Allison Janney

Allison had a small role in the 2007 film musical Hairspray as Amanda Bynes' wacky mother. Film director Adam Shankman said that realistically, there was no way he could manage to give Allison's character a singing segment in the movie, but he regrets this because she allegedly has a beautiful voice.

Allison is the only cast member of The West Wing to win more than one Primetime Emmy for their work on the show. She won in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004.

While starring in The West Wing, Allison appeared in a public service announcement for teacher recruitment in NBC's The More You Know campaign.

Allison was nominated for a Best Actress in a Drama Series Emmy award in 2006 for her role in The West Wing.

While struggling to make it as an actress, Allison told people who asked what she did for a living that she was a photographer for "National Geographic."

She was raised in Dayton, Ohio – the same hometown of her "The West Wing" co-stars Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe.

Her father is a jazz musician. She has two brothers who are also musicians.

Prior to beginning filming on The West Wing, Allison met several times with former White House Press Secretary, Dee Dee Myers, who served in the Clinton Administration from 1993-1994.

She attended the Miami Valley School in Dayton, Ohio. In 2004, the school named her a distinguished alumnus.

Her character C.J. Cregg, after years of serving as White House Press Secretary, was promoted to White House Chief of Staff on "The West Wing." To date, there has never been a female White House Chief of Staff in the history of the United States.

Allison's mother, while studying at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, roomed with Eileen Brennan and Rue McClanahan.

She actually lives across the street from her The West Wing co-star Janel Maloney.

In, 1997, she won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for Present Laughter.

She admits to slouching in scenes with all her shorter The West Wing co-stars.

Allison along with John Spencer, Bradley Whitford, and Richard Schiff in 2001 negotiated for a much higher salary for their roles on The West Wing. She reportedly made $70,000 per episode.

She was the voice of "Peach" in the 2003 megahit animated feature Finding Nemo.

Allison met ex-boyfriend New York City Playhouse in 1982.

Allison dated and lived with computer programmer Dennis Gagomiros for years before they eventually broke up.

Allison is one of the very few performers who have SAG Awards both for film and television ensemble acting. She won the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for American Beauty. She won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for The West Wing in both 2001 and 2002 to give her a total of 5 SAG awards.

Allison is a great admirer of Susan B. Anthony.

Allison says her 6 foot tall frame made her difficult to cast in roles.

Allison always wanted to be an Olympic figure skater.

Allison received some of her acting training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England.

Her father is a jazz musician.

Allison was discovered by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward while acting in a play at Kenyon, directed by Newman.

Allison graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

Allison was nominated in 1998 for a Tony Award as Best Actress in Play) for a revival of Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge.

Allison's grandfather, Stuart Janney, owned many racehorses, including the infamous Ruffian.

Martin Sheen and Allison Janney, both of The West Wing, were both born in Dayton, Ohio.