DATE: Sunday, August 24, 1997               TAG: 9708220165

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E16  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   77 lines

FUNNY FACE GETS 1ST STARRING ROLE

SHE HAS that funny face. You look at it and you feel like laughing.

It has been both her blessing and her curse.

Joan Cusack was born into a theatrical family and was active in Chicago theater even before movies, but she watched as her brother, John, became a leading man while she kept getting supporting roles.

Her comedic range has gone from a Raggedy Ann doll opposite Robin Williams in ``Toys,'' to a seductive femme fatale in ``Addams Family Values'' and a supporting-actress Oscar nomination for playing an office secretary in ``Working Girl.''

Her role in the current ``A Smile Like Yours,'' though, may be her last supporting part. She has co-star billing in the upcoming comedy ``In and Out,'' playing the would-be bride of Oscar-winner Kevin Kline. It opens Sept. 19 and is already making ripples both for its daring and its laughs.

``My very first lead role in the movies!'' Cusack exclaimed as she tilted her head to the side and exuded that quirky little look that has stolen scenes from stars in some 20 supporting roles. ``I've had the leads in theater roles, but never in a film before. But to think, I lose the guy to Tom Selleck.''

Bemused, she adds, ``I don't even get to kiss the leading man - and it's my first leading woman role!''

``In and Out'' is the already-infamously famous ``coming out'' comedy in which Kline, as a middle-America high school teacher, is shocked when one of his former drama students (Matt Dillon) wins an Oscar and, in the acceptance speech, identifies the Kline character as being gay. The teacher, who is about to marry Cusack, expresses shock and indignation as the nation's press, including a TV newsman played by Selleck, descend on the town. But then . . . well, ``Entertainment Tonight'' (bless their over-anxious cameras) has already revealed that the movie contains a kissing scene between Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck.

Does Cusack feel left out? ``Well, my character does get a quite good-looking guy at the end of the movie, so I'm not upset, and, too, it's a great part. And I'm not telling who the guy is. It might be Kevin. Might be somebody else. Buy a ticket.''

On the personal side, she's not clear on whether she would declare her sexual preference if she were lesbian.

``With society the way it is, I'm not sure what I'd do,'' she said. ``America has always been the melting pot of the world. We were the country that became the symbol of freedom, but, yet, we still have prejudices, don't we? I'd have to think about it and what it would mean, personally and to my career.''

In ``A Smile Like Yours,'' which opened this week, she plays the good friend of a couple (Greg Kinnear and Lauren Holly) who are having trouble having a baby.

With her noticeable ability to steal scenes, does she have trouble getting employment opposite top stars?

``Not really,'' she said. ``I play the characters, that's all.''

Born near Chicago, she still calls that city home. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in English but also performed in a comedy improv group.

During the 1985-86 season, she was a regular on ``Saturday Night Live.'' Her movie debut was a bit part in ``My Bodyguard'' which led to things like ``My Blue Heaven'' (with Steve Martin), ``Nine Months,'' ``Broadcast News,'' ``Say Anything'' and dozens of others.

She beams when she's asked about her baby, Dylan, born just eight weeks ago. ``I've been up all night,'' she said, as if it were a matter of pride rather than discomfort. ``He's just so cuuuuuute.''

More than not getting kissed by the leading man in ``In and Out,'' she's mildly worried about what Barbra Streisand will think of a particularly blunt statement she makes in the movie.

``My character, finally disgusted with the way Kevin likes Barbra Streisand, says `Bleep Barbra Streisand.' I've never met Barbra, but I might now. She must know that some of her fans are pretty fanatic. I've loved her since `What's Up Doc?' - one of my favorite comedies. I hope she understands.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

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