Ann Cusack Biography: The Eldest Voice of the Cusack Acting Dynasty
In a family where talent flows as naturally as conversation at the dinner table, Ann Cusack occupies a unique and sometimes overlooked position. As the eldest of the five Cusack siblings who would all find their way into acting, she was the first to step onto a stage, the first to appear on screen, and in many ways, the pioneer who blazed a trail her brothers and sisters would follow. Yet her career has unfolded with a quiet determination that stands in contrast to the more headline-grabbing trajectories of her younger siblings, Joan and John. Over more than three decades in film and television, Ann Cusack has built a body of work marked by versatility, professionalism, and an ability to disappear into roles ranging from comedic sidekicks to dramatic heavyweights.
Born on May 22, 1961, in Manhattan, New York City, Ann Paula Cusack entered the world just as her parents’ marriage was taking root. Her father, Dick Cusack, was then a rising advertising executive, and her mother, Nancy Carolan, was a mathematics teacher with a passion for political activism. The family would soon grow to include Joan (1962), Bill (1964), John (1966), and Susie (1971), creating a household that would become one of the most remarkable incubators of acting talent in American entertainment history.
This biography traces Ann Cusack’s journey from her early years in New York and Evanston to her breakout role in “A League of Their Own,” through her extensive filmography that includes collaborations with Hollywood’s biggest stars, to her acclaimed television work in series like “Better Call Saul,” “Mr. Mercedes,” and “The Boys.” It examines her life not merely as an appendage to her more famous siblings but as an artist in her own right, one whose choices reflect a commitment to craft over celebrity and substance over spectacle.

Ann Cusack Early Life: The First Cusack on Stage
Ann Cusack’s childhood was defined by the same forces that would shape all the Cusack children: a close-knit Irish Catholic family, a father who transformed from advertising executive to filmmaker and actor, a mother who devoted herself to raising five children, and the creative ferment of the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois. But Ann was the first to experience these influences, the guinea pig for a parenting philosophy that would prove extraordinarily effective.
The Cusack family’s move from New York City to Evanston, Illinois, around 1963 to 1966, was prompted by Dick Cusack’s advertising career. As Joan Cusack would later recall, “They were both from the East Coast: Boston and New York City. After they married, my dad’s job brought them to Chicago for a couple of years, which they thought was a pretty good place to raise a family. So they were first-generation Chicagoans.” For Ann, who was just a toddler when the move occurred, Evanston would be the only home she knew during her formative years.
The Piven Theatre Workshop became the crucible in which Ann’s talent was first forged. Founded by Byrne Piven and Joyce Piven, friends of the Cusack family, the workshop emphasized creativity, improvisation, and what Joan described as “theater games and humanizing people.” Ann was the first Cusack child to take the stage with the company, beginning at the age of ten. This was not a casual after-school activity; it was serious artistic training that would lay the groundwork for her entire career.
Ann’s early involvement in theater had a ripple effect throughout the family. Joan Cusack would later credit her older sister with sparking her own interest in acting: “I was very shy, but my sister Ann was involved in the theatre, and I tagged along. That’s how I got interested in drama.” This dynamic, the older sibling leading the way and the younger ones following, would become a recurring pattern in the Cusack family, with each sibling’s success creating both inspiration and, perhaps, pressure for those who came after.
Growing up in the Cusack household was, by all accounts, a lively and unconventional experience. Dick Cusack was, as Joan described him, “a really funny man, very silly. He loved comedy. We would watch Mel Brooks movies and Monty Python, and he would always find some humor in everything.” He made home movies of his children and screened them in the backyard, creating an environment where performance was not just encouraged but celebrated. Ann and her siblings would stage their own plays at home, with Ann typically assuming the dual role of director and princess, a telling detail that suggests both her leadership instincts and her comfort in the spotlight.
The Cusack children’s upbringing was also marked by strong political engagement. Their mother, Nancy, was an activist, and their father had won an Emmy for a documentary about abortion at a time when the subject was deeply controversial. The family was friends with Philip Berrigan, the prominent peace activist, and the values of social justice and civic responsibility were woven into the fabric of daily life. This political consciousness would manifest in different ways in each sibling’s career, with John becoming known for his outspoken activism and Ann choosing roles that often explored moral complexity and social issues.
Ann’s education included time at Berklee College of Music, where she studied alongside her siblings Joan and John. This musical training would prove valuable throughout her career, not just as a performer but as a singer who would eventually front her own band. The decision to study music rather than pursue a traditional acting conservatory reflects the Cusack family’s broader philosophy: artistic training should be broad and interdisciplinary, allowing for unexpected connections and creative cross-pollination.
Ann Cusack Breakthrough: A League of Their Own and Early Film Career
Ann Cusack’s film debut came in 1992, when she was cast by director Penny Marshall as Shirley Baker in “A League of Their Own.” It was, by any standard, an extraordinary first role. The film was a major studio production starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, and Madonna, telling the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War II. For an unknown actress to land a significant role in such a high-profile project was a testament to both her talent and the connections she had built through years of theater work.
Shirley Baker was a left fielder, one of the Rockford Peaches, a character who was illiterate but possessed of natural athletic ability and heart. The role required Cusack to hold her own alongside some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, including Tom Hanks in one of his most beloved performances and Madonna at the height of her fame. Cusack would later recall her mindset during filming: “I just wanted to be able to do a great job and not be totally intimidated and overwhelmed by meeting Tom [Hanks] and Geena [Davis]. I was just trying not to make an ass out of myself in front of all these people whom I was starstruck with.”
This combination of ambition and humility, the desire to excel while acknowledging the enormity of the moment, would characterize Cusack’s approach throughout her career. She did not emerge from “A League of Their Own” as an overnight star; the film’s ensemble nature meant that no single supporting performer dominated the spotlight. But she had proven that she could work at the highest level of the industry, and the role opened doors that would lead to a steady stream of film and television work over the next three decades.
The early 1990s saw Cusack building her resume with a series of supporting roles in films that, while not always blockbusters, were significant stepping stones. In 1993, she appeared as a waitress in “Malice,” a thriller starring Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, and Bill Pullman. The following year, she had a small role as Bill’s secretary in “Renaissance Man,” starring Danny DeVito. In 1995, she played Sub Girl in “Tank Girl,” a post-apocalyptic comic book adaptation starring Lori Petty, and appeared in “The Point of Betrayal.”
These early roles demonstrated Cusack’s versatility and her willingness to take on diverse projects. She was not typecast; she moved between genres and character types with an ease that suggested both range and a lack of ego. Unlike some actors who refuse small roles or resist playing characters who are not the center of the story, Cusack seemed to approach each project as an opportunity to learn and to contribute, regardless of the size of her part.
The mid-1990s brought roles that would become some of her most memorable. In 1996, she appeared in “The Birdcage” as a TV woman in a van, a brief but funny appearance in Mike Nichols’ acclaimed comedy. The same year, she played Noreen in “Multiplicity” opposite Michael Keaton, a role that put her in a major studio comedy directed by Harold Ramis. She also appeared as the White House Tour Guide in “My Fellow Americans,” a political comedy starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner.
But it was 1997 that brought one of her most significant early roles: Amy in “Grosse Pointe Blank,” starring her brother John and featuring her sister Joan. The film, a dark comedy about a hitman attending his high school reunion, became a cult classic and demonstrated the unique dynamic that the Cusack siblings could create on screen. Ann’s role as Amy, a former classmate, was relatively small, but it was part of a larger family collaboration that would become one of the hallmarks of her career. The Cusack family’s willingness to work together, to support each other’s projects, and to create opportunities for collaboration was unusual in an industry often characterized by competition and rivalry.
Television Work: Building a Career One Episode at a Time
While Ann Cusack’s film work established her credentials in the industry, it was on television that she would build the most extensive and varied body of work. Her television career began in the early 1990s and would eventually encompass dozens of guest appearances, recurring roles, and a handful of starring vehicles that demonstrated her range and reliability as a performer.
Her first significant television work came with “The Jackie Thomas Show” (ABC, 1992-93), a sitcom created by Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr in which Cusack had a recurring role as Stephanie. The show, which starred Tom Arnold as a fictionalized version of himself, was not a critical or commercial success, but it provided Cusack with valuable experience in the sitcom format and in the rhythms of television production.
The mid-1990s saw Cusack taking on a series of guest roles that would become the bread and butter of her television career. She appeared in episodes of “Frasier” (NBC, 1993-2004), “Ally McBeal” (Fox, 1997-2002), and other popular series of the era. These were not glamorous roles; they were the kind of one-episode appearances that working actors take to pay the bills and maintain visibility in an industry where out of sight often means out of mind.
In 1995-97, Cusack replaced Anita Barone as Karen Foxworthy on “The Jeff Foxworthy Show” (ABC/NBC) for the show’s second and final season. This was a more substantial commitment, a recurring role on a network sitcom that allowed her to develop a character over multiple episodes. While the show was not a long-running hit, it demonstrated Cusack’s ability to step into an established role and make it her own, a skill that would prove valuable throughout her career.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Cusack continuing to build her television resume with guest appearances on some of the most popular shows of the era. She appeared in episodes of “Charmed” (WB, 1998-2006), “Ghost Whisperer” (CBS, 2005-2010), “The Unit” (CBS, 2006-2009), “Boston Legal” (ABC, 2004-2008), “Bones” (Fox, 2005-2017), “Criminal Minds” (CBS, 2005-2020), and “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 2005-present). This list reads like a tour through the golden age of network television drama, and Cusack’s presence on so many of these shows is a testament to her professionalism and the respect she commanded among casting directors and producers.
Each of these guest roles required Cusack to quickly establish a character, to make an impression in limited screen time, and to serve the story without overshadowing the regular cast. It is a particular skill, one that separates reliable character actors from those who struggle to adapt to the demands of episodic television. Cusack mastered this skill, becoming a go-to performer for roles that required emotional depth, comedic timing, or a combination of both.
In 2009, Cusack took on a recurring role as Susan Grant on “Private Practice” (ABC, 2007-13), the “Grey’s Anatomy” spin-off created by Shonda Rhimes. This was a more substantial commitment than her typical guest appearances, allowing her to develop a character over multiple episodes and to become part of the show’s ensemble. Her work on “Private Practice” coincided with a period of increased visibility for the Cusack family as a whole, as John’s career continued to flourish and Joan’s work on “Shameless” earned her critical acclaim.
The 2010s brought some of Cusack’s most high-profile television work. In 2014, she appeared as Linda in “Nightcrawler,” the Jake Gyllenhaal-led thriller that was one of the most acclaimed films of the year. In 2015, she appeared as Judge Mundt in an episode of “Fargo” (FX), the critically acclaimed anthology series based on the Coen Brothers film. These roles demonstrated her ability to move between film and television, between comedy and drama, with an ease that reflected decades of experience.
Net Worth of Ann Cusack in comparison with her siblings
| Sibling | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| John Cusack | $50 million (approximate) |
| Joan Cusack | $20 million |
| Ann Cusack | $20 million |
| Bill Cusack | Undisclosed |
| Susie Cusack | Undisclosed |
How She Built Her Wealth
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Film Career | “A League of Their Own,” “Multiplicity,” “The Birdcage,” “Nightcrawler,” “Sully” |
| Television Career | “Better Call Saul,” “The Boys,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Private Practice,” “Grey’s Anatomy” |
| Music Career | Ann Cusack and the Generation Jones Band performances |
| Real Estate | Properties in Los Angeles and London |
Better Call Saul, Mr. Mercedes, and The Boys: Late Career Highlights
If Ann Cusack’s early career was defined by a steady, workmanlike accumulation of credits, her later career has been marked by roles in some of the most acclaimed and culturally significant television series of the past decade. These roles have not just added to her resume; they have introduced her to new generations of viewers and demonstrated that her talents have only deepened with time.
From 2016 to 2018, Cusack appeared in four episodes of “Better Call Saul” (AMC, 2015-2022), the “Breaking Bad” prequel that is widely regarded as one of the greatest television dramas ever made. She played Rebecca Bois, the ex-wife of Michael McKean’s Chuck McGill, a character whose relationship with her former husband provided crucial insight into Chuck’s psychology and motivations. The role was small in terms of screen time, but significant in terms of narrative impact, and Cusack’s performance brought a warmth and complexity to Rebecca that made her more than just a plot device.
Working on “Better Call Saul” placed Cusack in the company of some of the most talented writers, directors, and actors in television. The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan, and its showrunner, Peter Gould, were known for their meticulous attention to detail and their willingness to give even minor characters the depth and nuance typically reserved for leads. Cusack’s presence on the show was a recognition of her ability to deliver under these demanding conditions, to bring her full talent to bear even in limited appearances.
In 2017, Cusack took on a recurring role in the first season of “Mr. Mercedes” (Audience Network, 2017-2019), the television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. She played Olivia Trelawney, a character whose death sets the plot in motion, appearing in three episodes. The role was a departure from her typical work, placing her in the dark, atmospheric world of King’s fiction and requiring her to convey the terror and vulnerability of a victim. Her performance was praised for its emotional intensity and for the way it grounded the show’s supernatural elements in human reality.
From 2019 to the present, Cusack has appeared in a recurring role as Donna January on “The Boys” (Amazon Prime Video, 2019-present), the critically acclaimed superhero satire created by Eric Kripke. The show, based on the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, is known for its violent, irreverent take on the superhero genre, and Cusack’s role as the mother of a young superhero (Starlight) has allowed her to explore the darker side of parental ambition and the cost of fame. Her performance brings a grounded, human quality to a show that often operates at the level of spectacle, reminding viewers that even in the most fantastical settings, the emotional stakes are what matter most.
These three roles, “Better Call Saul,” “Mr. Mercedes,” and “The Boys,” represent a kind of late-career renaissance for Cusack, a period in which she has been cast in projects that are not just popular but culturally significant. They demonstrate that her reputation within the industry remains strong, that casting directors and producers continue to value her reliability and her range, and that she has the ability to adapt to the changing landscape of television, where streaming platforms have created new opportunities and new challenges for actors.
Film Work: From Multiplicity to Sully
While television has provided the bulk of Ann Cusack’s work, her film career has included roles in some of the most notable films of the past three decades. These roles have often been supporting parts, but they have placed her alongside some of the biggest stars in Hollywood and in films that have achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.
In 1996, Cusack appeared in “Multiplicity” as Noreen, opposite Michael Keaton and Andie MacDowell. The film, directed by Harold Ramis, starred Keaton as a man who is cloned, with each clone representing a different aspect of his personality. Cusack’s role was part of an ensemble that included the comedic talents of Keaton at the height of his powers, and the film demonstrated her ability to hold her own in a comedy driven by a major star’s performance.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw Cusack continuing to appear in films that, while not always starring vehicles for her, were significant entries in the careers of their leads. In 1997, she appeared in “Cannes Man” as Kitty Monaco and in “Peoria Babylon” as Candy Dineen. In 1999, she played Dr. Reston in “Stigmata,” a supernatural thriller starring Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne. In 2000, she appeared as Liz in “What Planet Are You From?” opposite Annette Bening and the late Garry Shandling.
In 2001, Cusack had a small role as an assistant to Lee Phillips in “America’s Sweethearts,” a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film was not a critical success, but it was a major studio production that kept Cusack visible in the industry and maintained her relationships with the casting directors and producers who would continue to hire her.
The 2000s and 2010s saw Cusack appearing in a steady stream of films, often in small but memorable roles. In 2006, she played Diane Gaines in “Accepted,” the mother of Justin Long’s protagonist, and appeared in “The Sensation of Sight” opposite David Strathairn. In 2007, she appeared in “Cake: A Wedding Story” and “The Neighbor.” In 2009, she played Melissa Ventura in “Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective,” taking on a role originated by Courteney Cox in the original film, and appeared in “The Informant!” opposite Matt Damon.
In 2014, Cusack appeared as Linda in “Nightcrawler,” the critically acclaimed thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo. The film, directed by Dan Gilroy, was a dark satire of the local news industry and the moral compromises it demands. Cusack’s role was small but significant, part of the ensemble that created the film’s atmosphere of creeping dread and ethical ambiguity. Her performance contributed to the film’s overall impact, which earned it an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
In 2016, Cusack achieved one of her highest-profile film roles, playing Donna Dent in Clint Eastwood’s “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks and Aaron Eckhart. The film told the story of Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who successfully landed a disabled plane on the Hudson River, and Cusack’s role as one of the flight attendants who helped ensure the survival of all passengers was part of the ensemble that brought the story to life. Working with Eastwood, one of the most respected directors in Hollywood, and Hanks, one of its most beloved stars, was a significant milestone in her career, a recognition of her status as a reliable, professional performer who could be trusted with a role in a major prestige picture.
Music and Creative Life Beyond Acting
Ann Cusack’s creative life extends beyond acting into music, a dimension of her career that reflects both her training at Berklee College of Music and the Cusack family’s broader commitment to artistic expression in all its forms. When she is not acting in projects like “Mr. Mercedes” and “Better Call Saul,” Cusack sings with Ann Cusack and the Generation Jones Band, a musical project that allows her to explore a different kind of performance and to connect with audiences in a more intimate setting than film or television allows.
The Generation Jones Band performs what Cusack describes as “original R&B and classic blues songs,” drawing on influences that include Big Mama Thornton, Little Milton, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, and Mighty Sam McClain. This is not the music of her generation; it is the music of an earlier era, rooted in the traditions of American blues and R&B that have influenced virtually every form of popular music that followed. Cusack’s choice to perform this material suggests both a respect for musical history and a desire to explore the emotional depths that blues music, in particular, is designed to access.
The band’s name, “Generation Jones,” refers to the micro-generation born between 1954 and 1965, sandwiched between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Cusack, born in 1961, falls squarely within this cohort, and the name suggests both an identification with this often-overlooked generation and a sense of the musical traditions that shaped its members. The band represents a side of Cusack that is less visible than her acting but no less important to her creative identity.
Music has always been part of the Cusack family’s creative DNA. All three of the eldest Cusack siblings, Ann, Joan, and John, attended Berklee College of Music, and while only Ann has pursued music as a significant part of her professional life, the musical training has informed all of their work. The rhythm of dialogue, the musicality of a well-delivered line, the ability to hear and respond to the subtle cues of other performers, these are skills that musical training develops and that actors use constantly, whether they are conscious of it or not.
Cusack’s musical career also reflects a broader pattern in her life: the willingness to pursue multiple creative outlets rather than focusing exclusively on one. Just as her father moved from advertising to filmmaking to playwriting to acting, and just as her siblings have explored writing, producing, and activism alongside their acting, Ann has refused to limit herself to a single medium. This versatility is not just a professional strategy; it is a creative philosophy, a belief that artistic expression should not be confined by the categories that the industry imposes.
Family Dynamics: The Eldest Sibling in a Dynasty
Being the eldest of five children is a role that shapes a person in ways both obvious and subtle. For Ann Cusack, it meant being the first to navigate the challenges of the acting profession, the first to experience the disappointments and triumphs that her siblings would later encounter, and in many ways, the first to prove that a Cusack could succeed in the entertainment industry. While Joan Cusack and John Cusack would eventually achieve greater fame, Ann’s early success established the template that her siblings would follow.
The Cusack siblings have collaborated on screen multiple times, creating a body of shared work that is unusual in Hollywood. Ann appeared alongside John and Joan in “Grosse Pointe Blank” (1997), a film that also featured their brother Bill. She shared the screen with John in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” (1997) and “America’s Sweethearts” (2001). She appeared with Joan in “Hero” (1992). These collaborations were not just professional opportunities; they were family gatherings, chances for the siblings to work together in an industry that often keeps families apart.
John Cusack has spoken about the experience of working with his siblings, noting the unique dynamic that exists between performers who have known each other since childhood. “I always love working with her,” he said of Joan in 2007. “I can’t believe they still let us do it.” This sentiment, the joy of collaborating with family, applies equally to his work with Ann, even if their shared screen time has been less extensive than his collaborations with Joan.
The Cusack family’s closeness is one of their most notable characteristics. In an industry known for its competitiveness and its tendency to pit siblings against each other, the Cusacks have maintained strong relationships and supported each other’s careers. This is partly a function of their upbringing, the values of loyalty and mutual support that Dick and Nancy Cusack instilled in their children. It is also a function of their shared experience, the unique bond that comes from growing up in the same household, attending the same theater workshop, and navigating the same profession.
Ann’s role as the eldest sibling has, by all accounts, been one of quiet leadership rather than domineering authority. She was the first to try theater, and her example inspired the others. She was the first to land a major film role, and her success showed what was possible. But she has never sought to overshadow her siblings or to claim credit for their achievements. Instead, she has pursued her own path with a determination that is both independent and respectful of the family legacy.
The death of their father, Dick Cusack, in 2003, and their mother, Nancy, in 2022, has only strengthened the bonds between the siblings. These losses, while painful, have reminded them of the values their parents instilled and the importance of maintaining the connections that have sustained them throughout their careers. For Ann, as the eldest, these losses may carry a particular weight, a sense of responsibility to preserve the family legacy and to support her younger siblings as they navigate their own grief and their own evolving careers.
Ann Cusack Personal Life: Privacy and Professionalism
Ann Cusack has maintained a relatively private personal life, choosing to let her work speak for itself rather than sharing extensive details about her life outside of acting. This privacy is consistent with the Cusack family’s overall approach to fame; while some of her siblings, particularly John, have been more publicly visible, the family as a whole has tended to keep their personal lives separate from their professional personas.
What is known about Cusack’s personal life reflects the values that have shaped her career. She is based in both Los Angeles and London, a bicoastal and international existence that reflects the global nature of the entertainment industry and her willingness to work wherever the opportunities arise. Her involvement with the Generation Jones Band suggests a commitment to creative expression that extends beyond the demands of her acting career.
Cusack has never married publicly, and she has kept details of her romantic life private. In an era of social media oversharing, this restraint is notable and reflects a professional discipline that extends beyond the set or the stage. She understands that her brand is built on her work, not her personal life, and she has been careful to maintain boundaries that allow her to focus on what she does best.
Her charitable and community involvement, while less documented than that of some of her siblings, is consistent with the values of social responsibility that her parents instilled. The Cusack family as a whole has been recognized for their commitment to community, receiving the Commitment to Chicago Award in 2000 for their collective contribution to the city’s cultural and civic life. Ann’s share in this award reflects not just her professional achievements but her engagement with the communities that have supported her career.
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Conclusion
Ann Cusack’s career is a testament to the power of persistence, versatility, and quiet professionalism. She has never been the most famous Cusack; that distinction belongs to Joan, with her Oscar nominations and Emmy wins, or to John, with his leading-man status and political activism. But Ann’s body of work, spanning more than three decades and encompassing dozens of films and television shows, is no less impressive for its relative lack of headline-grabbing moments. It is the work of an actor who has built a career on craft, on reliability, and on the ability to deliver in any circumstance.
Her journey from the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston to the sets of “A League of Their Own,” “Better Call Saul,” and “The Boys” reflects both the opportunities and the challenges of the acting profession. She has worked steadily in an industry where steady work is rare. She has maintained her relevance across decades in an industry where relevance is often fleeting. She has adapted to changes in the medium, from network television to cable to streaming, without losing the core of what makes her effective as a performer.
The Cusack family’s legacy in American entertainment is secure, and Ann’s contribution to that legacy is significant. She was the first to act, the first to prove that the family’s creative impulses could be channeled into a professional career, and the first to demonstrate that the values of their upbringing, integrity, hard work, and artistic seriousness could survive the pressures of Hollywood. Her siblings have built on this foundation, achieving greater fame and, in some cases, greater critical acclaim. But the foundation itself was laid by Ann, the eldest, the pioneer, the one who went first.
As she continues to work as both an actor and a musician, Ann Cusack remains a vital presence in American entertainment. Her roles in recent years suggest that she is not slowing down, that she continues to seek out challenging material and to bring her full talent to bear on every project. The girl who was “always the director and always played the princess” in her childhood home productions has become a woman who directs her own career with the same confidence and creativity, who plays the roles she chooses with the same commitment to excellence, and who represents, in her own quiet way, the best of what the Cusack family has to offer.