Joan Allen was born on August 20, 1956 in Rochelle, Illinois. In 1986 Joan Allen was listed as one of twelve Promising New Actors in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 38.

Peter Friedman and Joan Allen were married in January 1990, they have one child together, Peter Friedman has been in PAYCHECK and SINGLE WHITE FEMALE.

Her broadway debut BURN THIS earned Joan Allen a Tony in 1989 for her performance.

In 2005 Joan Allen took on a new role she became the producer for the movie PUSHERS NEEDED , in this movie she will also have a acting role.