Allison Janney
{{Short description|American actress (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Allison Janney
| image = Allison Janney4crop.jpg
| caption = Janney in 2008
| birth_name = Allison Brooks Janney
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|11|19}}
| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
| education = {{hlist|Kenyon College|Royal Academy of Dramatic Art}}
| occupation = Actress
| partner = Richard Jenik (2002–2006)
| years_active = 1989–present
| awards = Full list
}}
Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959) is an American actress. Known for her performances across the screen and stage, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards.
Born in Boston and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Janney received a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London following her graduation from Kenyon College. After years of minor and uncredited film and television appearances, Janney's breakthrough came with the role of C. J. Cregg in the NBC political drama series The West Wing (1999–2006), for which she received four Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2014, for her guest role of Margaret Scully, a sexually repressed 1950s housewife on Showtime's period drama series Masters of Sex, she won a fifth Emmy. For her portrayal of Bonnie Plunkett, a cynical recovering addict on the CBS sitcom Mom (2013–2021), Janney won two more Emmys. In 2024, she guest starred in the Netflix drama series The Diplomat.
Janney made her professional stage debut with the Off-Broadway production Ladies (1989), and followed with numerous bit parts in various similar productions, before making her Broadway debut with the 1996 revival of Present Laughter. She won two Drama Desk Awards and has been nominated for two Tony Awards: for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the Broadway revival of A View from the Bridge (1997), and for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the original Broadway production of the musical 9 to 5 (2009).
Janney has also played character roles in various films, including Primary Colors (1998), American Beauty (1999), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Hours (2002), Juno (2007), Hairspray (2007), The Help (2011), Spy (2015), Bad Education (2019), and Bombshell (2019). For her portrayal of LaVona Golden in the film I, Tonya (2017), Janney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Early life and education
File:Ransom Hall, Kenyon College.jpg, which Janney attended]]
Allison Brooks Janney{{cite web |url=https://www.hotchkiss.org/post-page/~board/alumni-news/post/hotchkiss-honors-award-winning-actress-allison-brooks-janney-77-with-the-2016-alumni-award |title=Hotchkiss Honors Award-Winning Actress Allison Brooks Janney '77 with the 2016 Alumni Award|date=October 12, 2016 }} was born on November 19, 1959,{{cite web|url= https://www.biography.com/actor/allison-janney|title=Allison Janney Biography (1959–)|publisher=Biography.com| access-date=September 9, 2019| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20230426233517/https://www.biography.com/actors/allison-janney|archive-date =April 26, 2023 |date =April 29, 2020}} in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.Janney in {{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/media-centre/transcripts/bafta-a-life-in-pictures-allison-janney |title=A Life in Pictures: Allison Janney|publisher=BAFTA|date=December 14, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2019|archive-date=September 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909152930/http://www.bafta.org/media-centre/transcripts/bafta-a-life-in-pictures-allison-janney|url-status=bot: unknown|quote=I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, with two brothers and a lot of animals.}} Note: Sources including [https://www.biography.com/actor/allison-janney Biography.com], [https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/allison-janney/bio/139219/ TVGuide.com], and The Broadway League's [https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/allison-janney-46839 Internet Broadway Database] list birthplace as Dayton, Ohio. She is the daughter of Macy Brooks Janney (née Putnam), a former actress, and Jervis Spencer Janney Jr., a real estate developer and jazz musician.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/12/15/archives/macy-b-putnam-engaged-to-wed-bennett-alumna-is-fiancee-of-jervis-s.html|title=Macy B. Putnam Engaged to Wed; Bennett Alumna Is Fiancee of Jervis S. Janney Jr., a Graduate of Princeton|date=December 15, 1956|work=The New York Times}} Photo caption: "Miss Macy Brooks Putnam". {{subscription required}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dayton.com/lifestyles/what-macy-janney-has-say-about-her-famous-daughter-big-oscar-night/AMVeklpAdoJTFZplLn5Y7K/ |title=What Macy Janney has to say about her famous daughter's big Oscar night}} She has an older brother, Jay, and had a younger brother, Hal (1961–2011).{{cite web|title=Allison Janney Biography |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/allison-janney/bio/139219/ |work=TV Guide|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730083524/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/allison-janney/bio/139219/|archive-date=July 30, 2016|access-date=September 8, 2019}} Hal, who had battled depression and addiction for many years, committed suicide in 2011 at the age of 49.{{Cite web|title=My World Turned Upside Down: Actress Allison Janney Recalls a Tragic Demise of Her Brother Who Took His Own Life |url=https://fabiosa.com/amp/ctent-rsafr-auvkl-pbtzh-phpvg-my-world-turned-upside-down-actress-allison-janney-recalls-passing-of-her-brother/|access-date=February 13, 2022|website=fabiosa.com|archive-date=February 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213024300/https://fabiosa.com/amp/ctent-rsafr-auvkl-pbtzh-phpvg-my-world-turned-upside-down-actress-allison-janney-recalls-passing-of-her-brother/|url-status=dead}}
Janney is a descendant of Stephen Hopkins through his daughter Constance Hopkins, both of whom came to the New World on the Mayflower, as she recounted on a 2022 episode of Who Do You Think You Are?.{{Cite web |title=Allison Janney: Connecting to Famous Family One Step at a Time |url=https://www.ancestry.com/corporate/blog/allison-janney-connecting-famous-family-one-step-time |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230111231041/https://www.ancestry.com/corporate/blog/allison-janney-connecting-famous-family-one-step-time |archive-date=2023-01-11 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=www.ancestry.com |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFiQgmdelnM |title=Allison Janney uncovers the truth about her family's journey aboard the Mayflower... |date=2023-06-18 |last=Who Do You Think You Are? |access-date=2025-02-24 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |last=Harbert |first=Rich |title='West Wing' star Allison Janney visits Plymouth for NBC's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' |url=https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/old-colony-memorial/2022/07/22/allison-janney-west-wing-star-plymouth-trace-mayflower-roots-who-do-you-think-you-are-pilgrim-hall/10126110002/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Wicked Local |language=en-US}}
She attended the Miami Valley School in Dayton, where she was named a distinguished alumna in 2005,{{cite web|url=https://www.mvschool.com/alumni/awards-honors|title=The Miami Valley School - Awards & Honors - Distinguished Alumni Award|work=The Miami Valley School |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141628/https://www.mvschool.com/alumni/awards-honors|archive-date=August 31, 2018|access-date=August 31, 2018|url-status=dead}} and the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, where she was named Alumna of the Year in 2016. Janney initially aspired to a career in figure skating, but her height of 6 ft (183cm) and a freak accident when she was a teenager put an end to that dream.{{cite web |last=Marotta |first=Jenna |date=December 8, 2017 |title='I, Tonya': Allison Janney on the Frightening Injury That Turned Her from Iceskating to Acting |url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/industry/i-tonya-allison-janney-iceskating-injury-acting-career-1201904736/ |publisher=IndieWire}}
She attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she majored in theatre. During her freshman year, Janney met actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward at a play for the inaugural event of the college's newly built Bolton Theater, which Newman was directing. The couple encouraged her to continue acting and offered her guidance during the early days in her career.{{cite web |last=Espinoza |first=Russ |date=February 18, 2018 |title=Why Allison Janney Never Cashed In Her Favor From Paul Newman |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/russespinoza/2018/02/18/why-oscar-nominee-allison-janney-never-cashed-in-her-favor-from-paul-newman/ |work=Forbes}} She went on to train at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York and then received a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in mid-1984.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jan/26/television|title=How about that?|work= The Guardian|date=January 26, 2008}}{{cite web |title=American Theatre Wing - Downstage Center - Allison Janney - August, 2009 |url=http://americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/detail/allison_janney |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511113648/http://americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/detail/allison_janney |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 20, 2013}}
Career
= 1989–1998: Early roles and Broadway debut =
Janney's first role on television was in the short-lived black-and-white faux-1940s comedy Morton & Hayes.{{Cite magazine |last=Liebenson |first=Donald |date=December 4, 2017 |title=Kevin Pollak Can Handle the Truth About A Few Good Men |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/a-few-good-men-anniversary-25-years-kevin-pollak-tom-cruise |access-date=November 9, 2024 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}} She moved on to soap operas; she played the short-term role of Vi Kaminski on As the World Turns, and then played the recurring role of Ginger, one of the Spaulding maids, on Guiding Light for nearly two years.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Will |date=August 9, 2011 |title=Allison Janney |url=https://www.avclub.com/allison-janney-1798226895 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829121850/https://www.avclub.com/allison-janney-1798226895 |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |website=AV Club |language=en-US}} In the spring of 1994, she appeared in the season-four finale of Law & Order, titled "Old Friends", as a reluctant witness against a member of the Russian mob.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2015 |title=Happy 25th Anniversary, 'Law & Order'! Our 25 Favorite Before-They-Were-Stars 'L&O' Guest Stars |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/-law-order-our-25-c1441998289176.html |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Reinstein |first=Mara |date=February 24, 2022 |title=The 50 Best Episodes of 'Law & Order' |url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2022/2/24/22947581/law-and-order-50-best-episodes-ranking |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=The Ringer |language=en}} She was also a cast member on the radio show A Prairie Home Companion. Janney made her professional stage debut in 1989 with an uncredited part in the Off-Broadway production Ladies.{{Cite news |date=August 16, 2017 |title=EMMYS 2017: Did You Know Paul Newman Got Allison Janney Her Acting Start? |url=https://playbill.com/article/emmys-2017-did-you-know-paul-newman-got-allison-janney-her-acting-start |work=Playbill}} Following minor roles in similar productions like; Prescribed Laughter In The Emergency Café, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress and Blue Window.{{Cite web |title=Allison Janney theatre profile |url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/281104-allison-janney |access-date=November 16, 2024 |website=AboutTheArtists.com}}{{Cite web |title=Allison Janney – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/allison-janney-46839 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120092944/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/allison-janney-46839 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |website=Internet Broadway Database}}{{Cite web |last=Gerard |first=Jeremy |date=February 6, 1996 |title=Blue Window |url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/blue-window-1200445098/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918075709/https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/blue-window-1200445098/ |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |access-date=November 16, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Janney made her Broadway debut with the 1996 revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter. She played Liz Essendine, the estranged wife of the lead character (played by Frank Langella). Although a minor role, her performance garnered praise and attention with The New York Times calling it "The most fully accomplished performance on the stage".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/19/theater/beyond-those-satin-innuendoes.html|title=Beyond Those Satin Innuendoes|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 19, 1996|last1=Brantley|first1=Ben}} For her performance in the play, Janney won the Theatre World Award, Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Female, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play and received a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.{{Cite web |title=Clarence Derwent Award |url=https://www.actorsequityfoundation.org/clarence-derwent-award |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709114608/https://www.actorsequityfoundation.org/clarence-derwent-award |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=Actors' Equity Foundation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Allison Janney (Performer) |url=https://playbill.com/person/allison-janney-vault-0000037777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110072911/https://playbill.com/person/allison-janney-vault-0000037777 |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=Playbill}} Janney made her film debut with a minor part in Who Shot Pat? (1989).{{Cite news |last=Gilbey |first=Ryan |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Sandra Bullock's top 20 films – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/07/sandra-bullocks-top-20-films-ranked |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220220913/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jul/07/sandra-bullocks-top-20-films-ranked |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} This was followed by a series of minor roles in numerous films throughout the 1990s, including; Wolf (1994), Big Night (1996), Private Parts (1997), The Ice Storm (1997), The Object of My Affection (1998), The Impostors (1998), Primary Colors (1998), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), and American Beauty (1999).{{Cite web |last=Siegler |first=Bonnie |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Allison Janney: Read About the Life of the Award-Winning Powerhouse Actress |url=https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/tv-shows/allison-janney-movies-and-tv-shows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923000632/https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/tv-shows/allison-janney-movies-and-tv-shows |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=Woman's World |language=en-US}}
Janney starred in the Roundabout Theatre Company's 1998 revival of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge to positive reviews.[https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/a-view-from-the-bridge-tense-searing-take-on-outsiders-anguish/news-story/4cb75e01494e97667804d53bd78e07d4 "A View from the Bridge: Tense, searing take on outsiders' anguish"], The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, October 26, 2017{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/1997/12/lapaglias-triumphs-in-a-view-from-the-bridge/|title=LaPaglia's Triumphs In A View From the Bridge|date=December 29, 1997|publisher=The Observer}} Janney starred opposite Anthony LaPaglia, Stephen Spinella, and Brittany Murphy. Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Janney writing, "Allison Janney is splendid as Beatrice, a loving, patient woman of backbone who looks on helplessly but not quietly as her husband heads into the darkness".{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/04/theater/sunday-view-a-classically-riveting-view-from-the-bridge.html|title= SUNDAY VIEW; A Classically Riveting 'View From the Bridge'|work= The New York Times|date= January 4, 1998|accessdate= September 18, 2023|last1= Canby|first1= Vincent}} Charles Isherwood of Variety agreed describing her performance as "affecting".{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/1998/legit/reviews/a-view-from-the-bridge-3-1200454793/|title= A View From the Bridge|website= Variety|date= August 5, 1998|accessdate= September 18, 2023}} For her performance, Janney won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play, and received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.{{Cite news |date=February 21, 2018 |title=Tony and Oscar Nominee Allison Janney Talks About Penning a Potential Oscar Win Speech |url=https://playbill.com/article/tony-and-oscar-nominee-allison-janney-talks-about-penning-a-potential-oscar-win-speech |work=playbill.com}}
= 1999–2006: ''The West Wing'' and acclaim =
After a decade of small and uncredited parts, Janney had her breakthrough when she was cast as White House Press Secretary C. J. Cregg in the NBC political drama The West Wing. Creator Aaron Sorkin called Janney to audition for the role after seeing her in the film Primary Colors.{{cite news|url=https://thegentlewoman.co.uk/library/allison-janney|title=Allison Janney: Her time is now – the unerring ascent of Hollywood's towering talent.|newspaper=The Gentlewoman|date=January 18, 2018|last1=Friedman|first1=Ann}} Loosely based on Dee Dee Myers, the press secretary during Clinton administration, C. J. is a National Merit Scholar who ultimately succeeds Leo McGarry as White House Chief of Staff.{{Cite news |date=2008-01-26 |title=How about that? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jan/26/television |access-date=2025-03-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Writing for The Atlantic, John Reid says that "her capability and combination of strength and simple compassion represented the fantasy of the Bartlet White House better than anyone." The publication also ranks her as the best character from the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/09/a-definitive-ranking-of-every-character-on-the-west-wing/380098/|title=A Definitive Ranking of Every Character on The West Wing|work=theatlantic.com|last=Reid|first=John|date=September 12, 2014|access-date=July 6, 2016}} In their ranking of the best characters from all the television series created by Sorkin, Vulture, ranks C. J. at No. 2 and says; "If all the Sorkin women were as classy, self-assured, and legitimately funny (the turkey pardon!) as C. J., we'd never have had the Sorkin woman argument in the first place".{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/06/vulture-ranks-the-sorkin-television-characters.html|title=From Sports Night to Studio 60: Vulture Ranks Aaron Sorkin's TV Characters|work=vulture.com|last=Lyons|first=Margaret|date=June 22, 2012|access-date=July 6, 2016}} For her portrayal of C. J. Cregg, Janney won four Primetime Emmy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Award, a Satellite Award and four nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, making her the most awarded cast member of the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/interviews/amp13967/allison-janney-profile/|title=Allison Janney Just Keeps Getting Better|work=elle.com|last=Bullock|first=Maggie|date=January 14, 2014|access-date=July 6, 2016}} For the last of these she won the Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
She also appeared in Nurse Betty (2000), The Hours (2002), Finding Nemo (2003), How to Deal (2003), The Chumscrubber (2005), Winter Solstice (2004), and Our Very Own (2005).{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2024 |title=The Diplomat star Allison Janney's love life explored |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/728165/the-diplomat-allison-janney-love-life/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=HELLO! |language=en}} For the last of these, she received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female. During this time Janney guest starred on the sitcom Frasier in the 2002 episode "Three Blind Dates".{{Cite web |title=Frasier: Season 9, Episode 17 {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/frasier/s09/e17 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}
= 2007–2016: Established actor =
Janney appeared in the short-lived Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2007) as a guest.{{Cite web |title=How to Watch Matthew Perry's Movies and TV Shows: From 'Friends' to 'Fools Rush In' |url=https://people.com/how-to-watch-matthew-perry-movies-tv-shows-8386157 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=People.com |language=en}} In 2010, Janney appeared as Allison Pearson in In Plain Sight.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0935095/characters/nm0005049 |title=In Plain Sight (TV Series 2008–2012) - Allison Janney as Allison Pearson - IMDb |access-date=November 17, 2024 |via=IMDb.com}} In May 2010, she appeared in the antepenultimate episode of the ABC television series Lost as the adoptive mother of the show's two mythological opponents, Jacob and The Man in Black.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/characters/nm0005049 |title=Lost (TV Series 2004–2010) - Allison Janney as Mother - IMDb |access-date=November 17, 2024 |via=IMDB.com}} She starred in the ABC network comedy Mr. Sunshine. The series, which was created by Matthew Perry, was a mid-season replacement for the 2010–11 television season.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i3602f61793f3cd8856ce093985a11040 |title=Matthew Perry project a go at ABC |date=January 12, 2010 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115084541/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i3602f61793f3cd8856ce093985a11040 |archive-date=January 15, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/abc-2010-fall-schedule.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520014127/http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/abc-2010-fall-schedule.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 20, 2010 |title=ABC's new fall schedule |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=May 18, 2010 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 18, 2010}}
In 2007, Janney starred in Jason Reitman's comedy-drama Juno, playing Bren MacGuff, the titular character's stepmother. In the same year, she appeared in the musical Hairspray, and won the Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Acting Ensemble.{{cite web|url=https://austinfilmcritics.org/2007-awards-bf9fcbbe2abf|title=2007 Awards|website=austinfilmcritics.org|date=December 7, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/2008-sag-award-nominees-1117979562/|title=2008 SAG Award nominees|website=variety.com|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/01/07/winners-at-the-critics-choice-awards/|title=Winners at the Critics' Choice Awards|website=denverpost.com|date=January 13, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2018}} In 2010, Janney earned praise for her performance in Todd Solondz's comedy-drama Life During Wartime.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/apr/22/life-during-wartime-review|title=Life During Wartime|website=theguardian.com|date=April 22, 2010|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cite magazine |last=Corliss |first=Richard |date=April 22, 2010 |title=Life During Wartime: The Year's Best Indie Film |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2006407,00.html |access-date=June 20, 2018 |magazine=Time}} In 2009, Janney starred in the musical 9 to 5 alongside Stephanie J. Block and Megan Hilty.{{cite news|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110626.html |title=Dolly Parton Says 9 to 5 Will Play Broadway in 2009 |publisher=Playbill |author=Jones, Kenneth |date=August 29, 2007 |access-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125022043/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110626.html |archive-date=January 25, 2008 |url-status=dead}} Her performance garnered positive reviews,{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2009/legit/columns/janney-a-show-stealer-in-9-to-5-1118003169/|title=Janney a show-stealer in '9 to 5'|author=Liz Smith|work=Variety|date=May 5, 2009}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01nine.html|title=Sisterhood vs. Boss, on a New Battlefield|author=Ben Brantley|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 6, 2009}} and Janney earned the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Brian |date=May 17, 2009 |title=Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards {{!}} TheaterMania |url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/billy-elliot-leads-winners-of-2009-drama-desk-awar_18833.html |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Theatermania |language=en-US}}
File:AllisonJanneyTIFFSept2011.jpg at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival]]
In 2011, Janney appeared in Tate Taylor's period drama The Help alongside Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Mary Steenburgen and others. She won the Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9012143/Critics-Choice-Awards-2012-List-of-winners.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9012143/Critics-Choice-Awards-2012-List-of-winners.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Critics' Choice Awards 2012: List of winners|website=telegraph.co.uk|date=January 13, 2012|access-date=June 20, 2018}}{{cbignore}} The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2014 |title=The 84th Academy Awards {{!}} 2012 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2012 |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=www.oscars.org |language=en}} She also appeared in the drama Margaret (2011), the coming-of-age comedy Struck by Lightning (2012), and the comedy Liberal Arts (2012).{{cn|date=November 2024}}
Following few short-lived shows and a brief sabbatical from television, Janney returned to the small screen with the CBS sitcom Mom, which ran from 2013 until 2021.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2013 |title=Allison Janney is a comedy buff at home in 'Mom' |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/11/22/allison-janney-is-a-comedy-buff-at-home-in-mom/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}} Janney played Bonnie Plunkett, a self-centered, cynical recovering addict who tries to regain the love and trust of her daughter (played by Anna Faris). She was influenced to take on the role following the death of her younger brother from drug addiction, as well as her longtime desire to work on multicam comedy.{{cite news|url=https://www.fabiosa.com/amp/ctent-rsafr-auvkl-pbtzh-phpvg-my-world-turned-upside-down-actress-allison-janney-recalls-passing-of-her-brother/|title=My World Turned Upside Down: Actress Allison Janney Recalls A Tragic Demise Of Her Brother Who Took His Own Life|newspaper=Fabiosa|date=September 2019|last1=Pollard|first1=Olivia}} For her performance on the series, Janney garnered critical acclaim and six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning twice as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also received six nominations at the Critics' Choice Television Awards winning twice for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[https://www.emmys.com/bios/allison-janney "Allison Janney Emmy"] emmys.com, retrieved May 9, 2019 From 2014 to 2016, Janney guest-starred in Showtime's period drama Masters of Sex, portraying a sexually repressed homemaker in 1950s who struggles to understand the disintegration of her marriage.{{cite web|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/allison-janney-masters-of-sex|title=AGENT SCULLY|work=Interview|date=December 11, 2013|access-date=April 8, 2018}}{{cite web|date=September 2016|title=Emmy episode analysis: Allison Janney shows her versatility with third nomination for 'Masters of Sex'|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2016/emmy-episode-analysis-allison-janney-masters-of-sex-matters-of-gravity-news-1357924680/|publisher=Gold Derby}} Her performance received praise with Janney receiving three consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series winning one in 2014, and winning the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series.
Janney later acted in the summer comedy The Way Way Back (2013), the spy comedy Spy (2015), the high school teen comedy The DUFF (2015), the fantasy film Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016), the comedy-drama Tallulah (2016), and psychological mystery thriller The Girl on the Train (2016).{{cite web |last=Barton |first=Steve |date=March 5, 2015 |title=Allison Janney Heads to Therapy in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/92192/allison-janney-heads-therapy-miss-peregrines-home-peculiar-children/ |work=Dread Central}}{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Allison Janney Boards 'Girl on the Train' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/allison-janney-girl-on-the-train-1201629291/|access-date=January 16, 2017|work=Variety|date=October 28, 2015}} She voiced Julia in The Simpsons episode "Friends and Family" (2016){{cn|date=November 2024}} and acted as herself in the IFC sketch series Comedy Bang! Bang! episode "Allison Janney Wears a Chambray Western Shirt and Suede Fringe Boots".{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2018 |title='Mom' Team Reflects on Centering a Sitcom on Women in Recovery |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/features/mom-road-to-100-episodes-chuck-lorre-allison-janney-anna-faris-interview-1202676844/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
= 2017–present: Career expansion and continued acclaim =
File:Allison Janney 2019.jpg at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.]]
In 2017, Janney returned to Broadway with the revival of John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation in the role of Ouisa Kittredge.{{Cite web |last=Lefkowitz |first=Andy |date=April 5, 2017 |title=Allison Janney and John Benjamin Hickey Return to Broadway as Six Degrees of Separation Begins |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/188078/allison-janney-and-john-benjamin-hickey-return-to-broadway-as-six-degrees-of-separation-begins/ |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-16 |title=Six Degrees Of Separation on Broadway - Official Website |url=https://sixdegreesbroadway.com/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616194251/https://sixdegreesbroadway.com/ |archive-date=June 16, 2017 }} Marilyn Stasio of Variety praised Janney's performance writing, "[Her] wicked, smart delivery is perfect for Guare's witty dialogue."{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/six-degrees-of-separation-review-allison-janney-broadway-1202395130/|title= Broadway Review: Allison Janney in 'Six Degrees of Separation'
|website= Variety|date= April 26, 2017
|accessdate= September 18, 2023}} David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter concurred writing, "I found I couldn't take my eyes off her...she looks spectacular in costumer Clint Ramos' sleek socialite outfits, and she nails both the initial poise and the despairing needed [for the role]".{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/six-degrees-separation-theater-review-997204/|title= 'Six Degrees of Separation': Theater Review|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= April 25, 2017|accessdate= September 18, 2023}} Janney received nominations for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play, Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance and won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
In 2017, Janney starred in Craig Gillespie's black comedy I, Tonya, based on the life of figure skater Tonya Harding.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Allison Janney to Play Tonya Harding's Mother in 'I, Tonya' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/allison-janney-tonya-hardings-eccentric-mother-in-i-tonya-1201943561/|date=December 15, 2016|work=Variety|access-date=January 16, 2017}} Screenwriter Steven Rogers wrote the role of LaVona specifically for Janney and refused to sell his screenplay until Janney was cast in the film. Janney would consider the part as one of the most challenging of her career.{{cite interview|last1=Robbie|first1=Margot|last2=Rogers|first2=Steven|last3=Gillespie|first3=Craig|last4=Janney|first4=Allison|display-authors=etal|title=Conversations with I, Tonya [Cast and Crew]|date=December 5, 2017|access-date=December 23, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqysxfvC94A| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/qqysxfvC94A| archive-date=October 29, 2021|work=SAG-AFTRA Foundation|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Janney's performance received widespread acclaim with Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post writing: 'Janney steals every scene she's in, playing LaVona, a harridan whose nodding goes beyond tough love.' She earned numerous accolades for her performance in the film including the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, Independent Spirit Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/allison-janney-wins-oscar-best-supporting-actress-1202716076/|title=Allison Janney on Oscar Win: 'I Did It All by Myself'|date=March 5, 2018|publisher=Variety}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/allison-janney-wins-golden-globe-best-supporting-actress-film-1202656358/|title=Allison Janney Thanks Tonya Harding During Golden Globes Win|date=January 8, 2018|publisher=Variety|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
Janney appeared as herself, in a 2019 episode of the second season of the Netflix series The Kominsky Method.[https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1744736/the-kominsky-method-2x08-chapter-16-a-thetan-arrives Chapter 16. A Thetan Arrives - The Kominsky Method S02E08 | TVmaze][https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10021218/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2 "The Kominsky Method" Chapter 16. A Thetan Arrives (TV Episode 2019) - IMDb] On the Disney Channel animated show Phineas and Ferb, Janney voiced Dr. Doofenshmirtz's ex-wife, Charlene. Janney appeared in five films in 2019. She had cameo appearances in the family comedy Troop Zero, the psychological thriller Ma, and Bombshell. For the last of these she received nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics' Choice Movie Award Best Acting Ensemble.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/allison-janney-jim-gaffigan-amazon-film-troupe-zero-1202372890/|title=Allison Janney & Jim Gaffigan To Co-Star In Amazon's 'Troupe Zero'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=April 24, 2018|access-date=September 19, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=Allison Janney To Play Attorney Susan Estrich In Annapurna's Movie About The Roger Ailes Fox News Harassment Scandal |url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/allison-janney-susan-estrich-fox-news-roger-ailes-movie-1202468190/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=September 20, 2018 |date=September 20, 2018}} Janney also voiced Margaux Needler in the animated version of The Addams Family.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 5, 2018 |title='Addams Family' Movie Scares Up Charlize Theron, Bette Midler, Allison Janney & More For Voice Cast |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/charlize-theron-addams-family-cast-bette-midler-allison-janney-1202403723/ |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2020/04/the-addams-family-movie-box-office-profit-2019-charlize-theron-oscar-isaac-1202907354/ |title= 'The Addams Family' Snaps To No. 20 On Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament |first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 13, 2020|access-date=April 14, 2020}}{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_addams_family_2019 |title=The Addams Family (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=February 20, 2020}} Janney also appeared in Bad Education and Tate Taylor's comedy-drama Breaking News in Yuba County.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/allison-janney-hugh-jackman-bad-education-1202848672/|title=Film News Roundup: Allison Janney Joins Hugh Jackman in 'Bad Education'|website=Variety|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=October 1, 2018}} She also had the title role in J. J. Abrams's thriller Lou.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=November 5, 2018 |title=Allison Janney to Star in Bad Robot Thriller 'Lou' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/allison-janney-star-bad-robot-thriller-lou-1158171/ |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} In 2022, Janney appeared in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? in which she learned she was descended from Stephen Hopkins, one of the settlers on the Mayflower.{{cite episode|title=Allison Janney|series=Who Do You Think You Are?|network=NBC|air-date=July 24, 2022|season=12|number=3}} Janney subsequently appeared in the romantic comedy film The People We Hate at the Wedding (2022), and the science fiction film The Creator (2023).{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/allison-janney-john-david-washington-gareth-edwards-new-regencys-1234906384/|title=Allison Janney Joins John David Washington In Gareth Edwards' 'True Love' At New Regency|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=January 7, 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood}}
In 2024, Janney began portraying Evelyn Rollins, a socialite in the 1950s in Apple TV+'s period comedy series Palm Royale.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Victoria |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Allison Janney teases huge drama in her glamourous new show Palm Royale |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/features/allison-janney-teases-huge-drama-in-her-glamourous-new-show-palm-royale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904153107/https://www.whattowatch.com/features/allison-janney-teases-huge-drama-in-her-glamourous-new-show-palm-royale |archive-date=September 4, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=What to Watch |language=en}} The same year she guest starred in the final season of the sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm.{{Cite web |last=Bojalad |first=Alec |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Every Curb Your Enthusiasm Finale Guest Star: Allison Janney, Greg Kinnear, and More |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/every-curb-your-enthusiasm-finale-guest-star-allison-janney-greg-kinnear-and-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529125814/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/every-curb-your-enthusiasm-finale-guest-star-allison-janney-greg-kinnear-and-more/ |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}} In 2024, Janney began starring in Netflix's political drama The Diplomat as Vice President of the United States Grace Penn. Her first foray into the genre since The West Wing, Janney's performance garnered critical acclaim and nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards with Rolling Stone ranking her performance amongst "The 10 Best TV Performances of 2024".{{cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-performances-2024-1235192685/|title=The 10 Best TV Performances of 2024|date=December 10, 2024|publisher=Rolling Stone}}
Janney will appear in the films Another Simple Favor{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/simple-favor-2-cast-allison-janney-1235955424/|title=A Simple Favor 2' Adds Allison Janney|date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=Variety}} and Everything's Going to Be Great.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Bryan Cranston, Allison Janney, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth & Jack Champion Set For Jon S. Baird Film 'Everything's Going To Be Great' From eOne, Astute Films |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/bryan-cranston-allison-janney-join-everythings-going-to-be-great-movie-1235333106/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307191129/https://deadline.com/2023/04/bryan-cranston-allison-janney-join-everythings-going-to-be-great-movie-1235333106/ |archive-date=March 7, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} File:Allison-Janney in 2014.jpg
Personal life
Janney has never been married and has no children, of which she said: "I've never had that instinct to have kids, I'm at peace with it".{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/allison-janney-im-at-peace-with-not-having-kids-60602388/|title=Allison Janney: 'I'm at peace with not having kids'|website=Hollywood.com|date=July 6, 2016|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}} She was romantically involved with computer programmer Dennis Gagomiros. The couple began dating in 1994, and were interested in getting married but ended their relationship after seven years together in 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.people.com/archive/taking-wing-vol-53-no-13/%3famp=true|title=Taking Wing|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}} In 2002, she met actor Richard Jenik (her co-star in Our Very Own). The couple got engaged in 2004 but broke up two years later in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a19932418/allison-janney-interview/|title=A Conversation with Allison Janney|website=womenshealthmag.com|date=November 14, 2005|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.people.com/celebrity/allison-janney-still-on-wedding-track/%3famp=true|title=Allison Janney Still on Wedding Track|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}} In 2012, Janney met production manager Philip Joncas. The two met on the set of The Way, Way Back and began dating soon after. The couple dated for five years before ending their relationship in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-did-allison-janney-her-boyfriend-meet-philip-joncas-has-been-in-her-life-for-a-while-8261488|title=How Did Allison Janney & Her Boyfriend Meet? Philip Joncas Has Been In Her Life For A While|website=bustle.com|date=March 4, 2018 |language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.factsninja.com/philip-joncas-meet-allison-janneys-media-shy-boyfriend.html|title=Philip Joncas: Meet Allison Janney's Media-Shy Boyfriend|website=factsninja.com|language=en|access-date=January 15, 2019}}
In interviews related to her role on Mom, Janney discussed her brother, Hal, who fought drug addiction for years before his suicide. She has credited playing her character on Mom to people fighting addiction.{{cite web|url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a12261/allison-janney-quotes-0112/|title=Alison Janney: What I've Learned|work=Esquire|last=Fussman|first=Calt|date=January 4, 2012|access-date=July 6, 2016}} On March 4, 2018, Janney dedicated her Academy Award win to him during her acceptance speech.{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Joi-Marie |date=March 4, 2018 |title=Allison Janney dedicates Oscar win to her late brother |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/allison-janney-dedicates-oscar-late-brother-hal-janney-53514286 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Good Morning America |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2018/03/allison-janney-family-parents-husband-married/|title=Allison Janney's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|first=Jessica|last=McBride|date=March 4, 2018|website=Heavy.com}}
In 2004, she began lending her voice to television and radio spots created by Kaiser Permanente in the health maintenance organization's broad "Thrive" media campaign, and in a radio campaign for the American Institute of Architects.[http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/a-breath-of-fresh-air-for-health-care "A Breath of Fresh Air for Health Care"], opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com; December 13, 2009. In September 2010, it was announced that Janney would be the voice of the Aly San San spokesdroid in the Disney attraction Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.{{cite web |date=September 24, 2010 |title=Allison Janney Joining New Star Tours plus AC-38 Droid to Pilot Starspeeder 1000 in 2011 |url=http://www.mouseinfo.com/forums/disney-parks-scoop/92758-allison-janney-joining-new-star-tours-plus-ac-38-droid-pilot-starspeeder-1000-next-year.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928105524/http://www.mouseinfo.com/forums/disney-parks-scoop/92758-allison-janney-joining-new-star-tours-plus-ac-38-droid-pilot-starspeeder-1000-next-year.html |archive-date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2010}} The attraction later opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. In October 2016, Janney became the first woman to receive the Alumni Award of The Hotchkiss School{{cite web |title=Alumni Award |url=http://www.hotchkiss.org/alumni/notable-alumni-and-awards/alumni-award/~post/2016-alumni-award |access-date=February 15, 2017 |publisher=The Hotchkiss School}} and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her work in the entertainment industry, located at 6100 Hollywood Boulevard.{{cite web |title=Allison Janney {{!}} Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=http://www.walkoffame.com/allison-janney |access-date=October 26, 2016 |website=www.walkoffame.com}}{{cite web |date=October 17, 2016 |title='Mom' actress Allison Janney receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-allison-janney-walk-of-fame-20161017-snap-story.html |access-date=October 26, 2016 |website=Los Angeles Times}}
Activism
Janney has campaigned for numerous issues like women's rights, LGBTQ rights, mental health, animal rights, and addiction recovery. In 2018, Janney participated in the 2018 Women's March in Los Angeles, part of a larger national movement for women's rights, human rights, and social justice.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/womens-march-la-star-natalie-portman-1202667665/|title=Natalie Portman, Allison Janney, Viola Davis Join Women's March Los Angeles Lineup|date=January 18, 2018|publisher=Variety}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/95719106-132.html|title=Allison Janney talks the Women's March on the 2018 SAG Awards red carpet|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517102131/https://www.latimes.com/95719106-132.html|url-status=dead}} She supports various charities including American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and GLAAD.{{cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/allison-janney|title=Allison Janney Charity Work, Events and Causes|publisher=Look to the Stars}}
In 2016, Janney was honored at the White House at the event "Champions of Change", which honored 10 accomplished individuals from across the country who were being recognized for advancing addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. She also participated in a panel discussion with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to talk about the portrayal of addiction and recovery in the media.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/02/11/when-the-u-s-surgeon-general-met-the-cast-of-mom/%3foutputType=amp|title=When the U.S. surgeon general met the cast of 'Mom'|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201054534/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/02/11/when-the-u-s-surgeon-general-met-the-cast-of-mom/%3foutputType=amp|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/mom/news/1005182/allison-janney-delivers-important-message-about-addiction-at-the-white-house/|title=Allison Janney Delivers Important Message About Addiction At The White House|publisher=CBS}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/west-wing-meets-white-house-888860|title='West Wing' Meets White House: Allison Janney Greets Reporters in Press Room|date=April 29, 2016|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}} In 2017, Janney donated $250,000 to Planned Parenthood.{{cite web|url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/mom-star-allison-janney-visits-donates-to-planned-parenthood/amp/|title='Mom' Star Allison Janney Visits, Donates To Planned Parenthood|website=sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725035756/https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/06/06/mom-star-allison-janney-visits-donates-to-planned-parenthood/amp/|url-status=dead}} In 2020 with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Janney donated $10,000 to the Dayton Foodbank, an organization providing food to the homeless.{{cite web|url=https://dayton247now.com/newsletter-daily/actress-allison-janney-donates-10000-to-foodbank|title=Actress Allison Janney donates $10,000 to Foodbank|website=dayton247now.com|date=May 20, 2020 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.dayton.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/allison-janney-wins-000-for-dayton-charity-part-ellen-episode-partly-recorded-mom-house-here/VPbiMXqiYo6OKsQpxXShrM/amp.html|title=Allison Janney wins $10,000 for Dayton charity as part of 'Ellen' episode partly recorded at mom's house here|website=dayton.com|date=May 10, 2020 }}
Janney has also been an active supporter of voter registration, posting about voter ID issues and suggesting fans check VoteRiders for details.{{cite web|title=Allison Janney|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2282469752036128&id=1996305403985899|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=www.facebook.com}} She and her West Wing co-stars were part of Michelle Obama's When We All Vote initiative.{{cite web|last=Moreno|first=J. Edward|date=August 25, 2020|title='The West Wing' cast to reunite for Michelle Obama's voter registration initiative|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/513532-the-west-wing-cast-to-reunite-for-michelle-obamas-voter|access-date=May 1, 2021|website=The Hill|language=en}} More recently, she participated in Divas for Democracy: United We Slay, a streaming variety show supporting voter registration.{{cite web|date=October 1, 2020|title=Broadway stars and drag queens to unite for voter drive show|url=https://apnews.com/article/cheyenne-jackson-theater-allison-janney-democracy-rupaul-b42a44ed52be6f54e22195c68e645925|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=AP NEWS}}
Acting credits
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Who Shot Pat? | Miss Penny | |
| rowspan="5" | 1994 | Dead Funny | Jennifer | |
| {{sortname|The|Cowboy Way|dab=film}} | NYPD computer operator | ||
| Wolf | Party Guest | ||
| Miracle on 34th Street | Woman in Christmas Shop | ||
| Heading Home | Mary Polanski | ||
| rowspan="6" | 1996 | Flux | Heather | |
| Rescuing Desire | Betsy | ||
| Walking and Talking | Gum Puller | ||
| Big Night | Ann | ||
| Faithful | Saleswoman | ||
| {{sortname|The|Associate|The Associate (1996 film)}} | Sandy | ||
| rowspan="4" | 1997 | Anita Liberty | Gynecologist | Short film |
| Private Parts | Dee Dee | ||
| {{sortname|The|Ice Storm|dab=film}} | Dot Halford | ||
| Julian Po | Lilah Leech | ||
| rowspan="5" | 1998 | Primary Colors | Miss Walsh | |
| {{sortname|The|Object of My Affection}} | Constance Miller | ||
| {{sortname|The|Impostors}} | Maxine | ||
| Six Days, Seven Nights | Marjorie Smith, Robin's Boss | ||
| Celebrity | Evelyn Isaacs | ||
| rowspan="4" | 1999 | 10 Things I Hate About You | Ms. Perky | |
| Drop Dead Gorgeous | Loretta | ||
| American Beauty | Barbara Fitts | ||
| The Debtors | |||
| rowspan="4" | 2000 | Leaving Drew | Paula | rowspan="2" | Short film |
| Auto Motives | Gretchen | ||
| Nurse Betty | Lyla Branch | ||
| Rooftop Kisses | Melissa | Short film | |
| 2002 | {{sortname|The|Hours|dab=film}} | Sally Lester | |
| rowspan="3" | 2003 | Finding Nemo | Peach | Voice |
| How to Deal | Lydia Martin | ||
| Chicken Party | Barbara Strasser | Short film | |
| rowspan="2" | 2004 | Piccadilly Jim | Eugenia Crocker | |
| Winter Solstice | Molly Ripkin | ||
| rowspan="3" |2005 | Strangers with Candy | Alice | |
| Our Very Own | Joan Whitfield | ||
| The Chumscrubber | Allie Stifle | ||
| 2006 | Over the Hedge | Gladys Sharp | Voice |
| rowspan="2" | 2007 | Hairspray | Prudy Pingleton | |
| Juno | Brenda "Bren" MacGuff | ||
| rowspan="2" | 2008 | Pretty Ugly People | Suzanna | |
| Prop 8: The Musical | Prop 8 leader's wife | ||
| rowspan="2" | 2009 | Away We Go | Lily Anderson | |
| Life During Wartime | Trish Maplewood | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2011 | Margaret | Wounded woman / Monica Patterson | |
| {{sortname|The|Help|dab=film}} | Charlotte Phelan | ||
| {{sortname|The|Oranges|dab=film}} | Cathy Ostroff | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2012 | {{sortname|A|Thousand Words|dab=film}} | Samantha Davis | |
| Struck by Lightning | Sheryl Phillips | ||
| Liberal Arts | Prof. Judith Fairfield | ||
| rowspan="5" | 2013 | The Way, Way Back | Betty Thompson | |
| Days and Nights | Elizabeth | ||
| Bad Words | Dr. Bernice Deagan | ||
| Trust Me | Meg | ||
| Brightest Star | The Astronomer | ||
| rowspan="4" | 2014 | Tammy | Deb | |
| Mr. Peabody & Sherman | Ms. Grunion | Voice | |
| The Rewrite | Prof. Mary Weldon | ||
| Get On Up | Kathy | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2015 | The DUFF | Dottie Piper | |
| Spy | Elaine Crocker | ||
| Minions | Madge Nelson | Voice | |
| rowspan="4" | 2016 | Tallulah | Margaret "Margo" Mooney | |
| Finding Dory | Peach | Voice, cameo | |
| Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Dr. Nancy Golan / Mr. Barron | ||
| The Girl on the Train | Detective Riley | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2017 | A Happening of Monumental Proportions | Principal Nichols | |
| Sun Dogs | Rose Chipley | ||
| I, Tonya | LaVona Golden | {{Cite web |title=5 Surprising Things You Never Knew About Golden Globe Winner Allison Janney |url=https://people.com/movies/golden-globes-2018-allison-janney-all-about/ |access-date=November 9, 2024 |website=People.com |language=en}} | |
| rowspan="5" | 2019 | Troop Zero | Miss Massey | |
| Ma | Dr. Brooks | Cameo | |
| Bad Education | Pamela "Pam" Gluckin | ||
| The Addams Family | Margaux Needler | Voice | |
| Bombshell | Susan Estrich | ||
| 2020 | Lazy Susan | Velvet Swensen | |
| 2021 | Breaking News in Yuba County | Sue Buttons | Also executive producer |
| rowspan="3" | 2022 | To Leslie | Nancy | |
| Lou | Lou Adell | Also executive producer | |
| The People We Hate at the Wedding | Donna | ||
| 2023 | The Creator | Colonel Howell | |
| rowspan="3" | 2025 | Another Simple Favor | Aunt Linda McLanden | |
| {{pending film|Everything's Going to Be Great}} | Macy Smart | Post-production | |
| {{pending film|The Roses}} | {{TableTBA}} | Post-production |
{{pending films key}}
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Morton & Hayes | Beatrice Caldicott-Hayes | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Law & Order | Nora | Episode: "Star Struck" |
| 1993 | Blind Spot | Doreen | Television film |
| 1993–95 | Guiding Light | Ginger | Numerous episodes |
| 1994 | Law & Order | Ann Madsen | Episode: "Old Friends" |
| 1995 | The Wright Verdicts | Alice Klein | Episode: "Sins of the Father" |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Vivian | Episode: "Digital Underground" |
| 1996 | Aliens in the Family | Principal Sherman | Episode: "A Very Brody Tweeznax" |
| 1996 | Cosby | Podiatric Nurse | Episode: "Happily Ever Hilton" |
| 1997 | ...First Do No Harm | Dr. Melanie Abbasac | Television film |
| 1997 | Path to Paradise | Assistant District Attorney | Television film |
| 1998 | David and Lisa | Alix | Television film |
| 1999 | LateLine | Helen Marschant | Episode: "The Minister of Television" |
| 1999–2006 | {{sortname|The|West Wing}} | C. J. Cregg | Main cast; 155 episodes |
| 2000–03 | Scruff | Holly | Voice, main role |
| 2000 | A Girl Thing | Kathy McCormack | Television film |
| 2001–02 | Frasier | Phyllis / Susanna | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | King of the Hill | Laura | Episode: "Full Metal Dust Jacket" |
| 2005 | Weeds | Ms. Greenstein | Episode: "Lude Awakening" |
| 2007 | Two and a Half Men | Beverly | Episode: "My Damn Stalker" |
| 2007 | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Herself | Episode: "The Disaster Show" |
| 2008–13 | Phineas and Ferb | Charlene Doofenshmirtz | Voice, 9 episodes |
| 2010–15 | Family Guy | Various | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Lost | "Mother" | Episode: "Across the Sea" |
| 2010 | In Plain Sight | Allison Pearson | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Marcia | Episode: "GlennHog Day" |
| 2011 | Mr. Sunshine | Crystal Cohen | Main cast; 13 episodes |
| 2012 | The Big C | Rita Strauss | Episode: "Life Rights" |
| 2012 | Robot Chicken | Grammi Gummi / Woman | Voice, episode: "In Bed Surrounded by Loved Ones" |
| 2013 | Veep | Janet Ryland | Episode: "First Response" |
| 2013–15 | Masters of Sex | Margaret Scully | 9 episodes |
| 2013–21 | Mom | Bonnie Plunkett | Main role; 170 episodes |
| 2014 | Web Therapy | Judith Frick | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Key & Peele | Various | Episode: "Key & Peele's Super Bowl Special" |
| 2016 | The Simpsons | Julia | Voice, episode: "Friends and Family" |
| 2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Herself | Episode: "Allison Janney Wears a Chambray Western Shirt and Suede Fringe Boots" |
| 2017–18 | F Is for Family | Henrietta Van Horne | Voice, 5 episodes{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/f-is-for-family-knows-that-all-family-debts-come-due-so-1798191966|work=The A.V. Club|title=F Is For Family knows that all family debts come due sometime|author=Perkins, Dennis|date=June 11, 2017|access-date=June 25, 2017}} |
| 2017 | Nobodies | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | American Dad! | Jessie | Voice, episode: "Family Plan" |
| 2018–20 | DuckTales | Goldie O'Gilt | Voice, 5 episodes |
| 2019 | The Kominsky Method | Herself | Episode: "Chapter 16. A Thetan Arrives" |
| 2020 | A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote | C. J. Cregg | Television special |
| 2020 | Celebrity IOU | Herself | Episode: "Alison Janney Gifts A Showstopper" |
| 2021 | Q-Force | Unknown | Voice, episode: "WeHo Confidential" |
| 2022 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Herself | Episode: "Allison Janney" |
| 2024–present | Palm Royale | Evelyn Rollins | Main role |
| 2024 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Cynthia | Episode: "No Lessons Learned" |
| 2024–present | The Diplomat | Grace Penn{{Cite web |title='The Diplomat' Season 2 at Netflix Casts Allison Janney (Exclusive) |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64414407/ |access-date=November 2, 2024 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}} | 2 episodes |
=Theatre=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Year
! scope="col" | Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Venue ! Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Ladies | rowspan="2" | Performer | rowspan="3" | Off-Broadway | |
| 1991 | Prescribed Laughter In The Emergency Café | |||
| 1992 | Making Book | Megan Chamber | ||
| 1993 | Five Women Wearing the Same Dress | Mindy | Manhattan Class Company, Off-Broadway | |
| 1993 | Class One Acts | Performer | Off-Broadway | |
| 1993 | Breaking Up | Alice | Delacorte Theater, Off-Broadway | |
| 1995 | New England | Gemma Baker | New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway | |
| 1996 | Blue Window | Boo | Second Stage Theater, Off-Broadway | |
| 1996 | Present Laughter | Liz Essendine | Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway | |
| 1997 | A View from the Bridge | Beatrice Carbone | Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway | |
| 1999 | The Taming of the Shrew | Katherina | Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2007 | The Autumn Garden | Constance Tuckerman | Williamstown Theatre Festival | |
| 2009 | 9 to 5: The Musical | Violet Newstead | Marquis Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2017 | Six Degrees of Separation | Ouisa Kittredge | Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway |
=Music video=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Let Me Be Your Girl"{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/4403446-155/allison-janney-clowns-around-in-rachael |title=Allison Janney clowns around in Rachael Yamagata's new video |author=Nicole Evatt |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2016}} | Clown | Artist: Rachael Yamagata; Director: Josh Radnor |
Awards and nominations
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Allison Janney}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Allison Janney}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{TCMDb name}}
- {{IOBDB name|2640}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{Emmys person|allison-janney}}
- {{EmmyTVLegends name}}
- [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/alison_janney Allison Janney] at RottenTomatoes
- [https://www.instagram.com/allisonbjanney/ Allison Janney] on Instagram
- [https://x.com/AllisonBJanney Allison Janney] on Twitter
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Allison Janney
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Supporting Actress}}
{{AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series}}
{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{DramaDesk MusicalActress}}
{{DramaDesk PlayFeaturedActress}}
{{EmmyAward DramaLeadActress}}
{{EmmyAward ComedySupportingActress}}
{{EmmyAward DramaSupportingActress}}
{{EmmyAward DramaGuestActress}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture}}
{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{IndependentSpiritBestSupportingFemale}}
{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{Satellite Award Best Actress Television Series Drama}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward FemaleSupportMotionPicture}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward FemaleTVDrama}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Janney, Allison}}
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Boston
Category:Actresses from Dayton, Ohio
Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Category:American film actresses
Category:American musical theatre actresses
Category:American soap opera actresses
Category:American stage actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:American voice actresses
Category:Best Supporting Actress AACTA International Award winners
Category:Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners
Category:Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Award winners
Category:Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe (film) winners
Category:Drama Desk Award winners
Category:Hotchkiss School alumni
Category:Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female winners
Category:Kenyon College alumni
Category:Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre alumni
Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners
Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series Primetime Emmy Award winners