Allison Janney - Fact Sheet

Profession: Actress

Janney was raised in Ohio and harbored dreams of Olympic skating medals before a freak accident in her senior year of high school dashed her plans. Attending a dance in a strapless gown, someone stepped on her skirt, tearing the dress. In an effort to preserve her dignity, Janney blindly ran—through a glass door. She was severely injured, losing a lot of blood. After recovering, Janney attended Kenyon College and lucked out by landing a role in a play directed by alumnus Paul Newman. Newman's wife, Joanne Woodward, encouraged the young actress and suggested she consider studying at NYC's Neighborhood Playhouse. Despite her credentials (including a stint at London's RADA and work Off-Off-Broadway and in regional theater), Janney had trouble finding an agent due to her height. The actress eventually landed representation and by the mid-90s, her career began to blossom. In 1994 alone, she appeared in small roles in several films, including "The Cowboy Way" and "Wolf", was featured in the Off-Broadway play "Fat Men in Skirts" and landed a recurring role as a wisecracking maid on the CBS soap "Guiding Light". In the latter, she was partnered with a short blond woman and provided welcome comic relief. More roles followed, yet none fully displayed her abilities until she was tapped by former co-star Stanley Tucci for "Big Night". 

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Allison Janney Photo Galleries	# of Pictures
Candid	1
Candid	1
Candid	5
Glamour + Candid + Screen Capture	109
Glamour + Candid + Screen Capture	47