Joanne was born in New York and adopted at birth, subsequently raised in Northern New Jersey, just outside of New York City. During her early years, she demonstrated exceptional athleticism, showcasing her gymnastic abilities on the roof of her house, much to her parents' dismay. Later, in high school, she became a state-ranked athlete in track and field, a testament to her natural talent and dedication.
After completing her education at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where she studied Marine Science and Physics, Joanne decided to pursue a career in stunt performance. She relocated to Orlando, taking advantage of the city's thriving film industry, which offered actual working sound stages and frequent productions of television shows and movies. During her time in Orlando, Joanne worked as a "stunt / game safety" professional and even held the esteemed title of "Resident Mermaid" on Nickelodeon's popular program, GUTS.
In January 1994, Joanne made the bold move to California, only to be confronted with the devastating Northridge earthquake just four days later. The catastrophic event rendered it challenging to find safe housing, prompting Joanne to return to her roots in Northern New Jersey a few months later. There, she continued to pursue her stunt career in the New York City market.
A turning point in Joanne's career arrived when she met Danny Aiello III at a wrap party for a film. He kindly offered her a role on a show he was producing, and less than a week later, he extended an opportunity for her to join the Screen Actors Guild as a professional stunt performer. This marked the beginning of Joanne's successful career in the entertainment industry.
Today, Joanne still maintains a winter home in Florida, where she can indulge in her love of SCUBA diving, kayaking, and training with firearms. However, she remains primarily based in the NYC area, where she can continue to appreciate the city's vibrant theater scene. Joanne often remarks that if she had a natural talent that didn't involve gravity, she would have loved to perform in musical theater.
As an advocate, Joanne is dedicated to promoting adoptee rights to obtain original birth certificates and documents in closed record states, as well as supporting abused and neglected children.
