Zhanna Kuanysheva was born on April 4, 1958, in Alma-Ata. She studied at School No. 54 and was passionate about diving.

Her film career began in 1972 when director Serik Raybayev needed a skilled swimmer as a stunt double for the movie "Rain." Zhanna was chosen for the role.

Since 1975, she has acted in films produced by the Kazakhfilm studio. In 1983, she graduated from the Philological Faculty of KazGU named after Kirov.

She became a member of the Union of Cinematographers of the USSR in 1981. She is also a member of the expert council of Kazakhfilm Studio and the head of the "Film Actor" department at the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studio.