Joan Cusack may be one of Hollywood’s beloved actresses, but the 63-year-old star keeps her life out of the public eye.
The Oscar nominated actress married her husband, Richard Burke, in 1996. After they tied the knot Joan and Richard welcomed two sons, Dylan and Miles. And, the family doesn’t live in the shadow of the Hollywood sign. Instead, Joan lives in Chicago, where she was raised.
As the Working Girl actress made her red carpet appearance for the first time in 11 years – for the London premiere of Toy Story 5 – let’s dive into her reclusive life with her husband and two kids. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Joan Cusack.
Joan Cusack and husband Richard Burke attend 14th Annual American Comedy Awards on February 6, 2000 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
Joan and Richard’s chance meeting
Joan was already a household name and an Oscar nominated actress when she met her future husband. While living in Chicago, Joan met Richard on a blind date in 1993. Their wedding was private, with details still being sparse 30 years later.
Joan Cusack and Richard Burke during “Friends With Money” Los Angeles Premiere – Arrivals at Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA, United States.
Richard’s life in the private sector
Like his wife, Richard is very private. It’s reported that he earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and worked for the law firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom. He led HomeGain.com and Apartments.com, and served as the president and CEO of Envoy Global from 2015 until 2025, when he retired.
Actress Joan Cusack, center right, Richard Burke, left, and sons Miles Burke, left, and Dylan Burke, right, attend the 2013 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 15, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Joan’s two sons, Dylan and Miles
Joan and Richard welcomed Dylan in 1997 and Miles three years later in 2000. There is very little known about Joan’s sons. Dylan is credited with voice work on an episode of the children’s cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, in 2011.
Joan Cusack attends the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings deafeated the Blackhawks 6-4.
How Joan parents her sons
Joan loves being a mom to Dylan and Miles. “I want my kids to experience passion. I want them to see that I have things I feel passionate about because it is such a great feeling to really love something,” she told The Guardian in 2011.
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Joan Cusack at the “Untitled Mother-Daughter Comedy” Set Visit on July 1, 2016 in Oahu, Hawaii.
The family’s life in Chicago
While Joan was born in New York City, she was raised in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago. In 2013, her childhood home, a 103-year-old, five-bedroom house sold for almost $1 million. These days, Joan lives with her family in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago.
“As my kids would say, ‘Chicago is awesome!’ It has rich culture and history, as well as some of the best museums, architecture and restaurants in the world,” she explained about the benefits of raising her kids out of the spotlight. “Plus, it prevents our family life from revolving around TV and the movies. In L.A. it’s easy to get caught up in what you look like or how much money you have, and those aren’t values I want my kids to adopt.”
jessie toy story joan cusack
Joan and Toy Story
In 1999, Joan joined the cast of Toy Story as the voice of Jessie, the cowgirl with a big attitude. Since then, she’s reprised the role three more times. For the recent premiere of Toy Story 5, Joan made her red carpet comeback, alongside husband Richard.
About the newest installment of the iconic series, Joan told Britain’s Virgin Radio UK: “This is Jessie’s story. It’s glorious.”