Joey Lauren Adams (born January 9, 1968) is a distinguished American actress and director known for her distinct, unique voice. She launched her acting career in 1977 with a small role in Exorcist II: The Heretic and gradually landed larger roles that garnered her fame. She appeared in the widely-watched 100th episode of Married... with Children in 1991 and had her first major film role as Simone in Dazed and Confused in 1993. The same year, she was one of Connie Conehead's friends in the Saturday Night Live spinoff film Coneheads.

In the mid-90s, Adams began dating Kevin Smith while working in Mallrats, which Smith directed. The relationship inspired Smith's film Chasing Amy in which Adams played a significant role. Even though the pair ended their relationship, they remained on good terms and Adams continued being part of Smith's projects like Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and the short animated film, Clerks: The Lost Scene. However, it was through Chasing Amy that she won awards from the Chicago Film Critics and Las Vegas Film Critics Society for Most Promising Actress, and was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In addition to her acting accomplishments, Adams directed a film, Come Early Morning, in 2006, that featured stars like Ashley Judd and Diane Ladd and got selected for the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Given her unique and exceptional acting talent, Adams has contributed significantly to Hollywood and maintains a successful career.