Joan Hackett (March 1, 1934 – October 8, 1983) was an American-born actress who appeared on stage, in films, and on television.

Born in New York City of Irish and Italian extraction, her immigrant parents raised her Roman Catholic and sent her to Catholic schools, which she did not always attend punctually.

Hackett debuted with the role of Gail Prentiss in the TV series Young Doctor Malone in 1959. She had a leading role in The Twilight Zone episode "A Piano in the House" (1962). She had one of the starring roles in the 1966 Sidney Lumet film The Group along with Candice Bergen, Larry Hagman, Richard Mulligan, Joanna Pettet, and others.

One of the roles she's best remembered for, perhaps, is the role of Catherine Allen in the western Will Penny (1968) with Charlton Heston. Hackett also has a notable part in the classic Western comedy Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) with James Garner and the 1973 murder mystery The Last of Sheila. After this she primarily had parts in TV movies and on episodes of TV series.

Hackett won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1981 movie Only When I Laugh, the last movie she made before her death. She could also be seen in Paul Simon's film One Trick Pony.

From 1965 to 1973 she was married to the actor Richard Mulligan, who also appeared in the movie The Group.

Joan Hackett lost her battle against ovarian cancer at Encino Hospital in California in 1983 at the age of 49. Both of her parents had also died of cancer.

She is interred in Hollywood Forever (a.k.a., Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood Memorial Cemetery), Hollywood, California. On her crypt are the following words, which indicate the humor of this wonderful actress: "Go Away. I'm sleeping."

She always loved to sleep, and her tombstone carries an admonition not to wake her while she's getting her beauty sleep; "Go Away - I'm Asleep"

She won an Obie award in 1961 for "Call Me By My Rightful Name".

Interred at Hollywood Memorial Cemetery (now called Hollywood Forever), Hollywood, California, USA, in the Abbey of the Psalms, Sanctuary of Faith, 2nd from bottom, near the end of the hall.

Ravaged by cancer, a few weeks prior to her death, she checked herself out of the hospital to host a wedding party at her Beverly Hills home for Carrie Fisher and Paul Simon (I). Just a few days later, her condition rapidly deteriorated. She then spent her last few weeks at Encino Hospital under aggressive treatment. She lost her battle on October 8th 1983 (Sat) at 9:15 pm.

A firm believer in the paranormal, and while on location in Texas filming Harnessing the Sun (1980), she persuaded the film's director, Dirk Wayne Summers, to fly in a "clairvoyant-aura reader" to the location site. She then arranged for the entire crew to receive "extrasensory readings," with the 'clairvoyant' spending a week with the film's cast and crew. When Director Summers was questioned by a reporter from a Dallas newspaper as to "why he approved such unusual arrangements-- and did CBS know"? Summers answered, saying that "Joan Hackett is so great to work with and so perfect in her role, that I would have flown in Uri Geller if Joan had wanted him."

Filmed in 1980-1981, Harnessing the Sun (1980) was her last picture, although some films shot earlier (i.e., Only When I Laugh (1981)) were released after her final appearance in "Harnessing The Sun."

Daughter of Irish and Italian immigrant parents, and educated at Catholic schools in NYC.

Former sister-in-law of Robert Mulligan.

Was a dedicated social activist.

Was also a successful teenage model.