B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the work of Allison Janney into the ol’ VCR.

On November 19, 1959, Allison Janney was born. 

She grew up in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and went to both The Miami Valley and Hotchkiss Schools. 

From there, Allison Janney enrolled in Kenyon College, where she met Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, who encouraged her to continue acting. Yes, I’m serious. 

She then trained at both The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before booking her first TV role in 1991. 

Allison Janney then began appearing in soap operas and shows, like Law & Order, and lending her voice to A Prairie Home Companion as a regular cast member. 

In 1996, she made her Broadway debut in Present Laughter, where she won a plethora of awards for her performance, all while simultaneously appearing in iconic films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and American Beauty. 

Allison Janney also starred in A View to Remember, earning a Tony nomination for her performance, on top of winning two other awards. 

She booked her first starring television in 1999 on The West Wing, where she played C.J. Cregg, who, in my opinion, is one of the best characters in TV history. 

Following the end of The West Wing, Allison Janney appeared in movies like Juno and Hairspray (2007), and even won a couple of awards for the latter. 

She also starred in the musical adaptation of 9 to 5, where she snagged another Tony nomination and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. 

Allison Janney has been nominated for countless awards over the years and went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2017 for her role in I, Tonya (another personal favorite of mine). 

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention how badass all of Allison Janney’s philanthropy is. 

She regularly supports Planned Parenthood, is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, and has been outspoken about voter registration and addiction throughout her career. 

There’s not much more that I can say about Allison Janney that hasn’t already been said. 

Allison, if you ever read this, thank you. 🖤

Without further ado, here’s some of my favorite Allison Janney content: 

• Juno 
• I, Tonya 
• The DUFF
• How to Deal 
• Palm Royale 
• The West Wing 
• Hairspray (2007) 
• Drop Dead Gorgeous 
• 10 Things I Hate About You