Woodward, Joanne (1930-…), is an American motion-picture actress known for her sensitive and intelligent portrayals of women with strong or distinctive personalities. Woodward won the 1957 Academy Award as best actress for her performance in The Three Faces of Eve (1957). Woodward was married to actor Paul Newman from 1958 until his death in 2008. She co-starred with her husband in several films and acted in movies he directed.
Woodward was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on Feb. 27, 1930. She began acting on the stage in high school and while attending Louisiana State University. She moved to New York City to study acting. Woodward appeared in several television dramas before making her motion-picture debut in Count Three and Pray (1955).
Woodward’s other major films include No Down Payment (1957), The Long Hot Summer (1958), The Fugitive Kind (1959), From the Terrace (1960), The Stripper (1963), A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966), Rachel, Rachel (1968), Winning (1969), W.U.S.A. (1970), The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972), Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973), The Drowning Pool (1975), The Glass Menagerie (1987), Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990), and Philadelphia (1993). Woodward has also appeared in several movies made for television. Throughout her career, she has been active in supporting liberal social and political causes.
