After Six Years Away from Acting, Joan Cusack Reveals the One Thing She Values More Than Fame.

For Joan Cusack, the premiere of Toy Story 5 was more than just another Hollywood event. It marked a rare public appearance for an actress who has spent much of the last decade away from the spotlight, focusing instead on family life, personal projects, and the quieter rhythms of everyday living. As she arrived on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, accompanied by her husband Richard Burke and their two sons, Dylan and Miles, the occasion felt less like a comeback and more like the celebration of a career that has always unfolded on her own terms.

The 63-year-old Emmy-winning actress appeared relaxed and cheerful as she posed with her family before the cameras. While many Hollywood premieres are dominated by industry networking and celebrity spectacle, Joan’s appearance stood out because of its deeply personal nature. Rather than arriving surrounded by publicists or fellow stars, she chose to share the moment with the people who have remained at the center of her life throughout decades in the entertainment industry.

The event also marked an important professional milestone. Toy Story 5 represents Joan’s return to acting after a six-year hiatus, bringing her back to one of the most beloved roles of her career: Jessie, the spirited cowgirl first introduced in Toy Story 2. For generations of viewers, Jessie has become one of the defining characters of the Pixar universe, admired for her energy, resilience, humor, and emotional depth.

Just weeks before the Los Angeles premiere, Joan had already surprised fans by attending the film’s London premiere, her first red-carpet appearance in more than a decade. The sight of the actress stepping back into the public eye sparked renewed interest in a performer whose influence on film and television has often been understated despite an extraordinary body of work.

Speaking with Variety on the red carpet, Joan reflected on her decision to step away from acting for several years. Her explanation offered insight into a philosophy that has guided much of her life and career.

“I feel so honored to be able to work in this industry for a long time, but it’s also great to live your life and raise your kids and be in Chicago and be a normal person,” the Oscar-nominated actress said. “It’s kind of priceless.”

The comment resonated because it captured something increasingly rare in modern celebrity culture. While many public figures remain in a constant cycle of projects, publicity appearances, and media exposure, Joan made a deliberate choice to prioritize experiences away from Hollywood. For her, success was not measured solely by professional accomplishments but also by the ability to enjoy ordinary moments with family and maintain a life outside the entertainment industry.

That decision is closely tied to her long-standing connection to Chicago, the city where she was born and where she has spent much of her life. Unlike many actors who permanently relocate to Los Angeles or New York, Joan has consistently maintained strong roots in her hometown. The city has provided both personal stability and a sense of identity throughout her career.

Her commitment to life beyond acting is perhaps best illustrated by her entrepreneurial venture. Since 2014, Joan has owned and operated Judy Maxwell Home, a gift shop in Chicago. The store reflects her interest in design, creativity, and community engagement, offering a glimpse into a side of her life rarely associated with Hollywood celebrities. Running a local business allowed her to connect with people in a different way and reinforced her desire to remain grounded despite decades of professional success.

During the same interview, Joan also looked back on her unexpected journey with Jessie. When she was first cast in Toy Story 2 in 1999, she never imagined that the character would become such a lasting part of her career.

“I just thought they cast me because they thought it was gonna be funny to have a cowgirl with the Chicago accent,” Joan said. “I’d have a couple of lines be in a couple of scenes, and that would be it.”

The remark reflects the self-deprecating humor that has long been one of Joan’s most recognizable qualities. Throughout her career, she has often approached fame with a level of humility that distinguishes her from many of her contemporaries. Even after becoming an Oscar nominee and one of the most respected character actresses in Hollywood, she has consistently downplayed her own achievements.

Yet those achievements are substantial. Joan Cusack’s career spans more than four decades and includes an impressive range of performances across comedy, drama, animation, and television. She earned Academy Award nominations for Working Girl and In & Out, performances that showcased her remarkable ability to balance humor and vulnerability. Her work frequently elevated supporting roles into some of the most memorable parts of the films in which she appeared.

Over the years, audiences have also embraced her performances in films such as School of Rock, Runaway Bride, Addams Family Values, Grosse Pointe Blank, and Raising Helen. Whether portraying eccentric friends, quirky relatives, or emotionally complex women, Joan developed a reputation for bringing authenticity and warmth to every role.

Television audiences know her equally well. One of the most celebrated chapters of her small-screen career came with Showtime’s Shameless, where she portrayed Sheila Jackson. The role earned her widespread acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards, further cementing her reputation as one of the industry’s most reliable and versatile performers.

Part of Joan’s enduring appeal lies in her ability to make unusual characters feel entirely believable. Rather than pursuing traditional leading-lady roles, she often gravitated toward characters with distinctive personalities and emotional complexity. That willingness to embrace unconventional roles allowed her to build a career defined by originality rather than celebrity.

Her family background also occupies a unique place in Hollywood history. Joan is the sister of actor John Cusack, and both siblings emerged as respected performers during the 1980s and 1990s. Although comparisons between them have been inevitable, Joan carved out her own identity through a style of acting that was entirely her own. Together, they became one of the industry's most recognizable sibling pairs.

Unlike many celebrities, Joan has largely avoided controversy throughout her career. Her public image has remained remarkably consistent, characterized by professionalism, privacy, and a focus on her work rather than personal headlines. In an industry often driven by scandal and constant media attention, that discretion has become one of her defining traits.

Her marriage to Richard Burke has reflected a similar commitment to privacy. The couple has been together for decades, raising their sons largely outside the glare of Hollywood publicity. Their appearance together at the Toy Story 5 premiere offered a rare glimpse into a family life that Joan has worked carefully to protect.

For Dylan and Miles, the premiere represented an opportunity to celebrate their mother’s return to a franchise that has touched millions of viewers worldwide. The Toy Story films have become cultural landmarks, and Jessie remains one of the series’ most beloved characters. Seeing Joan return to the role after several years away added another layer of emotional significance to the evening.

The continued success of the Toy Story franchise is itself remarkable. More than two decades after Jessie first appeared on screen, audiences remain deeply invested in the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends. Few animated franchises have maintained such consistent popularity across multiple generations, and Joan’s contribution has been an important part of that legacy.

As Toy Story 5 prepares to arrive in theaters, Joan’s return serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that thoughtful performances can have. Her portrayal of Jessie helped transform what might have been a supporting character into an essential figure within the Pixar universe. The emotional connection audiences feel toward the character speaks to the sincerity she brought to the role from the very beginning.

Ultimately, Joan Cusack’s appearance at the Toy Story 5 premiere was about more than a movie release. It reflected the balance she has achieved between professional accomplishment and personal fulfillment. After stepping away from acting to focus on family, community, and everyday life in Chicago, she returned not because she needed to remain in the spotlight but because she genuinely wanted to revisit a character that has become part of cinematic history.

In an entertainment industry that often rewards constant visibility, Joan’s journey stands as a reminder that success can take many forms. Her career has been defined not only by memorable performances but also by the choices she made away from the camera. As she walked the red carpet alongside her husband and sons, she embodied a version of Hollywood success rooted not in fame alone, but in longevity, authenticity, and the freedom to live life on her own terms.