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Allison Janney

Birth Place: Dayton, OH, USA

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Allison Janney BIO

The incredibly versatile Allison Janney has taken her place among a select group of actors who combine a leading lady's profile with a character actor's art of performance. Currently starring alongside Anna Faris in the CBS/Chuck Lorre sitcom, "Mom," Janney also received rave reviews for her turn as Margaret Scully on Showtime's groundbreaking drama "Masters of Sex." Janney won Emmys for both roles in the same year; a feat that has only been done twice before in Emmy history. She won a second Emmy for "Mom" the following year, bringing her total number of ATAS statues to seven. She has had three feature films released recently: Tallulah which reunited her with Ellen Page, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children for director Tim Burton, and The Girl on the Train, collaborating again with longtime friend, director Tate Taylor. Janney also appeared in two of last summer's biggest box office titles: the adorably animated Minions and Spy with Melissa McCarthy. Previous feature work includes The Duff, Jason Bateman's directorial debut, Bad Words, the Dreamworks' animated film Mr. Peabody & Sherman, and The Way, Way Back with Steve Carell and Toni Collette. Additionally, she co-starred in the much anticipated feature film The Help based on the best-selling novel of the same name. For their extraordinary performances, the cast won Ensemble awards from the Screen Actors Guild, National Board of Review and the Broadcast Film Critics. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Janney has also delighted audiences with outstanding performances in the Oscar-winning ensemble hit Juno and in the movie version of the Tony Award winning play Hairspray. For her role in Todd Solondz's film Life During Wartime she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Spirit Awards. She also appeared in Sam Mendes' Away We Go, the comedy Strangers with Candy, and was heard as the voice of Gladys in Dreamworks' animated film Over the Hedge as well as Peach in Finding Nemo. She received another Spirit Award nomination for her work in the independent feature Our Very Own, and starred opposite Meryl Streep in The Hours, which received a SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. Other feature credits include the Academy Award-winning film American Beauty (for which she won a SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture) as well as Nurse Betty, How to Deal, Drop Dead Gorgeous, 10 Things I Hate About You, Primary Colors, The Ice Storm, Six Days Seven Nights, The Object of My Affection, and Big Night. Throughout her career Janney has made a handful of memorable guest-star appearances on television, but she is renowned for her starring role in the acclaimed NBC series "The West Wing," where she won a remarkable four Emmy Awards and four SAG Awards for her portrayal of White House Press Secretary CJ Cregg. While a freshman studying acting at Kenyon College in Ohio, Janney auditioned for a play that Paul Newman was directing and got the part. Soon after, Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward suggested she study at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. She followed their advice and went on to make her Broadway debut in Noel Coward's Present Laughter for which she earned the Outer Critics Circle Award and Clarence Derwent Award. She also appeared in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, receiving her first Tony Award nomination and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award. Janney was last seen on Broadway in the musical 9 to 5, for which she earned a Tony nomination and won the Drama Desk Award.

Allison Janney Photos

Allison Janney STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Ouisa

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Violet Newstead

[Los Angeles]
World Premiere, 2008
Violet Newstead

[Off-Broadway]
1999
Katherine

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1997
Beatrice

[Broadway]
1996
Liz Essendine

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Boo

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Gemma Baker

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Alice

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Mindy

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Megan Chamber

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Performer


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Allison Janney News


Common Joins Honorees at Black Theatre United Gala; Josh Groban, Lorna Courtney & More to Present

Emmy, Grammy & Academy Award winner Common has been added to the list of honorees at Black Theatre United's inaugural Gala on Monday, October 30 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.

Cast Announced for Third Season of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Tour; First Look!

The complete cast has been announced for the third touring season of the First National Tour of tTo Kill a Mockingbird. Learn more about the cast and check out all new photos here!

Amy Brenneman to Star in the LA Premiere of THE SOUND INSIDE at Pasadena Playhouse

Get ready for a captivating experience as Amy Brenneman takes center stage in the LA premiere of 'The Sound Inside' at Pasadena Playhouse. Don't miss this must-see production!

Kate Burton, John Cariani & More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival Performances

Get the latest updates on the star-studded performances at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, including appearances by Kate Burton, John Cariani, and more. Find out when and where you can catch these exciting shows.

Nancy Redman's A SEANCE WITH MOM to Return to Chain Studio Theatre Beginning Next Month

Eighteen séances in April, May and June did not do the trick, so award-winning actress/playwright/comedian Nancy Redman will join forces with iconic director Austin Pendleton for 18 more sessions of 'A  Séance With Mom' from August 21 to September 3 at Chain Studio Theatre.

A SEANCE WITH MOM Returns Next Month

 Eighteen séances in April, May and June did not do the trick, so award-winning actress/playwright/comedian Nancy Redman will join forces with iconic director Austin Pendleton for 18 more sessions of 'A Séance With Mom' from August 21 to September 3 at Chain Studio Theatre.

Dylan Baker, Omar Metwally, and More Set to Perform at Williamstown Theatre Festival This Week

Get ready for an unforgettable week at the Williamstown Theatre Festival! Dylan Baker, Omar Metwally, and a stellar lineup of talented actors will grace the stage with their remarkable performances. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to witness the magic of live theater.

Bill Irwin and Jacob Ming-Trent to Join Eden Espinosa & More at WTF Cabaret

Don't miss the incredible lineup featuring Bill Irwin and Jacob Ming-Trent, joining Eden Espinosa and more at the highly anticipated WTF Cabaret. Prepare to be amazed by the extraordinary performances and talent on display.

Eden Espinosa, Alison Pill, Asmeret Ghebremichael & More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival Programming

Williamstown Theatre Festival has revealed the lineup for the WTF Cabaret, a cabaret series curated in partnership with Tony Award nominee and Festival mainstay Christopher Fitzgerald. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival Readings

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden and more will be featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 reading series.

Grace Gummer, Mamie Gummer & Louisa Jacobson to Star in THREE SISTERS at Williamstown Theatre Festival

Additional cast and creative team members have been revealed for the 2023 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season’s Main Stage Reading Series. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

A SEANCE WITH MOM Adds Performances At Chain Studio Theatre

Four April seances did not do the trick, so Award winning actress/playwright/comedian NANCY REDMAN joins forces with iconic director AUSTIN PENDLETON for more sessions of 'A SEANCE WITH MOM'.

A SEANCE WITH MOM Adds 14 Additional Performances

Four April seances did not do the trick, so Award winning actress/playwright/comedian NANCY REDMAN joins forces with iconic director AUSTIN PENDLETON for fourteen more sessions of 'A SÉANCE WITH MOM'.   The plot??  In this new solo comedy/drama, Nadine wants to summon her mother from the grave to tell her something very important!!   May 24-June 4 at Chain Studio Theatre, 312 W. 36th St.

Ben Platt Signs With Interscope Records For Future Music Releases

Interscope Records announced that it has signed Tony, GRAMMY and Emmy Award winning artist Ben Platt. Platt is currently working on new music which upon its completion will be released via Interscope Records. As part of the deal, Platt will have the ability to sign and develop artists on his own imprint.

Additional Performances Added For Nancy Redman's A SEANCE WITH MOM

Four April seances did not do the trick, so Award winning actress/playwright/comedian NANCY REDMAN joins forces with iconic director AUSTIN PENDLETON for fourteen more sessions of 'A SÉANCE WITH MOM'.   

Wake Up With BWW 4/14: CAMELOT Reviews, Plus a Message From Jennifer Holliday!

Top stories: Read the reviews for Camelot on Broadway, check out all new clips and photos from the upcoming The Little Mermaid film, plus watch an exclusive video message from Jennifer Holliday!

Photos: Inside Carol Burnett's NBC Special With Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters & More

New photos from inside the event taping in Los Angeles feature Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Jane Lynch, Katy Perry, Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster and Darren Criss filming musical numbers, plus special guests like Cher, Julie Andrews, Allison Janney, Aileen Quinn, Amy Poehler, Bob Mackie, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and more.

Billy Porter, Josh Gad & More Join James Corden's Final LATE LATE SHOW Episodes

Josh Gad, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Allison Janney, the Kardashian family, Billy Porter and Sharon Stone are among the huge stars who will appear on THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN during the last weeks of the award-winning late night series. Global phenomenon BLACKPINK will appear in a new “Carpool Karaoke” segment.

Interview: TV Star Courtney Henggeler Reflects on Her NYC Stage Debut in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

Read BroadwayWorld's interview with TV star Courtney Henggeler as she looks back at her time starring as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Off-Broadway!

Laura Benanti, Lily Rabe & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival 2023 Summer Season

Programming has been confirmed for the 2023 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season.

Allison Janney FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Allison Janney has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

Allison Janney has not appeared in the West End

Allison Janney has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. She has been nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for her role in "Six Degrees of Separation". She has also received a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. In addition, Janney has been nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in "9 to 5". She was also nominated for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "9 to 5: The Musical". Janney's nominations also include Outstanding Featured Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "A View from the Bridge" and Best Featured Actress - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. She was also nominated for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "A View From the Bridge". Furthermore, Janney received nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "A View from the Bridge" and "Present Laughter". She was also nominated for Best Featured Actress - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Present Laughter".

Allison Janney has won several awards throughout her career. She won the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in "9 to 5." She also won the Outstanding Featured Actress - Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in "A View from the Bridge." Janney received the Best Featured Actress - Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same play. Additionally, she won the Outstanding Featured Actress - Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for "A View from the Bridge." Janney's achievements also include winning the Best Featured Actress - Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for her role in "Present Laughter."

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