Allison Janney Recalls Agent's 'Aliens and Lesbians' Advice
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- Allison Janney appeared as the inaugural guest on CNN's new interview series "Coming Up," hosted by former Variety chief correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister.
- Janney recounted that an agent early in her career told her she could only play "aliens and lesbians" because of her height, quipping: "I haven't played an alien yet. So maybe I'll play an alien!"
- Janney contrasted her tall, imposing physical presence with her inner personality, saying she's "always been very shy and not totally comfortable speaking as myself," which is why she loves acting.
- Over a 37-year career, Janney has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards — four for "The West Wing," two for "Mom," and one for guest starring on "Masters of Sex" — plus an Oscar for "I, Tonya."
- Janney most recently starred in the Netflix political thriller "The Diplomat."
- Janney called herself "living proof" that women's careers in Hollywood can improve with age, while acknowledging that ageism and pay inequality still persist in the industry.
Why it matters: Janney's anecdote exposes how early-career talent judgments in Hollywood can clash with where a performer ultimately lands — her 'aliens and lesbians' typecasting note came despite a career that went on to win 7 Emmys and an Oscar. Her admission of lingering shyness despite 37 years of award-winning work complicates the conventional confidence narrative for top-tier performers.
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