Allison Janney Quotes

Powerful Allison Janney for Daily Growth

About Allison Janney

Allison Brooks Janney, an illustrious figure in the world of acting, was born on November 19, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio. Raised by her mother, Jervanis "Jerry" Macy, a museum curator, and her father, Jervis Spencer Janney Jr., a real estate broker, she developed an early interest in performing arts through her school plays. Janney's professional acting career began in the late 1980s with appearances on popular TV shows like 'Trapper John, M.D.' and 'St. Elsewhere'. However, it was her role as C.J. Cregg in 'The West Wing' (1999-2006) that catapulted her to international stardom, earning her three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In 2009, she ventured into voice acting, providing the voice of Mayor Charlotte Pimple on 'Archer', a role that would continue until 2018. Her portrayal of Bonnie Plunkett in 'Mom' (2013-present) has also garnered critical acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards. Janney's film career includes roles in 'Julie & Julia' (2009), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the blockbuster 'Minions' (2015). In 2017, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as LaVona Golden in 'I, Tonya'. Janney's influences range from legendary actresses like Bette Davis to contemporary performers like Meryl Streep. She is known for her versatility, comedic timing, and emotional depth, making her one of the most respected figures in Hollywood today. Her biography serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"It's a wonderful life, if you've the wit to seize it."

This quote by Allison Janney conveys that life is full of opportunities and potential for happiness, fulfillment, and success. The key lies in recognizing these possibilities and taking the initiative to make the most of them. It suggests that one should not passively wait for good things to happen but actively seek and seize life's wonders when they present themselves.


"I'm a highly emotional person and I wear my heart on my sleeve."

Allison Janney's quote suggests that she is someone who openly expresses and displays her feelings, often strongly and directly, just as one would if their heart was literally visible on their sleeve. This statement implies a vulnerability, sensitivity, and authenticity in her emotional responses to the world around her.


"Everybody's got a story. Some people don't get to tell their own."

This quote emphasizes the idea that everyone has unique experiences, perspectives, and stories worth sharing. However, not everyone is given the opportunity or platform to tell their own story. It could refer to underrepresented individuals whose voices are often silenced, overlooked, or ignored in society. By recognizing this truth, it encourages empathy, understanding, and the fostering of spaces where all stories can be heard and appreciated.


"You must know what you stand for, or you'll end up just standing around."

This quote by Allison Janney emphasizes the importance of having a clear understanding of one's values, beliefs, and principles. It suggests that without a solid sense of identity, purpose, or direction, a person may find themselves aimlessly drifting through life, rather than actively pursuing their goals and making meaningful progress. By knowing what you stand for, you can channel your energy, decisions, and actions towards those things that align with your core values, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and productive life.


"When you don't have the answers, and you find yourself struggling to understand, that's when you have to listen the most."

This quote highlights the importance of listening, particularly in situations where we are uncertain or struggle to comprehend. It suggests that when faced with complex or challenging issues, the most effective response is not just to give answers, but to actively listen. By truly hearing and understanding others' perspectives, we can gain valuable insights and wisdom, ultimately leading us closer to the truth or solution we seek. In essence, it advocates for empathy, humility, and a willingness to learn from others when we lack knowledge or understanding.


It's a great way to start the day, hearing you've been nominated for an Emmy. It's just thrilling.

- Allison Janney

Start, Been, Great Way, Thrilling

The way you talk to yourself sometimes is terrible! I hear myself, and I go, 'I can't believe you're talking to my friend Allison like that!' It's really terrible, the things we say to ourselves.

- Allison Janney

Myself, Sometimes, Like, Allison

I definitely paid my dues, and I'm grateful for everything and for my good friends.

- Allison Janney

Grateful, Good Friends, Dues

I know there are a lot of tall, beautiful actresses like Uma Thurman and Nicole Kidman who are my height, but they're still half the size of me!

- Allison Janney

Like, Still, Half, None

I was a late bloomer in a lot of areas in life.

- Allison Janney

Late, Late Bloomer, Lot, Bloomer

I go on a hunt for things that make sense to me and that I can actively play as an actress.

- Allison Janney

Play, Actress, Hunt, Actively

I've never been with a group of people for that long. I mean, even my family I don't think I know as intimately as the people I worked with on 'West Wing.'

- Allison Janney

People, Think, Been, West Wing

Most Republicans call the show 'The Left Wing.'

- Allison Janney

Call, Most, Republicans, Left Wing

Birthdays are getting harder as I get older.

- Allison Janney

Older, Get, Getting, Birthdays

I did Alan Ball's 'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,' and then he put me in 'American Beauty.' Everything started to happen from all the years I put into the theater in New York City, and working, and having great parents who supported me through that.

- Allison Janney

Beauty, Dress, Through, Alan

I'm one of those actors who fall into the camp of never wanting to look at themselves on camera ever, thank you very much. I do not and will not, because I am my worst critic.

- Allison Janney

Wanting, Critic, Very, Camp

I love the wilder, more outlandish characters that are hard to make believable. Those are the ones I want to play.

- Allison Janney

Love, Play, More, Outlandish

The fact that 'Mom' is not joke, joke, joke - and is investing in these characters and their lives, things that really happen to people - I think it's resonating, and that's why people are tuning into it and not just dismissing it as a multi-cam sitcom.

- Allison Janney

Fact, I Think, Resonating, Investing

I'm a big girl, but I have a delicate constitution emotionally. If I've been humiliated in some audition, I just cry all the way home and think, 'Oh my God, I suck.'

- Allison Janney

Big, Some, Delicate, Way Home

My dream is to have a creativity barn, in my back yard, which is full of musical instruments and every kind of paint and oils and paper, and you can just go in and make something.

- Allison Janney

Yard, Which, Musical, Oils

As a teenager, I played men in my first two plays.

- Allison Janney

Men, Played, Plays, Teenager

'Talullah' is a movie I'm really proud of. Sian Heder is the director/writer, and I think she's extraordinarily talented. I think it was a beautiful story.

- Allison Janney

Proud, Think, I Think, Extraordinarily

Politics scared the crap out of me because I didn't grow up in a family where we talked about anything, really, except, 'Pass the peas, and do this.'... We didn't really have political discussions at the dinner table. I didn't learn how to watch or listen to politics.

- Allison Janney

Politics, About, Discussions, Table

I have the power of my height. Growing up, it was a total drawback. There was nothing good about it at all.

- Allison Janney

Good, Nothing, About, Drawback

Someone said I wasn't attractive enough. People say those things, but they make you stronger. Then you can win an Emmy and think, ha, ha, ha.

- Allison Janney

Think, Say, Attractive, Emmy

The first job where I actually made money was on 'Guiding Light,' the soap opera. And I played a maid. My name was Ginger, and I had a Brooklyn accent - a really bad one, if I remember correctly.

- Allison Janney

Opera, Bad, I Remember, Ginger

I spent a lot of time in the trenches in New York doing a lot of off-off-off Broadway theater.

- Allison Janney

Doing, New, Lot, Trenches

Great drama is all about conflict, and what's a better conflict than Republican-Democrat?

- Allison Janney

Drama, Better, Than, Conflict

It's a beautiful feeling to be out on the ice, breathing in the cold air and hearing the blades hit the ice. It's kind of romantic.

- Allison Janney

Kind, Breathing, Ice, Hearing

I love arts and crafts.

- Allison Janney

Love, Arts, I Love, Crafts

If I could stomach the awful part of being a veterinarian, which involves sticking your hand up animals' behinds, I would be a vet.

- Allison Janney

Could, Involves, Which, Vet

I am lucky enough to have Aaron Sorkin write what I have to say.

- Allison Janney

I Am, Lucky, Say, Aaron

I can tell when men are threatened by my height.

- Allison Janney

Men, Tell, Threatened, Height

I felt like my career started late, and I think it was because of my height - and maybe some of my confidence issues.

- Allison Janney

Career, Think, Some, Height

My height does help me. I can hide a multitude of sins in my height.

- Allison Janney

Help, Hide, Multitude, Height

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