Janelle James

Last updated

Janelle James
Born
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Education Fashion Institute of Technology
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • writer
  • actress
Years active2009–present
Children2

Janelle James is an American comedian, actress, and writer. She is best known for her role as Ava Coleman in the ABC television series Abbott Elementary , for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.

Contents

Her writing credits include Black Monday , and she acted on the programs Crashing , Corporate , and Central Park . Her debut comedy album Black and Mild was released in 2017. She was named one of Variety 's 10 Comics to Watch for 2020. [1]

Career

Stand-up and television

While in high school, James stood in line for 12 hours to audition for one of the three annual renditions of MTV's Wanna Be a VJ , which ran from 1998 to 2000. [2] James began her career in 2009 at an open mic she attended while living in Champaign, Illinois. [3] [4] She described her style of comedy as "just talking shit" [3] and her stand-up includes a range of topics such as the Trump administration, motherhood, being a woman over 35, and dating. [5] James named Bill Burr, Hadiyah Robinson, John Early, Wanda Sykes, Richard Pryor, and Kareem Green as favorite comedians. [6] [7]

In 2016, James' work was recognized by Just for Laughs and Brooklyn magazine. [6] She gained wider prominence as the opening act for Chris Rock's 2017 Total Blackout tour. [3] That year, she released her debut comedy album, Black and Mild. [3] The show was recorded at Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis . [4]

She performed on Netflix's 2018 comedy series The Comedy Lineup. [3] She was also slated to perform at the network's inaugural Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival based in Los Angeles in 2020. [8]

James was a staff writer for The Rundown with Robin Thede (2017) and the Showtime comedy Black Monday , and also acted in a recurring role on the show. [9] [10] She has also appeared on the shows Crashing , Corporate , and is both a writer and voice actor for Central Park . [10] She was a featured comic on Netflix's The Standups in 2021. [11]

She gained wide prominence in her role as a main cast member on the ABC comedy Abbott Elementary . [5] [12] Her performance as the self-involved principal Ava Coleman has been hailed by critics. [13] [14] [15] James garnered award nominations including a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, a TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy, a Golden Globe Award, and a Critics' Choice Award. [16] [17] [18] [19]

In 2022, James hosted the ABC game show The Final Straw . [20] She hosted the 2023 Writers Guild of America Awards. [21]

Podcasts

In 2019, she hosted Strong Black Laughs, an interview podcast featuring a variety of established Black comedians, including Luenell and Sherri Shepherd. [22] She hosted You In Danger, Gurl, a comedy podcast about relationship red flags and bizarre dating experiences, in 2020. [23]

Personal life

James was raised in St. Thomas and moved to the United States mainland when she was 16. [24] She resides in Brooklyn, New York and has two sons. [3] [6]

Discography

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017 The Rundown with Robin Thede [9] N/AWriter
Crashing [10] Julie1 episode
2018The Comedy Line-Up [5] HerselfStand-up special
2019 Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks [26] Herself1 episode
2020–2021 Black Monday [10] JoyceRecurring role, 4 episodes; also writer
2020 Corporate [10] Maggie1 episode
2020–2022 Central Park [10] Investor #2, Fran, MarthaVoice, recurring role, 11 episodes; also writer
2021–present Abbott Elementary [11] Ava ColemanMain role
2021 The Standups [11] HerselfStand-up special
2022 Life & Beth [11] Aminata1 episode
Tuca & Bertie PartridginaVoice, 1 episode
2023 Star Trek: Lower Decks KatrotVoice, 1 episode
2024 Kite Man: Hell Yeah! [27] Queen of Fables Voice
Monsters at Work JoyVoice, 1 episode

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2020 Tom of Your Life [28] Agent Parker
2024 The Garfield Movie Olivia

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated WorkResultRef.
2022 Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Abbott Elementary Won [30]
Dorian Awards Best Supporting TV PerformanceNominated [31]
Gotham Independent Film Awards Outstanding Performance in a New SeriesNominated [32]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, ComedyWon [33]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [16]
TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Nominated [19] [34]
2023 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [18]
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Series Nominated [17]
Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted SeriesNominated [35]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesWon [36]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won [37]
2024 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated [38]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesNominated [39]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesNominated [40]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Variety's 10 Comics to Watch". Variety . October 2, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Janelle James on Refusing to Disclose Her Age, Hoping 'Abbott Elementary' Doesn't Last Forever and Why She's Not Interested in 'Sexy' Roles". Variety. April 19, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kai, Maiysha (August 31, 2018). "Pretty, Funny: Comedian Janelle James Ain't No Joke". The Root. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Kozell, Isaac (October 2, 2017). "Janelle James on Her Debut Album 'Black and Mild' and Comedy's Point of No Return". Vulture. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Janelle James on Netflix's 'The Comedy Lineup' and making 'white man power moves'". The Daily Dot. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Chafin, Chris (June 2, 2016). "Brooklyn's 50 Funniest People: Janelle James". Brooklyn Magazine. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ Terrell, Kellee (February 8, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Star Janelle James Is Addicted To Making Us Laugh". HuffPost. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  8. ↑ Turchiano, Danielle (March 2, 2020). "Netflix Is A Joke Fest Brings Weeklong Standup and Improv Events to Los Angeles". Variety. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  9. 1 2 McDonald, Soraya Nadia (October 13, 2017). "With 'The Rundown,' Robin Thede adds a smart new perspective to late-night". Andscape . Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Here Are Variety's 10 Comics To Watch For 2020 | The Comic's Comic". thecomicscomic.com. August 18, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Jones, Marcus. "'Abbott Elementary' star Janelle James talks playing a 'chaotic' principal 'you hate to love'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  12. ↑ Nelson, Jenny (January 6, 2017). "Janelle James (@janellejcomic) on Inanimate Objects and Hot Dudes". Vulture. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Three new sitcoms worth your time — and one that needs time to grow". Los Angeles Times. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ Roush, Matt (January 4, 2022). "Roush Review: Workplace Humor in 'Abbott Elementary,' 'American Auto'". TV Insider. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Everyone should be attending 'Abbott Elementary' : Pop Culture Happy Hour". NPR.org. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2022). "Emmy Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  17. 1 2 Nordyke, Kimberly (January 10, 2023). "Golden Globes: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Nordyke, Kimberly (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (June 16, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ White, Peter (May 23, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary's Janelle James To Host ABC Game Show 'The Final Straw' With Peyton Manning As EP". Deadline. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  21. ↑ MacCary, Julia; Reul, Katie; Flam, Charna (February 17, 2023). "'Abbott Elementary' Star Janelle James to Host Writers Guild Awards (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  22. ↑ "This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Janelle James Takes Over Strong Black Lead". Vulture. November 21, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  23. ↑ "This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Janelle James, Red-Flag Expert". Vulture. September 3, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ Castleberry, Tony (November 17, 2017). "Janelle James returns to Wilmington to deliver more jokes". wect.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Interview: Laughing Along with 'Black and Mild' Comedian Janelle James". Rebellious Magazine. January 29, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks: Season 2, Episode 2". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  27. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (September 14, 2023). "'Harley Quinn' Spin-Off 'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' Ready to Soar with New Teaser". www.animationmagazine.net. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  28. ↑ "TOM OF YOUR LIFE". Burbank International Film Festival. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Janelle James". Shark Party Media. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  30. ↑ Complex, Valerie (June 16, 2022). "6th Annual Black Reel Television Awards Nominations Announced". Deadline. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  31. ↑ Coates, Tyler (June 23, 2022). "'Hacks' and 'Somebody Somewhere' Lead Dorian TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  32. ↑ Phang-Lyn, Tobi (October 25, 2022). "2022 Gotham Awards Nominations Full List". The Gotham. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  33. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (July 7, 2022). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  34. ↑ Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  35. ↑ Hipes, Patrick; Petski, Denise (December 13, 2022). "Film Independent Spirit Awards TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary', 'Pachinko', 'The Bear' 'Severance', More". Deadline. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  36. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (January 12, 2023). "NAACP Image Awards 2023: 'Wakanda Forever,' 'The Woman King' Among Top Film Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  37. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (January 11, 2023). "SAG Awards Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  38. ↑ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (January 14, 2024). "Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Bear lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards: See the full winners list". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  39. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2023). "Emmys 2023: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
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