Joanna Cassidy

Joanna Cassidy
Joanna Cassidy in 2007
Born	Joanna Virginia Caskey (1945-08-02) August 2, 1945 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma mater	Syracuse University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1968–present
Spouse	Kennard C. Kobrin ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1974)​
Children	2

Joanna Cassidy (born Joanna Virginia Caskey; August 2, 1945) is an American actress and former model. She began working as a model in the 1960s and made her professional acting debut in 1973, appearing in the thriller films The Laughing Policeman and The Outfit. She later starred in films Bank Shot (1974), The Late Show (1977) and went to star in the short-lived television series The Roller Girls (1978) and 240-Robert (1979). In 1982, she played replicant Zhora Salome in science fiction film Blade Runner.

Cassidy starred in the political thriller film Under Fire (1983), winning a Sant Jordi Award for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film, as well as receiving a nomination for the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress. From 1983 to 1984, she starred opposite Dabney Coleman in the NBC comedy series Buffalo Bill, for which she received a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She later starred in films The Fourth Protocol (1987), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) for which she received a Saturn Award nomination, The Package (1989), Where the Heart Is (1990), Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), and Ghosts of Mars (2001).

Cassidy also starred in a number of made-for-television movies and miniseries, include Hollywood Wives (1983), Invitation to Hell (1984), Barbarians at the Gate (1993) and The Tommyknockers (1993). From 2001 to 2005, she played Margaret Chenowith on the HBO drama series Six Feet Under for which she received both Primetime Emmy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her supporting turn. From 2011 to 2013, she played Joan Hunt on the ABC series Body of Proof, and from 2010 to 2013 starred in the HBO Canada comedy series Call Me Fitz for which she won two Canadian Screen Awards.

Early life and education

Cassidy was born Joanna Virginia Caskey in Camden, New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the daughter of Virginia and Joe Caskey. She was raised in Haddonfield, and attended Haddonfield Memorial High School, and has described herself as being "a rowdy kid" there. She is known for her infectious, howling laugh which can be heard in the film The Laughing Policeman and on her appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Cassidy majored in art at Syracuse University. During her time there, she married Kennard C. Kobrin in 1964, a doctor in residency, and found work as a fashion model. They moved to San Francisco, where her husband set up a psychiatric practice while Cassidy continued modeling. They had a son and a daughter together. In 1968, she landed a bit part in the thriller film Bullitt.

Career

Joanna Cassidy in 1974

Cassidy's first major film appearance was in the 1973 thriller The Outfit. She appeared in a 1973 Smokey Bear public service announcement (PSA), and on such television series as Mission: Impossible, Starsky & Hutch and Taxi. She had a secondary role in the drama film Stay Hungry (1976), a film about bodybuilding that featured a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. Cassidy was considered for the role of Wonder Woman for a television series, but lost it to Lynda Carter. She co-starred in the film Our Winning Season (1978). Her first regular role was as sheriff's pilot Morgan Wainwright in the action-adventure series 240-Robert (1979), although the series only lasted for two abbreviated seasons. Afterwards, Cassidy continued to appear in guest roles in series such as Dallas and Falcon Crest, as well as a regular role on the short-lived sitcom Buffalo Bill (1983) (for which she earned a Golden Globe Award). She starred as a lead character, CIA operative Liz "Foxfire" Towne, in the short-lived NBC action television series Code Name: Foxfire (1985).

In 1982, Cassidy had her breakthrough film role as the replicant snake performer Zhora Salome in Ridley Scott's science fiction film Blade Runner. The following year, she co-starred in Under Fire with Gene Hackman and Nick Nolte. She continued to appear in both films and television; she co-starred in the television miniseries Hollywood Wives (1985), and appeared in The Fourth Protocol (1987), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), 1969 (1988), The Package (1989), Where the Heart Is (1990) and Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991). In 1993, she co-starred with Dudley Moore on the sitcom Dudley, but the series only lasted for six episodes. She played the ex-wife of James Garner's lead character in the television movie, The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. (1994).

Her other screen credits from this era include Barbarians at the Gate (1993), the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's The Tommyknockers (1993), and Wes Craven's Vampire in Brooklyn (1995). Cassidy also provided the voice of Inspector Maggie Sawyer on The WB series Superman: The Animated Series, and had recurring guest roles on television series such as L.A. Law, Melrose Place, Diagnosis: Murder, and The District.

Since 2000, Cassidy has appeared in the film Ghosts of Mars (2001) directed by John Carpenter, and had a recurring role as Margaret Chenowith on the HBO drama series Six Feet Under, for which she received Emmy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. In 2004, she guest-starred in three episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise as T'Les (the Vulcan mother of Enterprise crewmember T'Pol), and she had a recurring role as Beverly Bridge on the series Boston Legal in 2006. She voiced the villainess Hecubah in the computer game Nox (2000) and once again voiced Maggie Sawyer in the 2002 video game Superman: Shadow of Apokolips.

In the spring of 2007, Cassidy donned Zhora's costume once more, 25 years after the release of Blade Runner, to recreate a climactic scene from the film for the fall 2007 Final Cut release of the film. In the original 1982 release, a stunt performer played out Zhora's death scene, with the physical differences between the performer and Cassidy very evident (including the stuntwoman wearing a different wig). For the Final Cut, Cassidy's head was digitally transposed onto footage of the stunt performer, making the death scene fit continuity. According to the DVD featurette, All Our Variant Futures, it was Cassidy herself who suggested this be done; she is captured on video making the suggestion during filming of a retrospective interview related to Blade Runner.

Joanna Cassidy in 1976

In the second season of the NBC series Heroes, she is seen in a photo of the 12 senior members of the show's mysterious company. Beyond appearances in photographs, the actress first appeared as Victoria Pratt in the 10th episode of season two, "Truth & Consequences", during which her character was killed.

In 2008–2009, Cassidy appeared in episodes of Ghost Whisperer, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: UK, and was also seen in the recurring guest role of Amanda Hawthorne, the mother-in-law of Jada Pinkett Smith's eponymous character on the medical drama Hawthorne.

In 2011, Cassidy began to appear in a recurring role on the ABC series Body of Proof as Judge Joan Hunt, the mother of Megan Hunt, Dana Delany's character on the series. The series was canceled by ABC after three seasons in May 2013. In 2015, Cassidy was cast as a main character in the Bravo scripted series Odd Mom Out. She plays the role of Candace Von Weber, a snobbish Upper East Side socialite and mother-in-law to the show's protagonist Jill Weber (Jill Kargman). The series was canceled in 2017. In 2019, she co-starred in the Amazon Prime miniseries Too Old to Die Young and later had a recurring role on NCIS: New Orleans.

In 2015, Cassidy received an honorary award at the Oldenburg International Film Festival.

Cassidy in 2017

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1968	Bullitt	Party Guest	uncredited
1970	Fools	Minor role	uncredited
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	Sant Jordi Award for Best Foreign Actress Nominated—National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress
1984	Invitation to Hell	Patricia "Pat" Winslow
1986	Club Paradise	Terry Hamlin
1987	The Fourth Protocol	Irina Vassilievna
1988	Who Framed Roger Rabbit	Dolores	Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
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	Video
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	Short film
2005	Witches of the Caribbean	Professor Avebury	Video
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	Short film
2013	Zugzwang	Nancy Williams
2013	Heaven's Door	Ruth Christensen
2014	Night Vet	Kelly	Short film
2015	Too Late	Eleanor Mahler
2015	Visions	Helena
2020	My True Fairytale	Sylvia Goodwin
2021	Simone (AKA Art of Love)	Rose the book store owner
2024	Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead	Joan
TBA	Uppercut	Rita Stooth
TBA	Yesteryear

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1972–1973	Mission: Impossible	Model, Stewardess	3 episodes
1976	McCoy	Unnamed role	Episode: "New Dollar Day"
1978	The Roller Girls	Selma "Books" Cassidy	4 episodes
1978	Taxi	Beverly	Episode: "High School Reunion"
1978	Starsky & Hutch	Harry / Monique	Episode: "The Avenger"
1979–1982	The Love Boat	Joan Horner, Lisa Lessing	2 episodes
1979	Kaz	Unnamed role	Episode: "A Piece of Cake"
1979–1980	240-Robert	Deputy Morgan Wainwright	13 episodes
1980	Hagen	Eve	Episode: "The Rat Pack"
1980	Insight	Lucy	Episode: "Resurrection"
1980	Dallas	Sally Bullock	2 episodes
1980–1981	Trapper John, M.D.	Dr. Carson Whitaker, Maggie Holtz	2 episodes
1980	Reunion	Peggy Sager	Television film
1981	Charlie's Angels	Stacy	Episode: "Hula Angels"
1981	Enos	Unnamed role	Episode: "The Head Hunter"
1981	Hart to Hart	Belle	Episode: "Slow Boat to Murder"
1981	Flo	Billy June	Episode: "Footsie"
1982	Strike Force	Eve Murphy	Episode: "Turnabout"
1982	Lou Grant	Barbara Costigan	Episode: "Charlie"
1982	Falcon Crest	Katherine Demery	5 episodes
1983	The Family Tree	Elizabeth Nichols	Episode: "1.2"
1983	Fantasy Island	Christine Donovan	Episode: "Nurses Night Out"
1983–1984	Buffalo Bill	Jo Jo White	26 episodes Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
1985	Code Name: Foxfire	Elizabeth "Foxfire" Towne	8 episodes
1985	Hollywood Wives	Marilee Gray	2 episodes
1986	Pleasures	Lillian Benton	Television film
1986	The Children of Times Square	Sue Roberts	Television film
1988	Nightmare at Bittercreek	Allison Shapiro	Television film
1990	A Girl of the Limberlost	Gene Stratton-Porter	Television film
1990	Bar Girls	Claudia Reese	Television film
1990	Wheels of Terror	Laura	Television film
1990	Les belles Américaines	Lorraine	Television film
1992	Northern Exposure	Solvang Planey	Episode: "The Three Amigos"
1992	The Ray Bradbury Theater	Lavinia	Episode: "The Lonely One"
1992	Live! From Death Row	Alana Powers	Television film
1992	Taking Back My Life: The Nancy Ziegenmeyer Story	Geneva Overholser	Television film
1993	Barbarians at the Gate	Linda Robinson	Television film
1993	The Tommyknockers	Sheriff Ruth Merrill	Miniseries
1993	Dudley	Laraine Bristol	5 episodes
1993	CBS Schoolbreak Special	Linda Jurgenson	Episode: "Other Mothers" Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special
1993–1994	L.A. Law	Judge Carolyn Walker	4 episodes
1994	Burke's Law	Liz Charles	Episode: "Who Killed the Beauty Queen?"
1994	Murder, She Wrote	Willie Greenwood	Episode: "Roadkill"
1994	Hotel Malibu	Eleanor "Ellie" Mayfield	6 episodes
1995	Eye of the Stalker	Judge Martha Knowlton	Television film
1997	Melrose Place	Kate Reilly	3 episodes
1997	The Second Civil War	Helena Newman	Television film
1997–1998	Superman: The Animated Series	Maggie Sawyer	Voice, 8 episodes
1998	Rude Awakening	Colleen Woods	Episode: "TV Mom"
1998	The Hunger	Grace Wallace	Episode: "The Other Woman"
1998	Circle of Deceit	Elaine Greer	Television film
1999	Tribe	Gina Brava	Miniseries
1999	Twice in a Lifetime	Christine Esposito	Episode: "Quality of Mercy"
1999–2000	Diagnosis: Murder	Madison Wesley	8 episodes
2000	Rude Awakening	Colleen Woods	Episode: "Star 80 Proof"
2001	Philly	Marian Marshall	Episode: "Pilot"
2001–2002	The District	Teddy Reed	5 episodes
2001–2005	Six Feet Under	Margaret Chenowith	21 episodes Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2003	Less than Perfect	Norma	Episode: "Claude's Got a Secret"
2003	Hidden Hills	Carol	Episode: "The Visit"
2003	Everwood	Evelyn Rowser	Episode: "The Price of Fame"
2004	Star Trek: Enterprise	T'Les	3 episodes
2005	The Reading Room	Diana Weston	Television film
2006	Boston Legal	Beverly Bridge	5 episodes
2007	Heroes	Victoria Pratt	Episode: "Truth & Consequences"
2008	In Plain Sight	Deandra Bevins	Episode: "Never the Bride"
2008	Ghost Whisperer	Faith Clancy	Episode: "Threshold"
2008	Criminal Minds	Mrs. Holden	Episode: "52 Pickup"
2009	Desperate Housewives	Melina Cominis	Episode: "Home Is the Place"
2009	Hawthorne	Amanda Hawthorne	4 episodes
2010	Notes from the Underbelly	Kay	Episode: "The Circle of Life"
2010–2012	Call Me Fitz	Elaine Fitzpatrick	18 episodes Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series (2015) Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series (2013) Nominated—Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series (2011)
2011–2013	Body of Proof	Joan Hunt	14 episodes
2012	Franklin & Bash	Captain Gina Vaughn	Episode: "Summer Girls"
2013	Bones	Marianne Booth	2 episodes
2013	Living the Dream	Claire	Television film
2015–2017	Odd Mom Out	Candace Von Weber	Recurring season 1, main cast seasons 2 & 3
2015	Married	Sharon	Episode: "The Cruise"
2016	The Odd Couple	Judy	Episode: "Make Room for Dani"
2016	Lady Dynamite	Barbara	Episode: "Jack and Diane"
2016	Motive	Natalie Rodman	2 episodes
2017	Confess	Beverly	4 episodes
2018	Life in Pieces	Charlotte Collins	Episode: "Parents Ancestry Coupon Chaperone"
2019	The Cool Kids	Joanie	Episode: "The Cool Kids Plus One"
2019	Tacoma FD	Trudy Towers	Episode: "Old Flame"
2019	Too Old to Die Young	Eloise	Miniseries
2019–2021	NCIS: New Orleans	Mena Pride	Recurring role
2021	Younger	Judith Clarke	Episode: "The Son Also Rises"
2021	Leverage: Redemption	Stella	Episode: "The Jackal Job"
2022	The L Word: Generation Q	Patty	3 episodes

External links

• [1]
• Joanna Cassidy at IMDb
• Joanna Cassidy at the TCM Movie Database
• Joanna Cassidy at the American Film Institute Catalog
• Joanna Cassidy at AllMovie