Allison Janney is an award-winning American Actress. She was born on November 19, 1959, in Boston, Massachusetts. Although some online biographies associate her birthplace with Ohio, her official website confirms that she was born in Boston. Her family later moved to Ohio, eventually settling in Dayton when she was five years old.
Janney attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre History. While studying there, she auditioned for a production directed by Kenyon alumnus Paul Newman. Newman and his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, encouraged her interest in acting.
After college, Janney studied acting at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse, completing its two-year program and studying the Meisner technique. She also attended a two-week summer program at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her official biography specifically notes that she attended the RADA program but did not graduate from the academy.
At 6 feet tall, Janney has often spoken openly about her height. She once described herself humorously as “5 feet 12 inches,” and in interviews has directly stated that she is six feet tall.
Career
Allison Janney spent years building her career through theater, television, and smaller screen roles before becoming an internationally recognized performer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, she worked in off-Broadway productions and appeared in television projects such as Morton & Hayes, Law & Order, Guiding Light, and As the World Turns.
Her major television breakthrough arrived in 1999 when she began playing White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg in NBC’s political drama The West Wing. The role became one of the defining performances of her career and earned Janney four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Janney later found another major television success as Bonnie Plunkett in the CBS sitcom Mom. She won Primetime Emmy Awards for the role in both 2014 and 2015. She also earned an Emmy for portraying Margaret Scully in Masters of Sex. The Television Academy lists Janney as a seven-time Emmy winner.
Her movie career includes memorable performances in films such as American Beauty, The Hours, Juno, Hairspray, The Help, Spy, Bombshell, and I, Tonya. Her portrayal of LaVona Golden, Tonya Harding’s mother, in I, Tonya brought her some of the biggest honors of her career.
Janney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for I, Tonya at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. She also won the Golden Globe for supporting actress for the same performance.
Her career remains active. For the 2026 Emmy Awards, the Television Academy lists Janney as a nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for playing President Grace Penn in Netflix’s The Diplomat. You can also read about Chelsea Peretti.
Quick Facts
| Quick Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Allison Brooks Janney |
| Nickname | Allison |
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1959 |
| Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 63 kg (138 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-35 inches |
| Bra Size | 34B |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
Interesting Facts About Allison Janney
- She once dreamed of becoming a competitive figure skater. Janney trained seriously when she was younger, but a major accident as a teenager affected that path.
- She suffered a serious accident at 17. Janney ran through a glass door and badly injured her leg, an event that contributed to the end of her skating ambitions.
- Paul Newman helped encourage her acting career. She met Newman when he returned to Kenyon College to direct a production in which she auditioned and was cast.
- Joanne Woodward also encouraged her training. Janney later attended the Neighborhood Playhouse, where she studied the Meisner acting technique.
- She did not graduate from RADA. Contrary to some older biographies, Janney attended a two-week RADA summer program and later publicly clarified the distinction herself.
- She has seven Emmy Awards. Her wins include performances in The West Wing, Mom, and Masters of Sex.
- She won an Oscar for I, Tonya. Her performance as LaVona Golden earned the 2018 Academy Award for Actress in a Supporting Role.
- She has embraced her natural gray hair. Janney has discussed how freeing it felt to stop relying on frequent hair coloring and extensions.
FAQ
How tall is Allison Janney?
Allison Janney is 6 feet 0 inches tall, which equals approximately 1.83 meters or 183 centimeters.
What is Allison Janney’s weight?
Allison Janney’s weight is 63 kg or 138 pounds.
What are Allison Janney’s body measurements?
Allison Janney’s body measurements are 34-25-35 inches.
What shoe size does Allison Janney wear?
Allison Janney wears a US shoe size 11.
What is Allison Janney’s bra size?
Allison Janney’s bra size is 34B.
What is Allison Janney’s full name?
Her full birth name is Allison Brooks Janney. Her official biography uses this full name and confirms that she was born in Boston on November 19, 1959.
Where was Allison Janney born?
Allison Janney was born in Boston, Massachusetts, not Dayton, Ohio. Her family later settled in Dayton when she was five, which explains why some biographies strongly associate her with Ohio.
How many Emmy Awards has Allison Janney won?
Allison Janney has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards. Four came from her performance as C.J. Cregg in The West Wing, while additional wins came from Mom and Masters of Sex.
Did Allison Janney win an Oscar?
Yes. Allison Janney won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2018 for playing LaVona Golden in I, Tonya.
Conclusion
Allison Janney has built a remarkable career across television, film, and theater. Standing 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) tall, she is known not only for her distinctive presence but for acclaimed performances in The West Wing, Mom, and I, Tonya. Her career includes seven Emmy wins, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe, while her work continues to earn major recognition, including a 2026 Emmy nomination for The Diplomat.
For readers searching for Allison Janney measurements, height, weight, bra size, and shoe size, the most reliable publicly supported figures are her 6-foot height and US size-11 shoes. Her reported 63 kg weight, 34-25-35 body measurements, and 34B bra size come from secondary celebrity-profile sources and should therefore be treated as approximate rather than official personal records.