Allison Janney

Allison Janney, second from left, applauds costar Kirsten Dunst, center, in a scene from the 1999 film "Drop Dead Gorgeous." Janney got her start on the small screen with roles on the soap operas "As The World Turns" and "Guiding Light."

Allison Janney sits on the lap of "West Wing" costar Martin Sheen at the 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 2000. Janney had a reason to be happy -- she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on the show.

Allison Janney poses for photographers as she arrives at the 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2001. She was nominated for her portrayal of Press Secretary C.J. Cregg on "The West Wing."

Allison Janney, left, poses with costars Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman at the premiere of the film "The Hours" in Westwood, Calif., on Dec. 18, 2002. Janney played Streep's lesbian lover in the film.

Allison Janney arrives at the 100th Episode celebration for "The West Wing" in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 1, 2003. While working on the show, Janney met several times with former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers to ensure her performance was accurate.

Allison Janney jokes around with fellow SAG nominee Sean Hayes as the two arrive for the 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 2005. Both were up for awards -- Hayes for his work on "Will and Grace," Janney for "The West Wing."

Aside from her television work, Janney is also a noted stage actress who received a Tony nomination for her performance in Arthur Miller's play "A View From The Bridge." Here she attends the 59th Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 5, 2006.

Allison Janney poses for photographers at the Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada" in Los Angeles on June 22, 2006. Janney has received a 2006 Emmy nomination for her work on "The West Wing," her sixth nomination for that role.