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Can You Recognize This Oscar-Winning Star After Her Stunning Transformation?

BBG News

On a seldom occasion, an actress who won an Oscar left her admirers surprised when she made a public appearance in Los Angeles on a Wednesday.

As an ardent admirer, let me share this: Last week, the venerable, Academy Award-winning actress (who brilliantly portrayed Tonya Harding’s resilient mother in I, Tonya back in 2017) managed to slip under the radar with her signature sunglasses and a baseball cap. She was spotted casually grabbing some pastries at an exclusive café nestled in the heart of Santa Monica’s high-end neighborhood.

In casual attire consisting of a plain white blouse and worn-out denim pants, this Boston native appeared to be miles away from her glamorous red carpet appearances, having been notably awarded four Emmys for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg in The West Wing.

In a marked difference, she portrayed a character with sexually repressed tendencies during the 1950s in the TV series Masters of Sex on Showtime. (This version attempts to maintain the original meaning while using simpler language and avoiding jargon.)

Later, during her run as character Bonnie Plunkett, a recovering addict, on the long-lasting CBS sitcom Mom (2013-2021), she earned another pair of Emmy awards for her remarkable acting display.

Can you guess the fabulous actress?

If you said Allison Janney, you’re right! 

The renowned actress was awarded an Oscar for her gripping portrayal of LaVona Golden, a chain-smoking, bird-perched, no-nonsense mother figure to Tonya Harding, as depicted in the film “I, Tonya.

Screenwriter Steven Rogers tailored the character specifically for Janney and adamantly declined to sell the script until she was given the part.

She later described the part as one of the most demanding of her career.

Critics praised Janney’s performance, particularly noting that she stole the spotlight in every scene as the harsh character of LaVona, whose nodding went beyond stern discipline. (Washington Post’s Michael O’Sullivan)

In 2017, Janney revealed that the role resonated with her in more ways than one. 

As I shared with NPR, my aspirations once soared towards becoming an Olympic figure skater myself. I possessed an elegance that was quite remarkable, but alas, standing at six feet tall, the intricate acrobatics necessary for competitive figure skating proved challenging for me to execute effectively.

When the incident involving Tonya Harding occurred, I found myself captivated – I’ve always been a fan of figure skating, and it has consistently played a significant role in my life.

Allison Janney, born on November 19, 1959, in Boston, was brought up in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. Her stardom wasn’t an instant phenomenon.

Initially, her acting career featured parts such as a humorous, 1940s-style comedy set in black and white (Morton & Hayes), along with appearances on daytime dramas like As the World Turns and Guiding Light, where she portrayed one of the Spaulding maids for close to two years.

A significant turning point in her career occurred when Aaron Sorkin noticed her performance in Primary Colors and offered her the role of White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg on NBC’s The West Wing. This part ultimately established her as one of television’s most powerful performers.

Janney has never married and has no children, something she’s spoken about openly.

 ‘I’ve never had that instinct to have kids,’ she once said. ‘I’m at peace with it.’

At present, she’s maintaining her momentum – starring alongside Blake Lively in the sequel of last year’s cult favorite, Another Simple Favor, which carries a surprising plotline.

As I delve deeper into my professional journey, I’m constantly reminded of how far from average I am. Once a passionate ice-skater, today I stand as an Emmy winner and an Academy Award recipient – a transformation that defies the ordinary.

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2025-05-07 18:35

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