Let me tell you about Allison Janney, one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. You might know her from "I, Tonya," where she played LaVona Harding, Tonya Harding's tough but oddly lovable mom. Here's the kicker—Allison actually has a skating background. Believe it or not, she was once a figure skater herself! But her skating career took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 17, she accidentally ran through a plate-glass window at a party. That injury nearly cost her a leg and ended her Olympic dreams. Despite leaving the rink behind, Allison says, “I left the skating world, but I never left it in my heart.”
Allison's Golden Year
Fast forward to 2018, and Allison is having the year of her life. She didn’t just win any old award—she took home the Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe and Academy Award for her role in I, Tonya. Now, that's what I call a comeback! The role of LaVona was practically written for her by Steven Rogers, a longtime friend who knew Allison from their days studying acting together in New York City back in the '80s. As Rogers puts it, “No one plays a mess as well as Allison.” And boy, does she ever. LaVona is abrasive, complicated, and yet strangely endearing, and Allison brought all of that to life on screen.
Read also:Rose Byrne Opens Up About Parenthood And Her Role In Instant Family
Of course, these aren't Allison's first acting accolades. She’s been racking up awards for years, including seven Emmys for her incredible performances on shows like The West Wing, Masters of Sex, and her current CBS sitcom, Mom. Her portrayal of a recovering addict on Mom is especially personal. It’s a tribute to her younger brother Hal, who tragically took his own life in 2011 after struggling with addiction. “I lost my brother to addiction,” Allison says. “It was devastating. That’s why when this show came along, I felt like I had to do it for him.”
From Skates to Stage
Allison discovered her passion for acting after her skating career ended, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. At 5'12", she was often told she was too tall for traditional roles. “Saying I’m five feet, 12 inches isn’t lying,” she quips. “An agent once told me I’d only ever be able to play lesbians and aliens.” But Allison didn’t let that discourage her. She enrolled at NYC’s Neighborhood Playhouse, where she got to know legendary actor Paul Newman. “I played ping-pong with him!” she recalls. Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward encouraged her to stick with acting, and soon Allison was working steadily in theater, film, and television.
