Allison Janney
Highest Rated: 99% Finding Nemo (2003)
Lowest Rated: 0% Days and Nights (2014)
Birthday: Nov 19, 1960
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, USA
One of the most talented -- and often underappreciated -- character actresses of the late 1990s, Allison Janney first began courting critical attention with roles in such acclaimed films as Big Night (1996) and American Beauty (1998). Able to play characters ranging from a name-dropping Manhattan socialite to a withdrawn, abused wife, the 6'0" Janney infuses all of her portrayals with equal parts poignancy and unforced gusto.A product of Dayton, Ohio, where she was born November 19, 1959, Janney was raised as the daughter of a homemaker and the president of a real estate firm. She aspired to be a champion figure skater from a young age, but any hopes of pursuing a skating career were halted by a freak accident that badly damaged Janney's leg when she was in her mid-teens. As a student at Kenyon College, she became interested in acting, and got her first break when she successfully auditioned for a play being directed by Kenyon alum Paul Newman. After impressing Newman, a racing enthusiast, with both her acting skills and her love of fast cars, Janney went on to impress his wife, Joanne Woodward, who directed her in a number of off-off-Broadway plays during the early 1980s.Although she enjoyed early stage success, Janney had difficulty starting her career, something that was hindered by her height: one disparaging casting agent went so far as to tell her that the only roles she was suitable for were lesbians and aliens. Thankfully, the actress pressed on in the face of such idiocy, waitressing and scooping ice cream to support herself during dry spells. Her luck began to change for the better in the late 1990s, when she started garnering luminous reviews for her work both on Broadway -- where she earned a Tony nomination for her role in 1998's A View from the Bridge -- and onscreen in such films as Big Night (1996) and Mike Nichols' Primary Colors (1998). In the former film, she appeared as the quiet, capable love interest of Tony Shalhoub's struggling Italian chef, while the latter featured the actress in the minor but poignant role of a painfully-awkward schoolteacher who is seduced by John Travolta's libidinous Presidential candidate. Janney, who had been appearing on television and in films since the early '90s, went on to do reliably excellent work in a variety of films that ranged from The Object of My Affection (1998), in which she played the supercilious, name-dropping wife of a high-powered literary agent (Alan Alda); to Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), which featured her as a beehived, chain-smoking trailer park resident; to American Beauty (1999), in which she gave a quietly powerful portrayal of the abused wife of a tyrannical ex-Marine (Chris Cooper). Janney's talents have also been put on ample display on the small screen: in 1999, she joined the cast of the acclaimed NBC White House drama The West Wing, originating the role of tough press secretary C.J. Cregg.In addition to continuing her work on The West Wing, Janney played a supporting role in the award winning psychological drama The Hours (2002), and voiced Peach the Starfish in Pixar's wildly successful Finding Nemo (2003). The actress' would play the neighbor of protagonist Jim Winters (Anthony LaPaglia) in 2004's drama Winter Solstice, and continued to play small, yet meaty roles throughout the coming years (among them include On Our Very Own and Hairspray), she earned mainstream attention and critical praise for her role as the parent of a pregnant teen (Ellen Page) in Juno. Ironically, in light of her Juno success, Janney was also critically recognized for her performance as an emotionally detached mother in Sam Mendes' bittersweet comedy Away We Go (2009).
Photos
Highest Rated Movies
Filmography
Movies
| Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67% | Troop Zero | Miss Massey | — | 2020 |
| 69% | Bombshell | Susan Estrich | — | 2019 |
| 44% | The Addams Family | Actor | — | 2019 |
| 88% | Bad Education | Actor | — | 2019 |
| 17% | A Happening of Monumental Proportions | Actor | — | 2018 |
| 89% | I, Tonya | LaVona Golden | $29M | 2018 |
| 80% | Sun Dogs | Actor | — | 2017 |
| 44% | The Girl on the Train | Detective Riley | $75.4M | 2016 |
| 64% | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Dr. Golan | $87.3M | 2016 |
| 85% | Tallulah | Margo | — | 2016 |
| 94% | Finding Dory | Peach | $486.3M | 2016 |
| 55% | Minions | Madge Nelson | $278M | 2015 |
| 95% | Spy | Elaine Crocker | $90M | 2015 |
| 72% | The DUFF | Dottie | $30.8M | 2015 |
| 66% | The Rewrite | Professor Weldon | $0.4M | 2015 |
| 0% | Days and Nights | Elizabeth | $6.5K | 2014 |
| 79% | Get On Up | Kathy | $22.9M | 2014 |
| 24% | Tammy | Deb | $51.1M | 2014 |
| 53% | Trust Me | Meg | — | 2014 |
| 65% | Bad Words | Dr. Bernice Deagan | — | 2014 |
| 81% | Mr. Peabody & Sherman | Ms. Grunion | $101.8M | 2014 |
| 13% | Brightest Star | The Astronomer | — | 2014 |
| No Score Yet | Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy | Actor | — | 2013 |
| 39% | Touchy Feely | Bronwyn | $36.5K | 2013 |
| 83% | The Way Way Back | Betty | $21.6M | 2013 |
| 32% | Struck by Lightning | Sheryl | $0.2M | 2013 |
| 31% | The Oranges | Cathy | $0.3M | 2012 |
| 71% | Liberal Arts | Professor Judith Fairfield | $0.4M | 2012 |
| 0% | A Thousand Words | Samantha Davis | $18.5M | 2012 |
| 73% | Margaret | Monica Patterson | $47K | 2011 |
| 76% | The Help | Charlotte Phelan | $169.8M | 2011 |
| 68% | Life During Wartime | Trish | $0.3M | 2010 |
| 67% | Away We Go | Lily | $9.5M | 2009 |
| No Score Yet | Pretty Ugly People | Suzanna | — | 2008 |
| 94% | Juno | Bren MacGuff | $143.4M | 2007 |
| 91% | Hairspray | Prudy Pingleton | $118.9M | 2007 |
| 75% | Over the Hedge | Gladys | $155.1M | 2006 |
| 37% | The Chumscrubber | Mrs. Stiffle | — | 2005 |
| No Score Yet | Our Very Own | Joan Whirfield | — | 2005 |
| 60% | Winter Solstice | Molly Ripkin | $0.3M | 2005 |
| 52% | Strangers with Candy | Alice | $2M | 2005 |
| No Score Yet | Piccadilly Jim | Eugenia Crocker | — | 2005 |
| No Score Yet | Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde | Actor | — | 2004 |
| 27% | How to Deal | Lydia Martin | $14.2M | 2003 |
| 99% | Finding Nemo | Peach | $380.6M | 2003 |
| 80% | The Hours | Sally Lester | $41.5M | 2002 |
| No Score Yet | Rooftop Kisses | Actor | — | 2002 |
| No Score Yet | A Girl Thing | Kathy McCormack | — | 2001 |
| 83% | Nurse Betty | Lyla | — | 2000 |
| No Score Yet | Auto Motives | Actor | — | 2000 |
| 87% | American Beauty | Barbara Fitts | — | 1999 |
| 46% | Drop Dead Gorgeous | Loretta | — | 1999 |
| 62% | The Impostors | Maxi | — | 1999 |
| 68% | 10 Things I Hate About You | Ms. Perky | — | 1999 |
| 41% | Celebrity | Evelyn Issacs | — | 1998 |
| No Score Yet | David y Lisa | Alix | — | 1998 |
| 36% | Six Days, Seven Nights | Marjorie | — | 1998 |
| 54% | The Object of My Affection | Constance Miller | — | 1998 |
| 81% | Primary Colors | Miss Walsh | — | 1998 |
| 85% | The Ice Storm | Dot Halford | — | 1997 |
| No Score Yet | Julian Po | Lilah | — | 1997 |
| No Score Yet | Path to Paradise: World Trade Center Bombing | Assistant D.A. | — | 1997 |
| 75% | Private Parts | Dee Dee | — | 1997 |
| No Score Yet | Jamás Causaré Daño | Dr. Melanie Abbasac | — | 1997 |
| 28% | The Associate | Sandy | — | 1996 |
| 96% | Big Night | Ann | — | 1996 |
| 88% | Walking and Talking | Amelia's Neighbor | — | 1996 |
| 7% | Faithful | Saleslady | — | 1996 |
| No Score Yet | Dead Funny | Jennifer | — | 1995 |
| No Score Yet | Heading Home | Linda Polanski | — | 1995 |
| 60% | Miracle on 34th Street | The Woman | — | 1994 |
| 60% | Wolf | Young Business Person | — | 1994 |
| 15% | The Cowboy Way | Lady Cop | — | 1994 |
| No Score Yet | Blind Spot | Doreen | — | 1993 |
TV
| Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No Score Yet |
Jimmy Kimmel Live 2003 |
Guest |
2020 2018 2015 |
| No Score Yet |
Mom 2013 |
Bonnie |
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 |
| No Score Yet |
The Late Late Show With James Corden 2015-2019 |
Guest |
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 |
| 100% |
DuckTales 2017-2019 |
Voice |
2018 |
| No Score Yet |
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors 2015 |
Guest |
2018 |
| No Score Yet |
Conan 2010 |
Guest |
2018 2015 2014 |
| No Score Yet |
The Talk 2010 |
Guest |
2018 2015 2014 2013 2011 |
| No Score Yet |
The Ellen DeGeneres Show 2003 |
Guest |
2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2008 2007 2006 |
| No Score Yet |
Hollywood Medium With Tyler Henry 2016-2019 |
Appearing Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
Tavis Smiley 2013-2018 |
Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
The View 1997 |
Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen 2009-2019 |
Guest |
2017 |
| No Score Yet |
The Chew 2011-2018 |
Guest |
2017 2015 |
| No Score Yet |
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 2015 |
Guest |
2017 2016 2015 |
| 41% |
Chelsea 2016-2017 |
Guest |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
Comedy Bang! Bang! 2012-2016 |
Guest |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
Sunday Morning 2011-2018 |
Appearing |
2016 |
| 85% |
The Simpsons 1989 |
Voice |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
Close Up With the Hollywood Reporter 2015 |
Guest |
2016 2015 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Night With Seth Meyers 2014 |
Guest |
2015 |
| No Score Yet |
The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson 2005-2014 |
Guest |
2015 2013 |
| No Score Yet |
CBS This Morning 2012 |
Guest |
2015 2014 2013 2012 |
| 71% |
Family Guy 1999 |
Voice |
2015 2010 |
| No Score Yet |
Chelsea Lately 2007-2014 |
Guest |
2014 |
| No Score Yet |
Hollywood Game Night 2013-2019 |
Appearing |
2014 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Show With David Letterman 1993-2015 |
Guest |
2014 |
| No Score Yet |
Web Therapy 2011-2014 |
Client |
2014 |
| 84% |
Masters of Sex 2013-2016 |
Margaret Scully |
2014 2013 |
| 93% |
Veep 2012-2019 |
Janet Ryland |
2013 2012 |
| No Score Yet |
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 1992-2014 |
Guest |
2013 2001 2000 |
| 55% |
The Big C 2010-2013 |
Rita |
2012 |
| 36% |
Glenn Martin, DDS 2009-2011 |
Voice |
2011 |
| 47% |
Mr. Sunshine 2011 |
Crystal |
2011 |
| No Score Yet |
In Plain Sight 2008-2012 |
2010 |
|
| 85% |
Lost 2004-2010 |
Woman |
2010 |
| No Score Yet |
Phineas and Ferb 2007-2015 |
Voice |
2008 |
| No Score Yet |
The Bonnie Hunt Show 2008-2010 |
Guest |
2008 |
| 74% |
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip 2006-2007 |
Herself |
2007 |
| 63% |
Two and a Half Men 2003-2015 |
Beverly |
2007 |
| 75% |
The West Wing 1999-2006 |
C.J. Cregg Claudia Jean "C.J." Cregg |
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 |
| 70% |
Weeds 2005-2012 |
Attorney |
2005 |
| No Score Yet |
King of the Hill 1997-2010 |
Voice |
2003 |
| 94% |
Frasier 1993-2004 |
Guest Susanna |
2002 2001 |
| 91% |
Homicide: Life on the Street 1993-1999 |
Det. Cutler |
1999 |
| No Score Yet |
Law & Order 1990-2010 |
Nora Ann Madsen |
1994 1992 |
| No Score Yet |
Mom |
Bonnie |
QUOTES FROM Allison Janney CHARACTERS
Elaine Crocker says: I must have watched this like fifteen times because what the fuck?! I almost put it up on YouTube.
Elaine Crocker says: You might as well cry directly into my mouth.
Charlotte Phelan says: You know, Hilly, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you've been eatin' too much *pie*.
Charlotte Phelan says: Love and hate are two horns on the same goat, Eugenia. And you need a goat.
Agamemnon says: What sort of creature are you?
Ms. Grunion says: The name's Grunion!
Agamemnon says: I'm in love!
Ms. Grunion says: You haven't seen the last of me, Peabody! You'll make a mistake eventually, and when you do, I'll be there!
Charlotte Phelan says: Your eggs are dyin'. Would it kill you to go on a date?
Charlotte Phelan says: Courage sometimes skips a generation. Thank you for bringin' it back to our family.
Betty says: Where is your eye-patch?
Betty says: She called me a C U Next Tuesday! To my face! Can you believe that?
Charlotte Phelan says: (pushes Hilly off the front porch as she's talking to her) Now, you get your raggedy ass my porch. Get off my property. Go on. Before we get some disgustin' things on our lips!.
Charlotte Phelan says: Now, you get your raggedy ass my porch. Get off my property. Go on. Before we get some disgustin' things on our lips!
Charlotte Phelan says: (Sees Skeeter talking on the phone with Ms. Elaine Stain from New York City as she opens the door) Skeeter, who are you talkin' to in there.
Charlotte Phelan says: [sees Skeeter talking on the phone with Ms. Elaine Stain from New York City as she opens the door] Skeeter, who are you talkin' to in there.
Ricky Fitts says: I'm leaving.
Barbara Fitts says: Okay. Wear a raincoat.
Skeeter Phelan says: I got a job today.
Charlotte Phelan says: Where?
Skeeter Phelan says: The Jackson Journal.
Charlotte Phelan says: Great. You can write my obituary! "Charlotte Phelan, dead. Her daughter still single!"
Charlotte Phelan says: Great. You can write my obituary! 'Charlotte Phelan, dead. Her daughter still single!'
Peach the Starfish says: Find a happy place! Find a happy place!
Johnny Foote says: before we all get one of those disscusting things on our lips
Johnny Foote says: Before we all get one of those disgusting things on our lips!
Charlotte Phelan says: Before we all get one of those disgusting things on our lips!
Prudy Pingleton says: Devil's Child! (sprinkles water on Penny) Devil's Child!
Prudy Pingleton says: Devil's Child! [sprinkles water on Penny] Devil's Child!
Charlotte Phelan says: They say courage skips a generation.
Mr. Blackly says: One of these days their gonna figure out cigarettes will kill you.
Peach the Starfish says: It's a root canal, and from the looks of those x-rays, it's not going to be pretty.
Charlotte Phelan says: â??"Love and hate are two horns on the same goat, Eugenia. And you need a goat."
Charlotte Phelan says: Love and hate are two horns on the same goat, Eugenia. And you need a goat.
Charlotte Phelan says: Get yo raggedy ass off my porch
Charlotte Phelan says: Now, you get your raggedy ass off my porch.
Gladys says: There's a dead white rat on my staircase!
Gladys says: That's the...
Dwayne says: The Depelter Turbo! Prepare for a lot of stinging!
Gladys says: [Repeated line] AAAAAHH!
Gladys says: [repeated line] AAAAAHH!
Prudy Pingleton says: Penny, pray for her. [hands her a rosary] She's gonna need it...[smirks to herself]
Prudy Pingleton says: Penny, pray for her. [hands her a rosary] She's gonna need it. [smirks to herself]
Charlotte Phelan says: (To Hilly) Get your raggedy ass off my porch.
Charlotte Phelan says: [to Hilly] Get your raggedy ass off my porch.
Minny Jackson says: Love and hate are two horns on the same goat.
Charlotte Phelan says: Love and hate are two horns on the same goat.
Charlotte Phelan says: You bring courage back to this family.