Allison Janney

I'm actually a pretty shy person in real life with new people. ”

The loss of my brother was a huge moment, a life-changer for me. ”

I've always been a figure skater and ballet dancer. I love physical comedy, and any chance that I get to do that... that is so me. ”

The only guilty pleasure I have is pasta. ”

Politics scared the crap out of me because I didn't grow up in a family where we talked about anything, really, except, 'Pass the peas, and do this.'... We didn't really have political discussions at the dinner table. I didn't learn how to watch or listen to politics. ”

I've never been with a group of people for that long. I mean, even my family I don't think I know as intimately as the people I worked with on 'West Wing.' ”

I did Alan Ball's 'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,' and then he put me in 'American Beauty.' Everything started to happen from all the years I put into the theater in New York City, and working, and having great parents who supported me through that. ”

I'd like to make really important movies, like American Beauty. I was really proud to be a part of that movie. ”

I feel better when I'm working. I tend to not know who I am when I'm not working. That worries me a little bit... I've been fortunate to be so busy, but I haven't developed any other skills. ”

At times, maybe I'm too competitive for my own good. ”