Joan Cusack and her husband, Richard Burke lead a private life in Chicago, with their sons away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Actress and voice artist, Joan Cusack is currently making headlines for her first red carpet appearance in 11 years. She stepped into the spotlight at the London premiere of Toy Story 5 after decades of private life. Her rare public appearance on May 28, 2025 alongside co-stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen quickly thrilled fans across the internet. Many noted that she was glowing, suggesting she was living a happy life away from Hollywood's attention. She was accompanied by her husband, Richard Burke, on the red carpet. The rare sight of the couple led fans to wonder what might be the reason for their private life.
Joan Cusack has been living in Chicago with her husband, Richard Burke and their two sons since stepping back from Hollywood. She opted for that lifestyle because she wants to give her kids a simple, easy life away from the spotlight. She opened up about the same during an interview with Huffpost. The 63-year-old actress' better half also rarely shows his face in public to avoid the intense media attention that comes from being the partner of a Hollywood star. Joan shared that she and her family loved their quiet life in Chicago.
Joan mentioned they are fond of Chicago's history and culture and prefer staying there rather than the actors' paradise, Los Angeles. She is very particular about how and where she wants her sons to grow up. Joan Cusack wants their lives not to be under constant scrutiny, which could make them conscious and insecure about their appearance and financial status. As per her, those are not the values her kiss should imbibe. Regarding their perfect life in Chicago, Joan stated:
"As my kids would say, 'Chicago is awesome!' It has rich culture and history, as well as some of the best museums, architecture and restaurants in the world. Plus, it prevents our family life from revolving around TV and the movies. In LA it's easy to get caught up in what you look like or how much money you have, and those aren't values I want my kids to adopt."
Richard Burke is an attorney by profession. Reportedly, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Centre and worked for the law firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom. He led HomeGain.com and Apartments.com, and later served as president and CEO of Envoy Global from 2015 until 2025, when he retired.
Joan Cusack was already a famous actress before she met Richard Burke. She had also been nominated for an Oscar by the time she crossed paths with Richard. Joan and Richard met on a blind date in Chicago in 1993. They had a very private wedding in 1996. One year after their marriage, the couple welcomed their first child, son, Dylan, in 1997. Three years later, in 2000, Joan and Richard completed their family by welcoming their second son, Miles. As the couple leads a very private life, not much is known about Joan's sons.
According to a report by Hello! Magazine, Joan's oldest son, Dylan, lent his voice to an episode of the children's cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, in 2011. That same year, in an interview with The Guardian, Joan mentioned she wants her kids to grow up seeing how important it is to be passionate about something. She wants them to draw inspiration from her passion for acting and to pursue their career paths with similar determination.
What are your thoughts on Joan Cusack and Richard Burke's private life away from the spotlight? Let us know.
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