Allison Janney

Cast as Violet Newstead in "9 to 5: The Musical," based on the film of the same name; earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical

Cast in the big-screen musical "Hairspray," as Prudy Pingleton, Penny's (Amanda Bynes) strict and religious mother

Played the stepmother of a pregnant teen in Jason Reitman's quirky comedy, "Juno"

Voiced Gladys, the president of the local homeowners' association in the animated comedy "Over the Hedge"

Co-starred in Arie Posin's ensemble "The Chumscrubber," a darkly satiric story about life crumbling in the midst of a seemingly idyllic suburbia

Co-starred in the drama "Our Very Own"; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Supporting Female

Played the mother in the feature "How To Deal"

Voiced Peach in the Pixar animated feature "Finding Nemo"

Played Sally Lester, the lesbian lover of Clarissa Vaughn (played by Streep) in the film version of the award-winning novel "The Hours"

Joined the all-female cast of the comedy-drama telepic "A Girl Thing"

Had a memorable supporting role in "Nurse Betty" as an acerbic soap opera writer-producer

Portrayed Chris Cooper's emotionally-detached wife in "American Beauty"

Primetime series debut as C.J. Cregg, the presidential press secretary in the NBC series "The West Wing"; earned Golden Globe (2002, 2003), SAG (2002, 2004, 2005) and Emmy (2003, 2006) nominations for Best Actress

Tackled first Shakespearean role as Kate in "The Taming of the Shrew," opposite Jay O Sanders in NYC's Central Park

Reunited with Tucci for "The Impostors," playing a con artist aboard a luxury liner

Had featured roles in "Private Parts" and "The Ice Storm"

Breakthrough screen role as Ann, the floral shop owner, in "Big Night" a film co-written and co-directed by Tucci

Broadway debut opposite Frank Langella in revival of Noel Coward's "Present Laughter"

Feature film debut, bit role in "The Cowboy Way"

First prominent stage role, "Fat Men in Skirts" by Nicky Silver; first collaboration with Stanley Tucci

Had recurring role of wisecracking maid on the CBS daytime drama "Guiding Light"

After graduation, moved to NYC to attend Neighborhood Playhouse

Injured at a party when after someone stepped on her strapless gown, she ran through a glass door

Appeared in productions at Williamstown Theatre Festival and in NYC theaters

Aspired to be a competitive figure skater

Raised in Dayton, OH

Returned to Broadway opposite Anthony LaPaglia in "A View From the Bridge"; received Tony nomination

While a student at Kenyon auditioned for and won role in a play directed by Paul Newman (a Kenyon alumnus)