Janel Moloney

Last updated
Janel Moloney
Janel Moloney (15087095697) (cropped).jpg
Born (1969-10-03) October 3, 1969 (age 54) [1] [2] [3]
OccupationActress
Years active1987–present
SpouseMarcelo Zarvos
Children2

Janel Moloney (born October 3, 1969) is an American actress, best known for her role as Donna Moss on the television series The West Wing , a role for which she received nominations for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2004. From 2014 to 2017, she starred on the HBO drama The Leftovers .

Contents

Career

Television

Her early work included television guest roles on ER , Sports Night , The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. , and Murder, She Wrote . Starting in 1999, Moloney had a main role on The West Wing as Donna Moss, beginning as an assistant to Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) before pursuing further ambitions in the next election. [4] Moloney was originally credited only as a guest star, but she appeared in every episode of the first season. From the second season onward, Moloney was listed in the main credits. Moloney has received two Emmy Award nominations, one in 2002 and one in 2004, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama. [5] [6]

Moloney appeared in the television film Bang Bang You're Dead with Thomas Cavanagh and Randy Harrison, which was first broadcast on October 13, 2002, on Showtime. [7] She played the part of Amber Frey in the made-for-TV movie Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution, broadcast May 25, 2005 on CBS. [8] In 2007, Moloney played Dana Chase, who has a relationship with Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) in six episodes of the second season of Brotherhood . [9]

In 2008, Moloney appeared in one episode ("It's a Wonderful Lie") of House M.D. [10] In 2008, she guest-starred in an episode of 30 Rock . Moloney appeared in the 3rd installment of the Lstudio.com web series Puppy Love.

In 2009, she appeared in the US series Life on Mars as Professor Pat Olsen in the episode "Revenge of the Broken Jaw". She also appeared in the episode "Faithfully" of Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Allison Wyler.

Theatre

In 2007, Moloney made her Off-Broadway stage debut as Theresa in the Playwrights Horizons production 100 Saints You Should Know, written by Kate Fodor and directed by Ethan McSweeny. [11] She appeared in the Off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore in September through October 2, 2011. [12]

Film

Moloney starred in the 2010 feature film Armless , as Anna. [13] She made a brief appearance as Earlene in the 1995 Walter Hill directed western Wild Bill, and appears in the 2013 film Concussion .

Personal life

Moloney has a son, Julius, with composer Marcelo Zarvos. [14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993 Dream Lover Alice Keller
1995 Safe Hairdresser
Wild Bill Earlene
1997' 'Til There Was You Beebee Moss, Age 25
1998 Desperate Measures Sarah Davis
The Souler Opposite Thea Douglas
2002 Bang Bang You're Dead Ellie Milford
2005Just PrayCheryl LawsonShort
2010 Armless Anna
2013 Concussion Pru
2014Stay Then GoMarion Baird
2016Half the Perfect WorldGina
2017 The Leisure Seeker Jane

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987 Roomies Punk Co-EdEpisode: "The One That Got Away"
1991To Save a ChildJanelle LowryTV movie
...And Then She Was GoneMaryTV movie
1992Double EdgeJenTV movie
1993 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Mary SimsEpisode: "Pirates!"
Bakersfield P.D. SarahEpisode: "Lucky 13"
1995 ER Mrs. Nancy LarsonEpisode: "The Birthday Party"
Murder, She Wrote Maria CorbinEpisode: "Unwilling Witness"
1996 High Incident Bridesmaid McManusEpisode: "Till Death Do Us Part"
1998 Sports Night Monica BrazeltonEpisode: "The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
1999–2006 The West Wing Donna Moss 149 episodes
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2001, 2002)
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2002, 2004)
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2003–2006)
2005Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution Amber Frey TV movie
2007 Brotherhood Dana Chase5 episodes
2008 House MaggieEpisode: "It's a Wonderful Lie"
Puppy LoveAllegra
30 Rock Jessica SpeyerEpisode: "Reunion"
2009 Life on Mars Pat OlsenEpisode: "Revenge of Broken Jaw"
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Allison WylerEpisode: "Faithfully"
Captain Cook's Extraordinary AtlasMarion MalloyTV movie
2012Walk and Talk the Vote: West Wing Reunion - Bridget Mary McCormackDonna MossVideo short
2013 The Good Wife Kathy EisenstadtEpisode: "A Precious Commodity"
2014–2017 The Leftovers Mary JamisonRecurring (season 1), main role (season 2–3)
2014 Alpha House Senator Peg Stanchion4 episodes
2015 The Blacklist Kat Goodson2 episodes
2017 American Crime Raelyn5 episodes
2018 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Lorraine FranchellaEpisode: "Dare"
2018–2019 The Affair Ariel2 episodes
2020 A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote Donna MossTV special
The Undoing Sally Morrison2 episodes
2021 Bull ADA SutherlandEpisode: "Fallen Idols"
2021 FBI Hannah ThompsonEpisode: "Fire and Rain"
2022 Law & Order: Organized Crime Deputy Inspector Lillian Goldfarb5 episodes

Related Research Articles

<i>The West Wing</i> American political drama television series (1999–2006)

The West Wing is an American serial political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006. The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior personnel are located, during the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martha Plimpton</span> American actress (born 1970)

Martha Plimpton is an American actress, activist, and former model. Her feature-film debut was in Rollover (1981); she subsequently rose to prominence in the Richard Donner film The Goonies (1985). She has also appeared in The Mosquito Coast (1986), Shy People (1987), Running on Empty (1988), Parenthood (1989), Samantha (1992), Small Town Murder Songs (2011), Frozen II (2019), and Mass (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edie Falco</span> American actress (born 1963)

Edith Falco is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos (1999–2007), and Nurse Jackie Peyton on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie (2009–2015). She also portrayed Diane Whittlesey in HBO's prison drama Oz (1997–2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurie Metcalf</span> American actress (born 1955)

Laura Elizabeth Metcalf is an American actress. Metcalf is known for her complex and versatile roles across the stage and screen. She has received various accolades throughout her career spanning more than four decades, including two Tony Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and three Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Linney</span> American actress (born 1964)

Laura Leggett Linney is an American actress. She is the recipient of several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, and has been nominated for three Academy Awards and five Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allison Janney</span> American actress (born 1959)

Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress. Known for her performances across the screen and stage, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stockard Channing</span> American actress (born 1944)

Stockard Channing is an American actress. She played Betty Rizzo in the film Grease (1978) and First Lady Abbey Bartlet in the NBC television series The West Wing (1999–2006). She also originated the role of Ouisa Kittredge in the stage and film versions of Six Degrees of Separation; the 1993 film version earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She was also one of two comic foils of The Number Painter on Sesame Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Bowen</span> American actress (born 1970)

Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020), for which she received widespread critical acclaim and won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, in 2011 and 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathleen Noone</span> American actress (b. 1945)

Kathleen Noone is an American actress. She began her career as a singer in nightclubs and performed in musicals off-Broadway before making her television debut in the CBS daytime soap opera, As the World Turns (1975–1976).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Spencer (actor)</span> American actor (1946–2005)

John Spencer was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Leo McGarry on the NBC political drama series The West Wing and for his role as attorney Tommy Mullaney in L.A. Law. His performance on The West Wing earned him a Primetime Emmy Award in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swoosie Kurtz</span> American actress (born 1944)

Swoosie Kurtz is an American actress. She is the recipient of an Emmy Award and two Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Jones</span> American actress (born 1956)

Cherry Jones is an American actress. She started her career in theater as a founding member of the American Repertory Theater in 1980 before transitioning into film and television. Celebrated for her dynamic roles on stage and screen, she has received various accolades, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards, as well as nominations for an Olivier Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kathryn Joosten</span> American actress (1939–2012)

Kathryn Joosten was an American actress. Her best known roles include Dolores Landingham on NBC's The West Wing from 1999 to 2002 and Karen McCluskey on ABC's Desperate Housewives from 2005 to 2012, for which she won two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2005 and 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Lawrence</span> American actress (born 1961)

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence is an American actress. From 1993 to 1999, she starred as Sylvia Costas in the ABC drama series, NYPD Blue. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She received three additional Emmy Awards nominations for her later television performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valerie Mahaffey</span> American actress (born 1953)

Valerie Mahaffey is an American character actress and producer. She began her career starring in the NBC daytime soap opera The Doctors (1979–81), for which in 1980 she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Day Before</span> 4th episode of the 3rd season of The West Wing

"On the Day Before" is the forty-eighth The West Wing episode and fourth of the third season. It originally aired on NBC on October 31, 2001. The episode deals with a suicide bomber in Jerusalem, as well as continued negotiations over the estate tax. Written by Aaron Sorkin, Paul Redford, and Nanda Chitre, and directed by Christopher Misiano, the episode contains the first appearances by H. Richard Greene as Congressman Robert Royce and Thomas Kopache as Assistant Secretary of State Bob "Bobby" Slatterly. There are also guest appearances by Kevin Tighe, Cliff DeYoung and Mary Mara. Janel Moloney was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance in this episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Jarrow</span> American screenwriter

Kyle Jarrow is a Los Angeles–based writer and rock musician.

<i>The West Wing</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American political drama television series The West Wing aired in the United States on NBC from October 4, 2000 to May 16, 2001 and consisted of 22 episodes.

<i>The West Wing</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the American political drama television series The West Wing aired in the United States on NBC from October 3, 2001 to May 22, 2002 and consisted of 21 episodes and 2 special episodes.

<i>The West Wing</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of the American political drama television series The West Wing aired in the United States on NBC from September 24, 2003, to May 19, 2004, and consisted of 22 episodes. This was the first season with executive producer John Wells as showrunner after series creator Aaron Sorkin departed the series at the end of the previous season.

References

  1. 1 2 Chase's editors (2022). Chase's Calendar of Events 2023: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days . Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 494. ISBN   978-1-63671-068-6.
  2. "Almanac: On This Date; Today's Birthdays". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 3, 2002. p. 2. ProQuest   1871709775. Rock musician Tommy Lee is 40. Actress Janel Moloney ("The West Wing") is 33. Singer Gwen Stefani ("No Doubt") is 33.
  3. "Today in History: October 3; Today's Birthdays". Telegraph Herald. October 3, 2022. pp. A3. ProQuest   721065571. Rock musician Tommy Lee is 60. Actor Clive Owen is 58. Actor Janel Moloney is 53. Singer Gwen Stefani (No Doubt) is 53.
  4. "'The West Wing' Overview" Archived 2012-07-23 at archive.today allrovi.com, accessed November 28, 2011
  5. "Emmy Awards and Nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Accessed November 28, 2011
  6. "2004 Emmy Nominated" Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Accessed November 28, 2011
  7. Erickson, Hal."'Bang, Bang, You're Dead' Cast and Crew" Archived 2012-07-22 at archive.today allrovi.com, accessed November 28, 2011
  8. Kelleher, Terry, Lipton, Mike, and Sanz, Cynthia."Review: 'Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution' " people.com, May 30, 2005
  9. Mitovich, Matt (2007-05-04). "It's Showtime for West Winger, Princess Leia". TV Guide . Archived from the original on 2017-12-01.
  10. Frette, Bruce."Cheers: From the White House to House'". TV Guide, January 30, 2008
  11. Brantley, Ben."Theater Review: '100 Saints You Should Know'" The New York Times, September 19, 2007
  12. Broadway.com Staff."Janel Moloney, Adriane Lenox and Joyce Van Patten Join 'Love, Loss and What I Wore'" broadway.com, August 31, 2011
  13. Nelson, Rob."'Armless' Film Review" Variety, January 24, 2010
  14. "Births and Hitched", Variety , May 3, 2010. Archived from the original