Award Best Actress "A Lesson From Aloes" 1986
• Clarence Derwent Award Most Promising Actress "And a Nightingale Sang" 1984
• Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play "And a Nightingale Sang" 1984
• Outer Critics Circle Award "And a Nightingale Sang" 1984
• Theatre World Award "And a Nightingale Sang" 1984
• Joseph Jefferson Award Best Actress "And a Nightingale Sang" 1983