Allison Janney
Acting
Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959) is an American actress. In a career spanning three decades, she is known for her performances across multiple genres of screen and stage. Janney 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 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 The West Wing (1999–2006), for which she received four Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2014, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Margaret Scully on the Showtime period drama Masters of Sex. For her portrayal of Bonnie Plunkett, a cynical recovering addict on the CBS sitcom Mom (2013–2021), Janney received six Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won twice for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. 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). Her film roles include Private Parts (1997), Primary Colors (1998), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999), American Beauty (1999), Nurse Betty (2000), The Hours (2002), Hairspray (2007), Juno (2007), The Help (2011), The Way, Way Back (2013), Tammy (2014), The Rewrite (2014), Spy (2015), Tallulah (2016), The Girl on the Train (2016), Bad Education (2019) and Bombshell (2019). She voiced roles in Finding Nemo (2003), Over the Hedge (2006), Minions (2015), and The Addams Family (2019). For her performance in the black comedy I, Tonya (2017), Janney won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award, all for Best Supporting Actress.
Known for
Acting170
movieNot Alone
2027
(voice)
movieMinions & Monsters
2026
Olivia (voice)
movieMiss You, Love You
2026
Diane Patterson
movieThe Roses
2025
Eleanor
movieEverything's Going to Be Great
2025
Macy Smart
movieAnother Simple Favor
2025
Aunt Linda McLanden
tvPalm Royale
2024
Evelyn Rollins
movieThe Creator
2023
Colonel Howell
tvThe Diplomat
2023
Vice President Grace Penn / President Grace Penn
movieMinions & More 2
2022
Madge Nelson (voice)
movieTo Leslie
2022
Nancy
movieLou
2022
Lou
tvBe My Guest with Ina Garten
2022
Self - Guest
movieBreaking News in Yuba County
2021
Sue Buttons
movieLazy Susan
2020
Velvet
movieBombshell
2019
Susan Estrich
movieExpedition Amelia
2019
Narrator (voice)
movieThe Addams Family
2019
Margaux Needler (voice)
movieBad Education
2019
Pam Gluckin
tvHuman Discoveries
2019
The Mighty Karen (voice)
movieMa
2019
Doctor Brooks
movieTroop Zero
2019
Miss Massey
movieBeyond Boundaries: The Harvey Weinstein Scandal
2018
Self (archive footage)
movieI, Tonya
2017
LaVona
tvDuckTales
2017
Goldie O'Gilt (voice)
movieSun Dogs
2017
Rose Chipley
movieA Happening of Monumental Proportions
2017
Principal Nichols
movieThe Girl on the Train
2016
Detective Sgt. Riley
movieFinding Dory
2016
Peach (voice)
movieTallulah
2016
Margo
tvChelsea
2016
Self
movieBinky Nelson Unpacified
2015
Madge Nelson (voice)
movieMinions
2015
Madge Nelson (voice)
movieSpy
2015
Elaine Crocker
tvThe Late Late Show with James Corden
2015
Self / Self - Guest
movieThe DUFF
2015
Dottie Piper
movieDays and Nights
2014
Elizabeth
movieGet On Up
2014
Kathy
movieThe Rewrite
2014
Professor Weldon
movieMr. Peabody & Sherman
2014
Ms. Grunion (voice)
movieBrightest Star
2013
The Astronomer
tvMasters of Sex
2013
Margaret Scully
tvMom
2013
Bonnie Plunkett
movieTouchy Feely
2013
Bronwyn
movieBad Words
2013
Dr. Bernice Deagan
movieStruck by Lightning
2013
Sheryl Phillips
movieLetters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy
2013
Self - Narrator (voice)
movieThe Way Way Back
2013
Betty Thompson
movieCelia
2012
Celia
movieLiberal Arts
2012
Professor Judith Fairfield
tvVeep
2012
Janet Ryland
movieA Thousand Words
2012
Samantha Davis
movieMargaret
2011
Monica Patterson
movieThe Oranges
2011
Carol Ostroff
movieThe Help
2011
Charlotte Phelan
tvWeb Therapy
2011
Judith Frick
tvMr. Sunshine
2011
Crystal Cohen
movieLove and Distrust
2010
Grechen (segment "Auto Motives")
movieLife During Wartime
2010
Trish Maplewood
tvWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Self - Guest
movieIt's Still Me!
2009
Narrator (voice)
movieProp 8: The Musical
2008
Prop 8 Leader's #1 Wife
moviePretty Ugly People
2008
Suzanna
tvWeb Therapy
2008
Judith Frick
tvIn Plain Sight
2008
Allison Pearson
movieJuno
2007
Bren MacGuff
tvPhineas and Ferb
2007
Charlene Doofenshmirtz (voice)
movieHairspray
2007
Prudy Pringleton
tvThe Megan Mullally Show
2006
Self - Guest
movieOver the Hedge
2006
Gladys (voice)
tvWeeds
2005
Ms. Greenstein
movieOur Very Own
2005
Joan Whitfield
movieThe Chumscrubber
2005
Allie Stiffle
tvAmerican Dad!
2005
Aunt Jesse (voice)
moviePiccadilly Jim
2004
Eugenia Crocker
tvLost
2004
Mother
tvThe Soup
2004
Self
movieWinter Solstice
2004
Molly Ripkin
movieChicken Party
2003
Barbara Strasser
tvTwo and a Half Men
2003
Beverly
movieHow to Deal
2003
Lydia Martin
movieFinding Nemo
2003
Peach (voice)
tvJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
Self / Self - Guest
movieThe Hours
2002
Sally Lester
movieRooftop Kisses
2002
Melissa
tvA Girl Thing
2001
Kathy McCormack
tvCurb Your Enthusiasm
2000
Cynthia
tvThe West Wing
1999
C.J. Cregg
movieAmerican Beauty
1999
Barbara Fitts
movieDrop Dead Gorgeous
1999
Loretta
movie10 Things I Hate About You
1999
Ms. Perky
tvFamily Guy
1999
Teen People Editor (voice) / Crystal Quagmire (voice) / Mistress Vita (voice)
movieThe Impostors
1998
Maxine (Max)
movieCelebrity
1998
Evelyn Isaacs
movieSix Days Seven Nights
1998
Marjorie
movieThe Object of My Affection
1998
Constance Miller
moviePrimary Colors
1998
Miss Walsh
movieThe Ice Storm
1997
Dot Halford
movieJulian Po
1997
Lilah Leech
tvThe View
1997
Self
moviePrivate Parts
1997
Dee Dee
movie...First Do No Harm
1997
Dr. Melanie Abbasac
movieAnita Liberty
1997
Gynecologist
tvKing of the Hill
1997
Laura (voice)
movieWalking and Talking
1996
Gum Puller
movieFaithful
1996
Saleslady
Flux
1996
Heather
movieHeading Home
1995
Mary Polanski
movieMiracle on 34th Street
1994
Woman in Christmas Shop
movieWolf
1994
Party Guest
movieThe Cowboy Way
1994
NYPD Computer Operator
movieDead Funny
1994
Jennifer
tvFrasier
1993
Susanna / Phyllis (voice)
tvLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Self - Guest
movieBlind Spot
1993
Doreen
tvLaw & Order
1990
Nora / Ann Madsen
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Julia (voice)
movieWho Shot Pat?
1989
Miss Penny
tvLIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
Self - Guest
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self (uncredited)
tvPeople's Choice Awards
1975
Self - Host / Self - Presenter
tvTony Awards
1956
Self - Nominee / Self - Presenter / Self - Nominee / Performer
tvThe Oscars
1953
Self
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Nominee
Production2
movieLou
2022
Executive Producer
movieBreaking News in Yuba County
2021
Executive Producer