Joan Cusack in 2007’s ''The Martian Child.'' (Courtesy photo)

By Bob Polunsky
Guest Columnist

Joan Cusack is one of Hollywood’s most proficient scene-stealers. Thus far her comedy talents have earned her two Oscar nominations (“Working Girl” in 1989; “In and Out” in 1998) and her career isn’t nearly over.

She’s now stealing the show from 10-year-old scene-stealer Abigail Breslin (nominated for “Little Miss Sunshine” in 2006) in the new film, “Kit Kittredge” even though Joan only has a couple of scenes and Abigail has the lead.

“Kit Kittredge” is a G-rated movie filmed with family audiences in mind. Breslin is the heroine who defends the honor and reputation of hobos trying to survive the Great Depression while Joan appears to befriend everyone, both good and bad.

She operates a traveling library and mingles with various members of the community to defend the dubious honor of thieves. Her performance is a strong reminder of her reputation as a comedic actress on “Saturday Night Live” during its heyday in the 1980s.

She also won fans for supporting her famous actor-brother, John Cusack, in eight of his starring movies thus far.

On her own, she starred in the sitcom, “What About Joan?” in 2001 and 2002 while establishing herself as one of the best comediennes in major Hollywood films.

“It’s not easy to get the kind of roles I’ve had,” she said during a telephone interview.
“Not all actresses want them, but I enjoy them. They remind me of my home life with my parents. My dad was always acting silly, and that meant he was both fun and funny to be with. He was my role model because he was so good at it, and he was always very meaningful. That’s one of the qualifications for playing ditzy characters. They have to have some purpose.

“My other role models are Gilda Radner and Madeleine Kahn, so I always aim high. If I could, I’d remake such movies like Elaine May’s ‘A New Leaf’, but right now I’ll settle for working with Abigail Breslin again in ‘My Sister’s Keeper’. I guess you might call me a workaholic. It’s a title I’m proud of.”

Joan majored in English in college but says she was much better at philosophy. She got her training as an actress at the Piven Theater Workshop in Evanston, Illinois, thereby preparing herself for the unique characters she played in  “Broadcast News,” “Grosse Point Blank,” “Cradle Will Rock,” “Married to the Mob,” “High Fidelity,” “Class,” “Men Don’t Leave,” “My Blue Heaven,” “Corinna, Corinna,” “My Bodyguard,” “Sixteen Candles,” “Martian Child,” “Adams Family Values,”  “Working Girl” with Harrison Ford,” “In and Out” with Kevin Kline and “Kit Kittredge” with Abigail Breslin.  And that’s just a partial list.

“More comedy roles are available for men than women, so I ‘m lucky to still get them. It doesn’t bother me if the roles are short. I’m also busy raising my two sons, and they want a lot of attention.”

Her son Dylan was born in 1997 and Miles in 2000.

Joan apparently thinks being a mother and the wife of a successful attorney are as important as acting. She gives all of them equal billing, and all of them are going strong.