Aside from being a top actress, Janney's also a great interview and tells PopEater what it's like to be discovered by Paul Newman, how 'Juno' is not the film teens recognize her for most, why Meryl Streep gives a mean facelift and how she utilized her considerable height to create a unique and lasting Hollywood career.
"I missed out on being the ingénue, the love interest," Janney, 51, admits. "And I think because of that it's given me a longer shelf life, and I'm happier for that. I want to do this for the rest of my life."
I remember first noticing you in 'Primary Colors.' You had a bit part, and you were hilarious.
Thank you. That's how I got 'West Wing.' Aaron Sorkin saw me in that and thought who's that? Well that's what he told me anyway. I love that story.
In 'Mr. Sunshine' you play the owner of a sports arena.
You never know what happens in these arenas after, like, the Lakers play. The owners have to ring in other acts like rock stars or a circus. It's just a great backdrop for lots of different acts to come in, and it's a great backdrop for our show.
Are you happy to be back on TV?
I just like to shake it up. I'm always "the grass is greener." If I'm doing Broadway I think I want to go back to a movie. If I'm doing a movie I think I want to go back to TV because if I'm doing a movie I'm in a hotel somewhere, and I've got three dogs, and I miss them. I like to do everything. I'm just going to keep doing different things in my career. Also I like the steady paycheck of TV, plus I love Matthew, and it's a comedy, and I get to be as silly as I can be, which is pretty silly. I enjoy being encouraged to be as big as I can be because I usually do go big.
Speaking of, you're pretty tall (6 ft.). Has that ever been a hindrance in your career?
I think the thing it did for me is that when I was younger I was always playing 40-year-old women when I was 28. I had to grow into my height in terms of my age. I missed out on being the ingénue, the love interest, and I think because of that it's given me a longer shelf life, and I'm happier for that. I want to do this for the rest of my life.
You were discovered by Paul Newman?
When I was in college he directed me in a play. He and his wife Joanne Woodward encouraged me to go study in New York. She's always been there for me, a mentor of sorts, and helped me get started because I was timid and not sure of my talents. I wasn't sure I could call myself an actor for a very long time. I finally started getting breaks when I was in my late 30s.
Did you ever feel like giving up?
All the time, all the time. If there was anything else I could do I probably would have done it. I went and did an aptitude test, and they said I'd make an excellent systems analyst, and since I didn't know what the hell that was I stuck with acting.
Does every teenage girl love you because of 'Juno'?
Gosh, I don't know. I do get recognized for it, but I get recognized for 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' more. That's an underground cult film. So many teens come up to me from that.
How cool that you got to play Meryl Streep's lover in 'The Hours.'
I was terrified, and then I met her and got to hang out with her and found her to be so open and easy to be around.
Did she slip you the tongue?
(Laughs) No! But she gave me a nice facelift while she held my face. She was so cute. She was like, "The lighting's not so great, and I'm going to do you a favor." She held my face in a certain way that made me look younger.
Ever worked with any huge a-holes?
Um, oh God, I don't think I've ever had. Actually there is a couple, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it.
Really? And I was just about to ask you for names!
I couldn't, I wouldn't! There are two people in mind. Two people who I would never work with again.
You know I'd give you my first born to get their names.
(Laughs). I couldn't do it. I'm scared I even said that.
Don't worry. You didn't even say if they were male or female.
Oh, that's right.
And besides I don't think Aaron Sorkin ('West Wing' creator) would mind if you said his name.
(Laughs) He is definitely not one!
Boy, he's on a roll right now.
Oh my God. I'm so excited for him right now. It's truly so well deserved. I just wish I was in everything he wrote.
Didn't you say to him, 'Hey I could have played one of those college students!'?
I know! I can do anything! Doesn't everybody know that?
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