Allison Janney was known as Claudia Jean “C.J.” Cregg on the television series The West Wing.  From season one to six, she portrayed the White House Press Secretary in the administration of President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and then became the White House Chief of Staff for the duration of season seven.  Having a sharp, well-spoken and witty persona, she was offered many positions in both government and private sectors, but, instead, opted to manage a charitable organization towards the end.  In a flash-forward feature, it was revealed that C.J. found her peace with her family, consisting of husband Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield) and their child.  In the coming months, she'll be extending her movie credentials with several drama and comedy projects.

In the film Juno, the former West Wing actress will be featured in a drama-comedy plot about an offbeat young mother who makes an unusual and bizarre decision regarding her unborn child.  Also staring Ellen Page (ReGenesis) and Michael Cera (Arrested Development), the film is currently in post-production stages and is expected to hit the theatres before the year ends.

Also slated for this year are the comedy Pretty Ugly People and the drama film Margaret.  Both movies have already finished filming and features Janney as a supporting character.

After her stint on The West Wing, Allison Janney continued to appear on several television shows like Two and a Half Men.  On the big screen, she became part of the Hairspray, in which she played Prudy Pingleton, along with John Travolta and Zac Efron (High School Musical).


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of MSN)