Profile Text
Cusack in 2009, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Joan Mary Cusack
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: October 11, 1962
Ethnicity: Irish
Joan Cusack is an American actress.
She is the daughter of Ann Paula “Nancy” (Carolan), a teacher and political activist, and Richard John “Dick” Cusack, an actor and filmmaker. Among her siblings are actors Ann Cusack and John Cusack . She was raised in a Catholic family, of Irish descent. She grew up in Evanston, Illinois. Joan has starred in numerous films, including a role as the school principal in the 2003 film School of Rock . Joan is married to attorney Richard Burke, with whom she has two children.
Some genealogies trace Joan’s patrilineal line to James Cusack, who was born, c. 1585, around Gerardstown, Meath.
Joan’s paternal grandfather was Dennis Joseph Cusack (the son of Dennis Francis Cusack and Catherine Maria Brennan). Joan’s grandfather Dennis was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Irish parents. Joan’s great-grandfather Dennis was born in Killian, County Galway, Francis Cusack and Margaret Tracy. Joan’s great-grandmother Catherine was the daughter of Lawrence Brennan, who was from Dublin; and of Bridget Fahey.
John’s paternal grandmother was Margaret McFeeley (the daughter of Thomas McFeeley and Ann McGowan/McGowen). Margaret was born in New York, to Irish parents. Thomas was the son of Dennis Francis McFeely and Mary Duffy. Ann was the daughter of Patrick McGowen and Bridget Hart.
Joan’s maternal grandfather was William Bartholomew Carolan (the son of Patrick Carolan and Ellen Murphy). William was born in Massachusetts, to Irish parents. Patrick was born in Kells, County Meath, the son of James Carolan and Catherine Ann Geoghegan. Joan’s great-grandmother Ellen was the daughter of Dennis/Denis B. Murphy and Catherine Golden, who were from County Kerry.
Joan’s maternal grandmother was Mary Agatha McGillen (the daughter of Owen McGillen and Annie Esther Fitzpatrick). Mary was born in Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts. Owen was Irish, the son of Jamnes McGillen and Margaret O’Rourke. Joan’s great-grandmother Annie was born in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, to Irish parents, John Fitzpatrick and Mary Margaret Murray, who had roots in Cork.
Sources: Genealogy of Joan Cusack – https://www.geni.com
Joan’s paternal grandfather, Dennis Joseph Cusack, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Joan’s paternal grandmother, Margaret McFeeley, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Joan’s maternal grandfather, William Bartholomew Carolan, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Joan’s maternal grandmother, Mary Agatha McGillen, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Joan’s matrilineal great-grandmother, Annie Esther Fitzpatrick, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org