On August 20, 1956 in Rochelle, Illinois, Joan Allen was born to Jeff and Dorothy Allen. She was the youngest of four children. Her father owned a Gas Station and her mother was a housewife. From such simple beginnings, Joan Allen went on to win numerous awards and three Oscar nominations for her work as an Actress. Though she is not a household name, Joan Allen didn't fool her high school class who voted her most likely to succeed. Upon graduating she went on to study acting at Eastern Illinois State University from 1976 to 1978.

Joan is one of the founding members, along with John Malkovich, of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble troupe. She stayed with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company for seven years and it wasn't until 1983 that she broke into film. Joan has won numerous awards for her on and off Broadway roles, the most notable of which was a Tony for "Burn This". This role also won her critical acclaim and left her mark with fans. In 1996 and 1997 she was nominated of an Academy Award which brought her to the attention of directors. In 2001 she was once again nominated for an Academy Award for Best Support Actress for her role in "The Contender".

Joan Allen is considered one of the best well rounded actresses working today by critics. She attributes her start in acting as an attempt to overcome her shyness so she could meet boys. Since she didn't make the cheerleading squad she tried acting and found it to be the best place to explore the other aspects of life that "good girls" are discouraged from doing. Her acting lead her to meet her husband Peter Friedman. They met while she was with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1983. In 1990 they were married and they have one daughter Saddie.