Joanna Gleason

Joanna Gleason (born June 2, 1950) is a Canadian actress and singer.

Born Joanne Halprin in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the daughter of game show host Monty Hall and his wife, Marilyn Plottel, Gleason made her Broadway debut in 1977 in I Love My Wife, for which she was honored with a Theatre World Award. Additional Broadway credits include The Real Thing, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Nick & Nora, Into the Woods, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Gleason's screen credits include Hannah and Her Sisters, Heartburn, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Mr. Holland's Opus, Boogie Nights, and The Wedding Planner. On television she was featured in eight episodes of King of the Hill, six episodes of Diff'rent Strokes, three episodes of ER and had a recurring role as Jordan Kendall, Special Counsel (and love interest) to White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry in the third and fourth seasons of The West Wing. Additional TV credits include Murphy Brown, Friends, Bette, and The Practice.

Gleason has been married to actor Chris Sarandon since 1994. They have one daughter. She also has a son from a former marriage.

[edit] Additional awards and nominations

2005 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, nominee)
2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, nominee)
1988 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Into the Woods, winner)
1988 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Into the Woods, winner)
1986 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (It's Only a Play and Social Security, winner)
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Joe Egg, nominee)
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Joe Egg, nominee)

Preceded by Maryann Plunkett for Me and My Girl	Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical 1988 for Into the Woods	Succeeded by Ruth Brown for Black and Blue