Janelle James
Born
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
EducationFashion 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.

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

  • 2017: Black and Mild[25]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2017 The Rundown with Robin Thede[9] N/A Writer
2017 Crashing[10] Julie 1 episode
2018 The Comedy Line-Up[5] Herself Stand-up special
2019 Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks[26] Herself 1 episode
2020–2021 Black Monday[10] Joyce Recurring role, 4 episodes; also writer
2020 Corporate[10] Maggie 1 episode
2020–2022 Central Park[10] Investor #2, Fran, Martha Voice, recurring role, 11 episodes; also writer
2021–present Abbott Elementary[11] Ava Coleman Main role
2021 The Standups[11] Herself Stand-up special
2022 Life & Beth[11] Aminata 1 episode
2022 Tuca & Bertie Partridgina Voice, 1 episode
2023 Star Trek: Lower Decks Katrot Voice, 1 episode
2024 Kite Man: Hell Yeah![27] Queen of Fables Voice

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2020 Tom of Your Life[28] Agent Parker

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2022 Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Abbott Elementary Won [30]
Dorian Awards Best Supporting TV Performance Nominated [31]
Gotham Independent Film Awards Outstanding Performance in a New Series Nominated [32]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy Won [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 Series Nominated [35]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Won [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 Series Nominated [38]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [39]
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Pending [40]

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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