When Allison Janney Met Her Acting Heroes
Let me tell you a story about Allison Janney, the incredibly talented actress who won an Oscar for her role in "I, Tonya." When she accepted the award, she joked, "I did it all by myself," before quickly adding, "There’s nothing further from the truth." And guess who she thanked that might have surprised some folks? Joanne Woodward. Now, you might know Joanne as the legendary actress and the wife of the iconic Paul Newman. What you might not know is that this powerhouse couple played a huge role in Allison's career.
Back in 1978, Allison was just a student at Kenyon College in Ohio, eager to make a name for herself in the world of acting. And guess who showed up to direct a play and inaugurate a new theater? None other than Paul Newman himself. "I was determined to impress him," Allison, now 58, recalls with a laugh. "I figured the best way to do that was to appeal to his love of car racing." So, during her audition, she spun a tale about how she could make the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Dayton to Kenyon in just 70 minutes in her trusty Volkswagen Scirocco. Now, we'll never know if that story actually helped her land a part, but one thing's for sure—she learned a ton from Paul.
That's Paul Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. Quite the duo, huh?
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The Mentorship That Changed Everything
Paul wasn't just a director who showed up, directed a play, and left. He took the time to mentor young actors, including Allison. "He would pull people aside, put his arm around them, and give them direction in a way that was so kind and gentle," she says. "He was the loveliest man." Not only did Allison learn a lot from Paul, but she also formed a lasting friendship with both him and Joanne. After graduating, they encouraged her to move to New York City and even helped her land a job at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse, where Joanne herself had trained. "They mentored me in a way that really made a difference in my life," Allison says with gratitude.
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