Gleason was born as Joanne Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the daughter of Marilyn (née Plottel), a producer, writer, and actress, and television personality Monty Hall.[1] At the time, her father worked at the Canadian Wheat Board and had changed his name from Halprin to Hall to sound better on the radio. He later started his TV career and went on to fame as host of Let's Make a Deal. Monty Hall's brother, Robert Halprin, also changed his name to Hall.
In May 1956 the Hall family moved to New York and, in the early 1960s, they again moved to Los Angeles, California. Gleason graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1968. While attending BHHS she was in the school's productions of The Music Man, The Mikado, The Grass Harp, and The Madwoman of Chaillot. In high school Gleason received acting instruction from John Ingle, the soap-opera star, who taught at BHHS from 1955 to 1985. She continued her education at UCLA, then Occidental College, from which she graduated. Gleason has been a teacher herself, holding classes and workshops all over the country.
Gleason has been married to actor Chris Sarandon since 1994. The two met while performing in Broadway’s 1991 short-lived musical Nick & Nora. They returned to the stage together in 1998's Thorn and Bloom and have also have collaborated together on several films including Road Ends, Edie and Pen, Let the Devil Wear Black, and American Perfekt.
Previously Joanna Gleason was married to acting coach Paul G. Gleason, whose last name she kept as her professional surname, and later to Michael Bennahum.
Gleason and Chris Sarandon have four children between them: Aaron David Gleason, from her first marriage, and Stephanie, Alexis, and Michael Sarandon, from Sarandon's second marriage.
Gleason's siblings are television writer/director, Sharon Hall Kessler, and Emmy-award winning television writer/director, Richard Hall.
Quick Info
Born Joanne Hall
June 2, 1950, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Occupation Actress, singer
Spouse(s)
In May 1956 the Hall family moved to New York and, in the early 1960s, they again moved to Los Angeles, California. Gleason graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1968. While attending BHHS she was in the school's productions of The Music Man, The Mikado, The Grass Harp, and The Madwoman of Chaillot. In high school Gleason received acting instruction from John Ingle, the soap-opera star, who taught at BHHS from 1955 to 1985. She continued her education at UCLA, then Occidental College, from which she graduated. Gleason has been a teacher herself, holding classes and workshops all over the country.
Gleason has been married to actor Chris Sarandon since 1994. The two met while performing in Broadway’s 1991 short-lived musical Nick & Nora. They returned to the stage together in 1998's Thorn and Bloom and have also have collaborated together on several films including Road Ends, Edie and Pen, Let the Devil Wear Black, and American Perfekt.
Previously Joanna Gleason was married to acting coach Paul G. Gleason, whose last name she kept as her professional surname, and later to Michael Bennahum.
Gleason and Chris Sarandon have four children between them: Aaron David Gleason, from her first marriage, and Stephanie, Alexis, and Michael Sarandon, from Sarandon's second marriage.
Gleason's siblings are television writer/director, Sharon Hall Kessler, and Emmy-award winning television writer/director, Richard Hall.
Quick Info
Born Joanne Hall
June 2, 1950, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Occupation Actress, singer
Spouse(s)
- Chris Sarandon (1994-present)
- Michael Bennahum (1984-1990)
- Paul G. Gleason (1975-1981
Comments