A slender and softly-featured actress, known for her work in both leading and supporting roles during the 1960s and 1970s, Hackett often portrayed characters that leaned away from the glamorous Hollywood ideal. Before stepping fully into the world of acting, she gained valuable experience as a model and trained under notable figures such as Lee Strasberg. Her early career saw a breakthrough off-Broadway, where her performance in Call Me by My Rightful Name (1961) earned her recognition and awards.
As her reputation grew, so did her presence on television. Hackett quickly became a familiar face, earning an Emmy nomination for her work in an episode of Ben Casey. She also appeared as Robert Reed’s love interest in the inaugural season of the widely-watched legal drama The Defenders, a show that helped solidify her status in the television landscape.
Her nuanced acting style, particularly her quiet intensity, made her a natural fit for more introspective roles. One such role came in 1962 when she portrayed the timid second Mrs. DeWinter in a TV adaptation of Rebecca, a performance that further showcased her emotional depth.
By 1964, Hackett had moved into leading roles, starring in two feature-length episodes of The Bob Hope Chrysler Theatre—Echo of Evil and The Highest Fall of All. These performances demonstrated her growing range and cemented her as a versatile presence in both television and film during a pivotal era in entertainment.
Joan Hackett is perhaps best known for her role in Will Penny (1968), which remains her highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, one of her less acclaimed works includes The Terminal Man (1974), which holds the distinction of being her lowest-rated movie. Throughout her career, Joan Hackett has been recognized for her performances in a variety of films, but these two titles stand out as the peaks and valleys of her filmography. While Will Penny showcased her talent in a more favorable light, The Terminal Man didn’t quite resonate with audiences or critics in the same way. Despite this, Joan Hackett’s contributions to cinema continue to be appreciated by fans and scholars alike.