Joan Tewkesbury (born April 8, 1936) is an American film and television director, screenwriter, producer and actress. She had a long association with the celebrated director Robert Altman, and wrote the screenplays for two of his films, Thieves Like Us (1974) and Nashville (1975). Nashville has been called "Altman's masterpiece",[2] and Tewkesbury's screenplay was widely honored including a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay. Beyond the work with Altman, Tewkesbury has directed and written many television movies and episodes for television series. Tewkesbury is the author of the novel, Ebba and the Green Dresses of Olivia Gomez in a Time of Conflict and War, Hand to Hand,2011.Joan TewkesburyBornJoan Frances Tewkesbury[1]April 8, 1936 (age 82)Redlands, California, USAOccupationFilm and television actress, director, and screenwriterTewkesbury was born in Redlands, California, the daughter of Frances M. (née Stevenson), a registered nurse, and Walter S. Tewkesbury, an office machine repairman.[3] She has lived in Tesuque, New Mexico since 2003.One of her early television acting roles was in a guest appearance on the short-lived NBC drama, It's a Man's World.