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Allison Janney Biography

Birth Name:Allison Brooks Janney

Birth Place:Dayton, Ohio, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016
  • Received the 2017 Hollywood Film Supporting Actress Award
  • Studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London for a summer
  • Attended the Neighborhood Playhouse with fellow actor Dylan McDermott
  • Made her Broadway debut in 1996 in the play "Present Laughter․"
  • While attending Kenyon College, actor Paul Newman directed a play she was in, and Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward, suggested that she continue with acting
  • Quote: "[on politics in "The West Wing"] "Listen, I'm an actor․ I can make anyone believe anything․ I don't have to know what the hell I'm talking about․""
  • Quote: "I like playing moms․ They're fun to play, mothers and daughters especially․ It's the ultimate love-hate relationship and there's a lot to play in there․ I bring a lot of my mother into everything I play․"
  • Performed in the "Thrive" radio campaign for the American Institute of Architects
  • Was the voice of the Aly San San spokesdroid at the "Star Tours: The Adventure Continues" attraction at Disneyland

Awards

  • 1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1999ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a New Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2000TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 2000Q Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Drama: winner
  • 2001TV Guide Award-Actress of the Year in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2002AFI Award-Actor of the Year - Female - TV Series: nominated
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2002ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2002Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2003Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2003Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2003Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Drama Series: winner
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2003PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2007Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2007OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2007Prism Award-Performance in a TV-Movie: winner
  • 2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2008Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2008Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
  • 2009Best Actress-: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
  • 2010Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2011ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2011BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2011CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: winner
  • 2011Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 2011Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2011NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
  • 2011Special Achievement Award-Best Ensemble, Motion Picture: winner
  • 2011SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2011WFCC Award-Women's Work/Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2012Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2012COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2012NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2014Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: winner
  • 2014Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2014INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014INOCA TV-Best Guest Actress in a Drama or Comedy Series: winner
  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2014Prism Award-Performance in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2015Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
  • 2015Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2015INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016Gracie-Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2016INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2016OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2017BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017CIFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2017Hollywood Film Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
  • 2017IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017ICP Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017LAOFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017NFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017NYFCO Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017PFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017PCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2017SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017SFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017VVFP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2017WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017WFCC Award-Best Comedic Actress: winner
  • 2018AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2018EDA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018AFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Supporting Actress (Mejor Actriz de reparto): nominated
  • 2018Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
  • 2018GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2018HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018ALFS Award-Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2018NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018OFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Spotlight Award-Actress: winner
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Outstanding Performer of the Year Award-: winner
  • 2018Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2019CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actress - International Competition: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020Dorian Award-Best Supporting TV Performance - Actress: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2020HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2020IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2021OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2023Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2025Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2025Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television: nominated
  • 2026Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: nominated