News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Joan Allen Headshot

Joan Allen

Birth Place: Rochelle, IL, USA

Get Joan Allen Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Joan Allen received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Lanford Wilson's Burn This, and was Tony-nominated for The Heidi Chronicles. Her most recent Broadway appearance was in Impressionism. Off-Broadway: Delores, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and Steppenwolf's And a Nightingale Sang..., for which she received Clarence Derwent, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Awards. An original member of Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Allen performed in many of the company’s productions, including The Wheel, Earthly Possessions, Reckless, A Lesson from Aloes, Balm in Gilead, and Of Mice and Men. Film: Room, Oliver Stone's Nixon (Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations) The Crucible (Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations), The Contender (Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Independent Spirit Award nominations), The Ice Storm, Yes, The Bourne Ultimatum, A Good Marriage, The Bourne Supremacy, The Notebook, Compromising Positions, Peggy Sue Got Married, Manhunter, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Ethan Frome, and The Upside of Anger. Television: "The Family" (ABC), "The Killing" (Netflix), "Luck" (HBO), the title character and executive producer for "Georgia O'Keefe" (Lifetime), for which she earned nominations for the Emmy Award, SAG Award and Golden Globe Award as both Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie and Outstanding Made for Television Movie, and "The Mists of Avalon" (TNT), for which she was Emmy Award nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Premiere, 2018
Ellen Fine

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Katharine Keenan

[Off-Broadway]
2006
Father [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1989
Heidi Holland

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Heidi Holland

[Broadway]
1987
Anna Mann

[Off-Broadway]
1987
Anna

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Bette Brennan

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Helen Scott


Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Joan Allen, The Waverly Gallery

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Joan Allen , The Heidi Chronicles


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Joan Allen , Burn This


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Joan Allen, And a Nightingale Sang


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best Debut Performance

Joan Allen, And a Nightingale Sang...

Videos

News


How Glenn Davis Shepherded PURPOSE on Its Path to Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 16, 2025

Glenn Davis had a huge part to play in the Purpose's journey, not only as a cast member in Chicago and now on Broadway, but as Steppenwolf's co-Artistic Director and the person behind pushing along its development in recent years.
Broadway Stage and Screen- A Spring 2025 Watch Guide
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 2, 2025

hile many of them are original concepts or based on plays, 14 are already films or series that you can watch from home now. If you are seeing any of the below productions in 2025, check out how you can study up beforehand or unpack afterwards!
Broadway's OTHELLO: Meet the All-Star Cast as Previews Begin at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2025

Discover the star-studded cast of Broadway's OTHELLO as previews launch tonight, February 24, 2025, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Premiere set for March 23.
Video: Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, & More Star in ZERO DAY Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 22, 2025

Netflix has released the official trailer for the highly anticipated limited series Zero Day, which premieres globally on Netflix February 20, 2025. Watch the new trailer now.
Video: Robert De Niro Stars in ZERO DAY Teaser Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 23, 2024

Netflix has released the first official teaser for the highly anticipated limited series Zero Day, which will also air live during the Netflix Christmas Day NFL games on December 25, 2024. Watch it now!
Photos: Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, & More in First-Look Photos for ZERO DAY
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 20, 2024

Netflix has released first-look photos for Zero Day, the forthcoming limited series starring Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, Dan Stevens and more. Take a look at the new images here.
OTHELLO Starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal Finds Full Cast
by Stephi Wild - Nov 12, 2024

The complete cast has been announced for Shakespeare's Othello, starring Tony Award winner and two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Tony Award nominee and Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal.
Photos: MOTHER PLAY Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 29, 2024

Mother Play officially opened on Broadway on April 25 at the Hayes Theater. Check out photos of the cast and VIPs at the after party here!
Broadway Stage and Screen- A Spring 2024 Watch Guide
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 30, 2024

A new Broadway season has arrived at last, full of exciting new shows and revivals of beloved classics. While many of them are original concepts or based on plays, 10 are already films that you can watch from home. If you are seeing any of the below productions in 2024, check out how you can study up beforehand or unpack afterwards!
Larry Owens to Direct Sherie Rene Scott & More in THE DYING GAUL Staged Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2024

Co-Founders Patrick Reilly and Tucker Aust have launched The Queer Ensemble. The collective's inaugural event will be a staged reading of Craig Lucas' The Dying Gaul. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Elliot Norton Winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov Star In Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS With Hub Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2024

Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko and Victor Shopov take center stage in Hub Theatre Company's production of BURN THIS by Lanford Wilson. The show runs at the Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre from April 6-21, 2024.
​​​​​​​Hub Theatre Company of Boston Presents BURN THIS By Lanford Wilson
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 7, 2024

Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko and Victor Shopov lead the cast in Hub Theatre's production of BURN THIS by Lanford Wilson. The play, a funny exploration of life and loss, runs at the Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre, April 6-21, 2024.
Elliot Norton Winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov Star In Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS With Hub Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2024

Elliot Norton winners Kiki Samko & Victor Shopov star in Lanford Wilson's Burn This with Hub Theatre. The show will run Saturday, April 6, through Sunday, April 21, 2024, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and on Sundays at 2:00 pm at The Boston Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre.
Performances Begin Tonight for REDWOOD World Premiere Starring Idina Menzel
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2024

Redwood, the new musical starring Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel, begins its World Premiere engagement at La Jolla Playhouse. Learn more about this new show, and learn how to purchase tickets.
De'Adre Aziza, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Zachary Noah Piser & More Join Idina Menzel-Led REDWOOD at La Jolla Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 5, 2024

The complete cast and creative team has been revealed for Redwood starring Idina Menzel. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Angela Bassett Joins Robert De Niro & More in ZERO DAY on Netflix
by Michael Major - Dec 19, 2023

Angela Bassett, Dan Stevens, Matthew Modine, Bill Camp and McKinley Belcher III have been cast in the conspiracy thriller ZERO DAY, coming soon to Netflix. Additional actors joining the limited series are Gaby Hoffman, Clark Gregg and Mark Ivanir.
Emmy-Winning Actor Andre Braugher Dies At Age 61
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 13, 2023

Emmy Award-winning actor Andre Braugher has passed away at the age of 61. 
Jeff Cohen's SQUEAKY Will Receive Developmental Readings This Month
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2023

As part of its new Building the Box Developmental Reading Series, Out of the Box Theatrics will present readings of SQUEAKY, a poignant autobiographical comedy by Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen.
Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival Readings
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 29, 2023

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden and more will be featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 reading series.
Full Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2023

The full cast and creative team have been announced for world premiere of Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, based on Annie Proulx's short story, and directed by Jonathan Butterell.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joan Allen been in?

Joan Allen has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Joan Allen been in?

Joan Allen has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Joan Allen been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Waverly Gallery, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Heidi Chronicles, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Burn This, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for And a Nightingale Sang and Best Debut Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for And a Nightingale Sang....

What awards has Joan Allen won?

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Burn This; Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for And a Nightingale Sang; Best Debut Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for And a Nightingale Sang.

Get Joan Allen Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos