Joanna Cassidy bio, relationships, career, and more
Who is Joanna Cassidy?
Born on August 2, 1945, Joanna Cassidy is an American actress. She is a Golden Globe Award winner and a three-time Emmy Award nominee. Likewise, Cassidy has been nominated for a Saturn Award and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Quick facts
Full name | Joanna Virginia Caskey |
Known as | Joanna Cassidy |
Birthday | August 2, 1945 |
Age | 78 years old |
Sun sign | Leo |
Place of birth | Haddonfield, New Jersey, United States |
Education | Haddonfield Memorial High School |
Early life, upbringing, and education
Joanna Cassidy was born on August 2, 1945, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Her full name is Joanna Virginia Caskey.
Her mother’s name is Virginia Caskey, and her father is Joe Caskey. When it comes to her education, Joanna studied at the Haddonfield Memorial High School in New Jersey. The actress described herself as being a “rowdy kid” growing up.
Joanna was known for her howling laughter since her high school days. In fact, her loud and infectious laughter has been captured in films such as The Laughing Policeman and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where Cassidy appeared.
After finishing her high school education, Cassidy enrolled at Syracuse University. An Art major, Cassidy gained work as a model and fell in love with a resident doctor named Kennard C. Kobrin.
Relationships and dating history
In 1964, Joanna Cassidy married Kennard C. Kobrin, a doctor in residency whom she met during her time at Syracuse University. After their marriage, Kobrin and Cassidy relocated to San Francisco, where Kobrin began working as a psychiatrist. On the other hand, Cassidy was working as a fashion model and was pursuing a career in acting. After 10 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 1974.
career
While Cassidy was working as a fashion model at Syracuse University, she landed a small part in the American crime action-thriller film Bullitt in 1968. Eventually, she made her debut in the 1973 film The Outfit. Cassidy made brief appearances in TV shows such as Mission: Impossible, Starsky & Hutch, and Taxi.
Likewise, she first co-starred in the film Our Winning Season in 1978. Cassidy was also a series regular in the action-adventure 240-Robert as Morgan Wainwright. Her performance in the sitcom Buffalo Bill earned her a Golden Globe Award. In 1982, Cassidy played the role of a replicant snake performer in Blade Runner.
In 2000, Joanna Cassidy played the role of Margaret Chenowith on the HBO drama series Six Feet Under. Her fantastic performance was widely appreciated by fans and critics alike, and Cassidy even received an Emmy Award nomination. From 2008 to 2009, Cassidy had guest appearances in Ghost Whisperer, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: UK, and Hawthorne. The legendary actress was honored with an award at the Oldenburg International Film Fiesta.
In 2019, Cassidy was cast in the Amazon Prime miniseries Too Old to Die Young. Additionally, she appeared in a recurring role on NCIS: New Orleans. Apart from this, Cassidy is known for her performances in many other movies such as Under Fire, The Fourth Protocol, The Package, Where the Heart Is, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and Ghosts of Mars.
Film:
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1973 | The Outfit | Rita Mailer |
1973 | The Laughing Policeman | Monica |
1974 | Bank Shot | Eleonora |
1975 | The Cursed Medallion | Joanna Morgan |
1976 | Stay Hungry | Zoe Miller |
1977 | American Raspberry | Lisa Allen |
1977 | The Late Show | Laura Birdwell |
1977 | Stunts | Patti Johnson |
1978 | Our Winning Season | Sheila |
1979 | The Glove | Sheila Michaels |
1980 | Night Games | Julie Miller |
1982 | Blade Runner | Zhora Salome |
1983 | Under Fire | Claire |
1984 | Invitation to Hell | Patricia “Pat” Winslow |
1986 | Club Paradise | Terry Hamlin |
1987 | The Fourth Protocol | Irina Vassilievna |
1988 | Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Dolores |
1988 | 1969 | Ev Karr |
1989 | The Package | Eileen Gallagher |
1990 | Where the Heart Is | Jean McBain |
1991 | Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead | Rose Lindsey |
1991 | Lonely Hearts | Erin Randall |
1991 | All-American Murder | Erica Darby |
1992 | Landslide | Lucy Matterson |
1995 | Vampire in Brooklyn | Captain Dewey |
1996 | Chain Reaction | Maggie McDermott |
1997 | Loved | Elenore Amerson |
1997 | Executive Power | Elaine Fields – First Lady |
1998 | Dangerous Beauty | Laura Venier |
2000 | Moonglow | Ginny |
2000 | The Right Temptation | Maryanne |
2001 | Ghosts of Mars | Whitlock |
2001 | Anthrax | Jackie Potter |
2004 | Intermission | Love |
2005 | Witches of the Caribbean | Professor Avebury |
2006 | The Virgin of Juarez | Eve |
2006 | Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector | Lily Micelli |
2006 | The Grudge 2 | Mrs. Davis |
2007 | Kiss the Bride | Evelyn Golski |
2008 | The American Standards | Ann Jennings |
2008 | The Human Contract | Rose |
2009 | Stolen | Lea Adkins |
2009 | For Sale by Owner | Linda Flannery |
2010 | Flying Lessons | Totty Kuspert |
2010 | Anderson’s Cross | Mrs. McCarthy |
2011 | Carjacked | Betty |
2012 | What Might Have Been: Snake Dance | Zhora Salome |
2013 | Zugzwang | Nancy Williams |
2013 | Heaven’s Door | Ruth Christensen |
2014 | Night Vet | Kelly |
2015 | Too Late | Eleanor Mahler |
2015 | Visions | Helena |
2020 | My True Fairytale | Sylvia Goodwin |
Television
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1972 | Mission: Impossible | Model |
1973 | Mission: Impossible | Stewardess |
1976 | McCoy | Unnamed role |
1978 | The Roller Girls | Selma “Books” Cassidy |
1978 | Taxi | Beverly |
1978 | Starsky & Hutch | Harry / Monique |
1979 | The Love Boat | Joan Horner |
1979 | Kaz | Unnamed role |
1979-1980 | 240-Robert | Deputy Morgan Wainwright |
1980 | Hagen | Eve |
1980 | Insight | Lucy |
1980 | Dallas | Sally Bullock |
1980 | Trapper John, M.D. | Dr. Carson Whitaker |
1980 | Reunion | Peggy Sager |
1981 | Trapper John, M.D. | Maggie Holtz |
1981 | Charlie’s Angels | Stacy |
1981 | Enos | Unnamed role |
1981 | Hart to Hart | Belle |
1981 | Flo | Billy June |
1982 | Strike Force | Eve Murphy |
1982 | The Love Boat | Dr. Lisa Lessing |
1982 | Lou Grant | Barbara Costigan |
1982 | Falcon Crest | Katherine Demery |
1983 | The Family Tree | Elizabeth Nichols |
1983 | Fantasy Island | Christine Donovan |
1983-1984 | Buffalo Bill | Jo Jo White |
1985 | Code Name: Foxfire | Elizabeth “Foxfire” Towne |
1985 | Hollywood Wives | Marilee Gray |
1986 | Pleasures | Lillian Benton |
1986 | The Children of Times Square | Sue Roberts |
1988 | Nightmare at Bittercreek | Allison Shapiro |
1990 | A Girl of the Limberlost | Gene Stratton-Porter |
1990 | Wheels of Terror | Laura |
1992 | Northern Exposure | Solvang Planey |
1992 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Lavinia |
1992 | Live! From Death Row | Alana Powers |
1992 | Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story | Geneva Overholser |
1993 | Barbarians at the Gate | Linda Robinson |
1993 | The Tommyknockers | Sheriff Ruth Merrill |
1993 | Dudley | Laraine Bristol |
1993 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Linda Jurgenson |
1993-1994 | L.A. Law | Judge Carolyn Walker |
1994 | Burke’s Law | Liz Charles |
1994 | Murder, She Wrote | Willie Greenwood |
1994 | Hotel Malibu | Eleanor “Ellie” Mayfield |
1995 | Eye of the Stalker | Judge Martha Knowlton |
1997 | Melrose Place | Kate Reilly |
1997 | The Second Civil War | Helena Newman |
1997-1998 | Superman: The Animated Series | Maggie Sawyer (voice) |
1998 | Rude Awakening | Colleen Woods |
1998 | The Hunger | Grace Wallace |
1998 | Circle of Deceit | Elaine Greer |
1999 | Twice in a Lifetime | Christine Esposito |
1999-2000 | Diagnosis: Murder | Madison Wesley |
2000 | Rude Awakening | Colleen Woods |
2001 | Philly | Marian Marshall |
2001-2002 | The District | Teddy Reed |
2001-2005 | Six Feet Under | Margaret Chenowith |
2003 | Less Than Perfect | Norma |
2003 | Hidden Hills | Carol |
2003 | Everwood | Evelyn Rowser |
2004 | Star Trek: Enterprise | T’Les |
2005 | The Reading Room | Diana Weston |
2006 | Boston Legal | Beverly Bridge |
2007 | Heroes | Victoria Pratt |
2008 | In Plain Sight | Deandra Bevins |
2008 | Ghost Whisperer | Faith Clancy |
2008 | Criminal Minds | Mrs. Holden |
2009 | Desperate Housewives | Melina Cominis |
2009 | Hawthorne | Amanda Hawthorne |
2010 | Notes from the Underbelly | Kay |
2010-2012 | Call Me Fitz | Elaine Fitzpatrick |
2011-2013 | Body of Proof | Joan Hunt |
2012 | Franklin & Bash | Captain Gina Vaughn |
2013 | Bones | Marianne Booth |
2013 | Living the Dream | Claire |
2015-2017 | Odd Mom Out | Candace Von Weber |
2015 | Married | Sharon |
2016 | The Odd Couple | Judy |
2016 | Lady Dynamite | Barbara |
2016 | Motive | Natalie Rodman |
2017 | Confess | Beverly |
2018 | Life in Pieces | Charlotte Collins |
2019 | The Cool Kids | Joanie |
2019 | Too Old to Die Young | Eloise |
2019-2020 | NCIS: New Orleans | Mena Pride |
2021 | Younger | Judith Clarke |
Awards:
Title (Years) | Category | Status |
---|---|---|
Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2015) | Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role Call Me Fitz (2010) Episode: “Call Me Fitz: Alice Doesn’t Live Here, Anymore (2013)” | Winner |
Oldenburg Film Festival (2015) | Tribute (German Independence Honorary Award) | Winner |
Oldenburg Film Festival (2015) | Walk of Fame (Star of Excellence) | Winner |
Canadian Screen Awards, CA (2013) | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series Call Me Fitz (2010) For the episode “Heir of the Dog”. | Winner |
The Streamy Awards (2010) | Best Female Actor in a Comedy Web Series Sex Ed (2009) | Nominated |
Gemini Awards (2011) | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series Call Me Fitz (2010) | Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006) | Actor Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Six Feet Under (2001) | Nominated |
Primetime Emmy Awards (2006) | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Six Feet Under (2001) For playing “Margaret Chenowith”. | Nominated |
Daytime Emmy Awards (1994) | Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984) For the episode “Other Mothers”. | Nominated |
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (1990) | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)NominatedPrimetime Emmy Awards (1984)Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Buffalo Bill (1983) For playing “Jo Jo White”. | Nominated |
Golden Globes, USA (1984) | Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical Buffalo Bill (1983) | Winner |
National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA (1984) | Best Actress Under Fire (1983) | Nominated |
Sant Jordi Awards (1984) | Best Foreign Actress Under Fire (1983) | Winner |