About

Joanna Gleason is an artist whose career and life are defined by versatility, creativity, and a deep commitment to storytelling. Known for her Tony Award-winning portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, Gleason’s illustrious career has spanned the worlds of theater, film, television, and visual arts. Her journey as an actor, director, and artist is both rich and multifaceted.

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Born in 1950 in Toronto, Canada, Joanna Gleason was raised in a family that embraced the arts. Her father, Monty Hall, was best known for hosting the iconic television game show Let’s Make a Deal, and her mother, Marilyn Hall, was an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer. The arts were generational for Gleason, her Grandmother Rose Halparin being a member of the Yiddish Theatre of Winnipeg, Canada where she was both playwright and actor. Her connection to the world of visual arts also began early, as she explored drawing and painting alongside her theatrical pursuits.​

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Joanna’s early years as an actress saw her appearing in various stage productions, but it was her breakthrough role as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (1987) that brought her widespread acclaim. This performance in the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine masterpiece not only earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical but also established her as one of Broadway’s leading talents. The performance showcased her powerful ability to balance humor, vulnerability, and depth, capturing the complexities of the character in a way that made it unforgettable to audiences.

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Throughout her career, Joanna’s theater work has spanned a wide range of roles, both comedic and dramatic, including notable productions such as Joe Egg, The Real Thing, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She has also performed in a variety of television shows and films, including The West Wing, and Happily Divorced, bringing her unique voice and perspective to each role.

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Beyond acting, Gleason is also an accomplished director, known for her thoughtful and empathetic approach to guiding others in the creative process. She has directed plays and musicals, focusing on fostering a collaborative environment where actors and artists can explore their characters in depth. Her directing style reflects her own experiences as a performer, allowing her to offer insightful feedback that enriches the work. She has written and directed two films- “Morning Into Night” (a short) and the recently completed “The Grotto” (feature). 

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In addition to her work in the theater and film industry, Joanna is a passionate visual artist. Drawing inspiration from her travels and life experiences, she has created a collection of visual art pieces that reflect her unique perspective on the world. Her work includes paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces that explore themes of identity, connection, and transformation. Her artistic practice is as fluid and exploratory as her career, and her visual art will be included in her forthcoming memoir with a working title of "Who's Woods These Are."​

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Joanna remains deeply connected to her roots in both the entertainment industry and the visual arts, always pushing boundaries while remaining true to the spirit of storytelling. Her work is a celebration of the human experience, rich with emotion, depth, and insight, marking her as a truly multifaceted and influential artist.

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Joanna and her husband, actor Chris Sarandon, live in Connecticut and always have a dog. They met while performing in the short-lived 1991 Broadway musical Nick & Nora, and married in 1995. Together they have nine grandchildren... and counting!