Joanna Gleason.com Roles

For more information about how she did in her roles, check out our reviews and awards pages.

Warning: Spoiler Alert
This page discusses numerous plot points from some of Joanna's work.


Theater/Stage:
  1. Love, Loss, and What I Wore. (at Westside Theater) 32 performance February 3 through February 28, 2010. Joanna appeared along side Janeane Garofalo, Carol Kane, Caroline Rhea, and June Diane Raphael.
  2. Arlene in Happiness. (at Lincoln Center) Previews ran Feb 27 through March 29, 2009. Opening night was March 30, 2009 and it ran through June 6, 2009.
  3. Alison in Something You Did. (at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters) March 18 through April 26, 2008.
  4. Broadway Cabaret Festival. Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) 3:00PM October 22, 2006. Joanna performed with Into the Woods co-star (The Baker) Chip Zien. Playbill article.
  5. Douglas Carter Beane's Live Soap, The Cartells Comix Theater (353 West 14th Street at Ninth Ave) The Cartells, according to press notes, is about "a wealthy oil family having too much fun in an Aaron Spelling king of way." Episode Titles: "The Eye of the Needle," "Far Above Rubies," "Perish the Sword," and "Cast a Stone." October 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 2006. Joanna plays Titsiana Cartell (the estranged wife).
  6. Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels [Original, Musical, Comedy] - Impreial Theater. January 31, 2005 - April 30, 2006. She was replaced by Lucie Arnaz.
  7. The Normal Heart - Joseph Papp Public Theater. Unknown number of performances from April 21, 2004 to June 29, 2004. Joanna played Dr. Emma Brookner, but left to begin work on Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She was replaced by Lisa Kron.
  8. A Letter From Ethel Kennedy - Manhattan Class Company Theater. Ran from May 16, 2002 to June 1, 2002. Joanna was the director.
  9. Call Waiting - Tiffany Theatre (West Hollwood). April-May 2001. starring Caroline Aaron and directed by Joanna Gleason. This one-woman comedy show won the L.A. Times "Critic's Choice" award, and has been now been made into a film which had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in November, 2003.
  10. Thorn and Bloom - Court Theatre. This two-pack of single act plays was lead off by Joanna's husband Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ in "Thorn" and then followed by Joanna as "No. 7" in "Bloom." July 9 to August 16, 1998.
  11. Into the Woods [Revival, Special, Benefit, Comedy, Concert] Nov 9, 1997 - Nov 9, 1997, 2 performances (one at 3:30 and another at 7:30 followed by an ivitation only party) on Sunday, Nov 9, 1997 at the Broadway Theater, former home to Miss Saigon. Both performances were to benefit two AIDS related charities.
  12. Nora CharlesNick & Nora [Original, Musical] Dec 8, 1991 - Dec 15, 1991
    One of Broadway's biggest flops ever, this production brought Joanna and her current husband, Chris Sarandon, together (sort of - they actually met before production began, but that's the story everyone likes to tell, so why not?).
  13. One of the Pigeon Sisters in The Odd Couple [Single Performance / Benefit Special] on June 23, 1991 at the Belasco Theatre. Other cast members included Abe Vigoda, Martin Sheen, Jack Klugman, and Tony Randall.
  14. The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods [Original, Musical, Comedy, Drama] Nov 5, 1987 - Sep 3, 1989. Perhaps Joanna's most famous role.
  15. Artie in Eleemosynary - Manhattan Theater Club. 32 performances from April 25, 1989 to May 28, 1989.
  16. Love Letters - Originally at the Long Warf Theatre in New Haven, CT in 1988 then thePromenade Theatre in NYC. 64 performances from March 27, 1989 to (unknown close date, if you have it, please let me know). Joanna's character was the replacement for Melissa Gardner (originally played by Kathleen Turner and subsequently by Stockard Channing) some other cast members from differing times include Christopher Reeve and Sam Waterston.
  17. Trudy Heyman in Social Security [Original, Play, Comedy] Apr 17, 1986 - Mar 22, 1987.
  18. Virgina Noyes in It's Only a Play - Manhattan Theater Club - starring with Joanna are David Garrison, Christine Baranski, and Paul Benedict. 17 performances from January 12, 1986 to January 26, 1986.
  19. Pam in Joe Egg [Revival, Play, Comedy] - Haft Theater - 34 performances from January 6, 1985 to February 3, 1985 and from Mar 27, 1985 to Jun 23, 1985. Joanna played opposite Stockard Channing as Sheila.
  20. The Real Thing [Original, Play, Drama] [Replacement Performer]            Jan 5, 1984 - May 12, 1985. Research indicates that Joanna was the understudy for both the Glenn Close and Christine Baranski roles and later took over the Baranski part. But I would like to have some further support for this.
  21. Jill in A Hell of a Town - Westside Theater (Upstairs). 16 performances from March 27, 1984 to April 8, 1984. (At the time of this production this theater was known as The Westside Arts Theatre).
  22. Hey, Look Me Over! - Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC. 1981.
  23. I Love My Wife [Original, Musical, Comedy] - Ethel Barrymore Theater - 867 Performances from Apr 17, 1977 (Preview was April 13, 1977) to May 20, 1979
  24. Hamlet - 1974 opposite Stacy Keach at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
  25. Promises, Promises - 1972 with the Long Beach and San Francisco Light Opera companies. (This was Joanna's stage debut)
  26. In highschool Joanna was in The Mikado and The Grass Harp.
Performances (directing, singing, or non-acting such as a reading):
  1. Co-host, Symphony Space's Annual Gala. April 5, 2010
  2. City Center's 80th Birthday Concert April 26, 2010.
  3. New York Philharmonic's Sondheim The Birthday Concert March 15 and 16, 2010. At Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. Broadcast on PBS in the fall (possibly).
  4. 9th Annual TRU Love Benefit. November 8, 2009.
  5. Reading: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. October, 2009.
  6. Reading: The Moth Long Warf Theater. October 6, 2007.
  7. Director: NYC Gay Men's Chorus, Take The A Train, NYCGMC sings Billy Strayhorn June 18, 2007.
  8. Reading: Selected Shorts, West Port County Play House, March 13, 2007.
  9. Broadway For Medicine - A Benefit. Performer. March 12, 2007.
  10. Reading: Come be my love, love spoken here, West Port County Play House February 10, 2007.
  11. Reading: Upfronts and Personal, CAP21. February 12, 2007.
  12. 22nd Annual Benefit Gala For The Drama League, When Hollywood Met Broadway: Great Songs from Stage and Screen. Host. February 5, 2007.
  13. 2nd Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival Broadway Originals. October 22, 2006.
  14. Presenter: Tony Awards (Radio City Music Hall) June 11, 2006.
  15. Gala Honoring Charles Strauss. Performer. May 7, 2006.
  16. Drama League Benefit So In Love February 13, 2006.
  17. Presenter: Broadway Barks, 2005.
  18. Broadway Flea Market, 2005.
  19. Reading: My Deah June 27, 2005.
  20. Presenter: Stars in the Alley Concert. June 1, 2005.
  21. Presenter: 2005 Theater World Awards. Joanna gave the award to Celia Keenan-Bolger (from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), May 23, 2005.
  22. Performer: Wall to Wall, Stephen Sondheim. March 19. 2005.
  23. Manhattan Theater Club, Annual Spring Gala. May 9. 2005.
  24. GMCLA "Holiday In and Out" - Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. Decmeber 19-21, 2003.
  25. Life After Birth: Musings on Parenthood (a program of original stories read by their writers) at Café Des Artistes in Hollywood. Joanna read They. Sunday, September 28, 2003. (produced and directed by Cedering Fox and Dani Klein)
  26. Stories About Love, Sex and the Sea for Summer. Canal Club in Venice. Joanna was an actor/reader along with other stars such as Sarah Clarke (of 24 fame) and Howard Hessman. Joanna read Cordials by David Kranes. Sunday, June 1, 2003.
  27. "Miami-New York" by Martha Gellhorn. Reading done, Thursday April 29, 1999 at 7PM at the Getty Museum. This was a short story reading done by the J. Paul Getty Museum along with KCRW (89.9 FM).
  28. On a Clear Day You Can See Forever - With Robert Goulet. June 24 to August 9, 1980.
Movie (screen):
  1. The Rebound (2009) as Roberta - Unreleased in USA
  2. The Women (2008) as Barbara Delacorte.
  3. My Sassy Girl (2008) as Kitty/Aunt Sally.
  4. Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) as a Therapist.
  5. Girl in the Park (2007) as Sarah Graczyk - Unreleased
  6. The Pleasure of Your Company (2006) aka Wedding Days (US Release, DVD Title, Jan 15, 2008), as Lois. This hilarious film is directed and written by Michael Ian Black and also stars Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher.
  7. Wild Blue Yonder (by Robert Young) starring Lauren Bacall, Sir Ian Holm, Alan Bates, and Max Beesley. It was shot in Ireland in 2004 I think, but I have VERY few details about its even existance. This could be a "wrong listing"
  8. Fathers and Sons (2004) as Silvia
  9. The Wedding Planner (2001) as Mrs. Kitty Donolly
  10. Let the Devil Wear Black (1999) as Dr. Rona Harvey.
    Although Chris, her husband, also appears in this movie, neither appears on screen together. This is really just a small Joanna role.
  11. Road Ends (1997) as Armacost - aka Safe House (UK: DVD title)
    Another Joanna/Chris movie. Joanna has several scenes this time and they are covered well in the gallery here.
  12. American Perfekt (1997) as Shirley
    While not a big role, she was with her husband Chris. I love her role in this film - the town's drunken whore. Always a classic.
  13. Boogie Nights (1997) as Dirk's mother
    Another smaller role, but being in a famous movie never hurt anyone. I can often reference her short screen time in this film alone to tell people who Joanna is.
  14. Edie & Pen (1997) as Maude
    ... aka Desert Gamble (UK: TV title)
  15. Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) as Gertrude Lang (clarinet player) as an adult
    While this was a short role for her, I found it interesting as she played the grown up character played by Alicia Witt. If you're a fan of Witt maybe Joanna is who Alicia will grow up to be like in real life.
  16. F/X2 (1991) as Liz Kennedy, Assistant DA.
    ... aka F/X 2: The Deadly Art of Illusion
    Not a huge role for her, but I loved how she turned out to be the super villan at the end.
  17. Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as Wendy Stern.
    In Joanna's second Woody Allen movie she played the role of Woody's wife. The two aren't happily married and at one point we learn that their last trist was April 22 - Hitler's birthday. Joanna also appears opposite Alan Alda.
  18. Heartburn (1986) as Diana
  19. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) as Carol.
    This was Joanna's first Woody Allen movie, she would do one more 3 years later.
TV (series):
  1. "Bette" (2000) as Connie Randolph
  2. "Oh Baby" (1998-2000) as Charlotte.
    Joanna's co-star was Cynthia Stevenson.
  3. "Temporarily Yours" (1997) as Joan Silver (1997)
  4. "Love & War" (1992-1995) as Nadine Berkus.
    Joanna was very popular as the former house-wife turned waitress as her husband, Charles, was away in prison and her children were leaving the nest. Joanna also got to direct a little with this show.
  5. "Personal Side" (198?) host of this cable-TV talk show on which she interviewed 13 actresses.
  6. "Hello, Larry" (1979) as Morgan Winslow (1979-1980)
TV (Pilots, Not Picked Up):
  1. "Eli Stone" (2007) - ABC - as Lenore Stone. This show was picked up and began running on ABC in January of 2008, however Joanna was replaced by Pamela Reed for the run of the show on TV. Joanna's appearance in the un-aired pilot can be found on the internet and I hope to have screen captures to share soon as well.
  2. "Great Day" (1983) - CBS - as Jennifer Simpson
  3. "Why Us?" (August 21, 1981) - NBC - as Geri Sanborn
TV (movies):
  1. If These Walls Could Talk (1996) Julia (segment "1974")
  2. For the Love of Aaron (1994) Shirley
  3. Born Too Soon (1993) Annemarie
  4. For Richer, for Poorer (1992) Irene
  5. The Boys (April, 1991) Marie.
    While never released in the US on VHS or DVD this movie brought Joanna togethe with James Woods and John Lithgow. Joanna and John would later be in the original cast for Broadway's hit Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This title is also known as The Guys.
  6. Into the Woods (1991) (PBS) Baker's wife
  7. Life Under Water (1989)
  8. Still the Beaver (1983) Kimberly.
    Here Joanna appears in a Leave it to Beaver runion show where she plays the Beaver's wife. Interesting note, Jerry Mathers (The Beaver) shares his birthday, June 2, with Joanna, but he is two years older.
  9. Why Us? (1981) Geri Sanborn.
    This reunited Joanna and former Hello, Larry co-star Kim Richards. You may know of Kim from Escape to Witch Mountain or as Paris Hilton's aunt.
TV (appearance):
  1. "The Unusuals" playing Estelle Shraeger in pilot episode, 2009.
  2. "The Good Wife" playing Judge Carmella Romano in episode "Bang" March 2, 2010.
  3. "How to Make it in America" playing (Ben or Cam)'s Mom in episode "Paper, Denim, and Dollars" February 28, 2010.
  4. "The Good Wife" playing Judge Carmella Romano in episode "Three Some" November 2009.
  5. "The Apprentice - Martha Stewart". Joanna appeared with John Lithgow as themselves to help the contestants create celebrity experiences to be auctioned to benefit Broadway Barks. Not a big appearance, but a great prime-time appearance. October 26, 2005 NBC (re-ran on CNBC on the 27th). Photo available here.
  6. Host: "WABC Fall Broadway Preview" October 22, 2005.
  7. "Broadway Backstage: Fall Preview" host. The program featured A Naked Girl on the Appian Way's Jill Clayburgh, the cast of the new musical Jersey Boys, and footage from Latinologues and Absurd Person Singular. The broadcast also included an inside look at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, including the recent Flea Market and Auction in Shubert Alley. October 22, 2005 WABC.
  8. "King of the Hill"  playing "Maddy Platter" (voice) in episode: "A River Runs Through It" (episode # 9.1) 7 November 2004
  9. "The West Wing" playing "Atty. Jordon Kendall" in episode: "Process Stories" (episode # 4.8) 13 November 2002
  10. "The West Wing" playing "Jordan Kendall" in episode: "Game On" (episode # 4.6) 30 October 2002
  11. "The West Wing" playing "Atty. Jordon Kendall" in episode: "College Kids" (episode # 4.3) 2 October 2002
  12. "AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions - America's Greatest Love Stories" as herself, with Chris Sarandon.
  13. "The West Wing" playing "Atty. Jordon Kendall" in episode: "H.Con-172" (episode # 3.11) 9 January 2002
  14. "The West Wing" playing "Atty. Jordon Kendall" in episode: "Bartlet for America" (episode # 3.10) 12 December 2001
  15. "The Practice" playing "Defense Atty. Henrietta Lightstone" in episode: "Vanished: Part 2" (episode # 6.6) 21 October 2001
  16. "The Practice" playing "Defense Atty. Henrietta Lightstone" in episode: "Vanished: Part 1" (episode # 6.5) 14 October 2001
  17. "Biography" playing "Herself" in episode: "Monty Hall: Let's Make a Deal" 8 December 1999
  18. "King of the Hill" playing "Maddy Platter" (voice) in episode: "Happy Hank's Giving" (episode # 4.7) 21 November 1999
  19. "Friends" playing "Kim" in episode: "The One with Ross' Teeth" (episode # 6.8) 18 November 1999
  20. "Friends" playing "Kim" in episode: "The One Where Rachel Smokes" (episode # 5.18) 8 April 1999
  21. "King of the Hill" playing "Marie's Mother" (voice) in episode: "And They Call It Bobby Love" (episode # 3.2) 22 September 1998
  22. "King of the Hill" (voice) in episode: "Propane Boom" (episode # 2.23) 17 May 1998
  23. "King of the Hill" playing "Nurse" (voice) in episode: "Junkie Business" (episode # 2.20) 26 April 1998
  24. "King of the Hill" playing "Leanne" (voice) in episode: "Leanne's Saga" (episode # 2.19) 19 April 1998
  25. "Tracey Takes On..." playing "Katherine Hawkins" in episode: "Age" (episode # 3.6) 8 February 1998.
  26. "George & Leo" in episode: "The Teacher" (episode # 1.16) 19 January 1998.
  27. "Murphy Brown" playing "Athena Gillington" in episode: "Petty Woman" (episode # 10.7) 12 November 1997. Here Joanna is Murhpy's good-looking arch enemy.
  28. "King of the Hill" (voice) in episode: "Husky Bobby" (episode # 2.6) 9 November 1997.
  29. "Perversions of Science" playing "Mrs. Rabe" in episode: "Anatomy Lesson" (episode # 1.2) (June or July, 1997)
  30. "Adventures from the Book of Virtues" as the voice of Della in episode "Generosity" where Joanna's character was in a Gift of the Magi segment opposite a character voiced by husband Chris Sarandon 1997.
  31. "ER" playing "Iris" in episode: "Take These Broken Wings" (episode # 2.21) 9 May 1996.
  32. "ER" playing "Iris" in episode: "Fire in the Belly" (episode # 2.19) 25 April 1996.
  33. "The Outer Limits" playing "Leslie" in episode: "Inconstant Moon" (episode # 2.12) 12 April 1996.
    In this show Joanna is a friend of Michael Gross' character who discovers the sun is burning out and uses Earth's final hours to make up for lost time. FYI - Michael Gross is a train fan, just like the admin of this site.
  34. "ER" playing "Iris" in episode: "The Match Game" (episode # 2.17) 28 March 1996
    I find these appearances on ER to be funny because Joanna played a love interest of Dr. Green. Well, a few seasons later Dr. Green needed brain surgery, and who showed up to perform the role of the surgeon? Joanna's real life husband Chris Sarandon.
  35. "Tracey Takes On..." playing "LeAnne the Stewardess" in episode: "Family" (episode # 1.5) 21 February 1996
  36. "Bosom Buddies" playing "Faith" in episode: "What Price Glory?" (episode # 1.5) 1 January 1981 - I'm not sure that this is her here - it kind of looks like her, but really doesn't seem like a role she'd do: no lines, hardly any screen time. Does anyone have any confirmation one way or the other on this one?
  37. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "Thanksgiving Crossover: Part 2" (episode # 2.12) 28 November 1979
  38. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "Thanksgiving Crossover: Part 1" (episode # 2.11) 28 November 1979
  39. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "Feudin' and Fussin': Part 2" (episode # 2.4) 28 September 1979
  40. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "Feudin' and Fussin': Part 1" (episode # 2.3) 28 September 1979
  41. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "The Trip: Part 2" (episode # 1.21) 30 March 1979
  42. "Diff'rent Strokes" playing "Morgan Winslow" in episode: "The Trip: Part 1" (episode # 1.20) 30 March 1979
  43. "DINAH!" - Joanna appeared on an episode of DINAH in 1978 with her father, Monty Hall. Air date and other episode information is not yet known.
Game Show Appearances:
  1. Password Plus. Episodes 626-630. Jun 19, 22-25, 1981. Joanna was on with Greg Morris.
  2. Password Plus. Episodes 521-525. Jan 8-9, and 12-14, 1981. Joanna was on with Robert Donner.
  3. Password Plus. Episodes 456-460. Oct 7-10 and 13, 1980. Joanna was on with Jon Bauman.
  4. $20,000 Pyramid. Fri March 21, 1980 (was taped at the ABC studios about 10 days earlier). Contestant with Joanna was Rita M. and she was pregnant at the time. The other celebrity was David Letterman.
  5. Password Plus. Episodes 306-310. March 10-14, 1980. Joanna was on with Vicki Lawrence, Carol Burnett, and McLean Stevenson.
  6. Password Plus. Episodes 276-280. Jan 28 to Feb 1, 1980. Joanna was with Dick Gautier.
  7. Frequent (but currently unknown number or air dates) appearances on TV game show, "Chain Reaction."
  8. Password Plus. Episodes 202-206. Oct 15-19, 1979. Joanna was on with Betty White.
  9. Password Plus. Episodes 187-191. Sep 24-28, 1979. Joanna was on with Robert Pine.
  10. "Let’s Make a Deal" Final episode, Joanna had a cameo role on this final episode taped in December of 1976 and aired in 1977. This would be the only show in "Let's Make A Deal" history to have no zonks.
JG
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