Quicknation, comprehensive information and links about Joan Allen

Joan Allen (born August 20, 1956 in Rochelle, Illinois, USAJoan Allen is an acclaimed American actress.

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Early life

Allen was born to gas-station owner Jeff Allen and his wife Dorothy, a homemaker. Joan Allen began her acting career as a stage actress and on television before making her film debut in the movie,

Career

In 1989 Allen returned to the stage and won a Tony Award in her Broadway debut performance in .

She received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Pat Nixon in as a politician who becomes the object of scandal. Allen is respected by her peers both for her professionalism and the intense preparation she brings to each of her roles. For example, to play a blind woman in the cult classic (1986), she went to a school for the blind and wore a blindfold for several days. Brian Cox, her co-star in , called Allen the finest actress he had ever worked with and one of the best in the business.

In 2001 Allen starred in the mini series

Private life

She married actor Peter Friedman in 1990. The couple separated in 2002, but live close to each other to share time with their daughter, Sadie (b. 1994).[1][2]