Janel Moloney
Encyclopedia
Janel Moloney is an American actress, best known for her role as Donnatella "Donna" Moss
on the television series The West Wing.
, and attended the acting conservatory at SUNY Purchase. During the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign, Moloney was an active supporter of John Kerry
's presidential campaign and made public appearances on its behalf. On February 14, 2010, in New York, Moloney became the mother of a boy, Julian Francis Zarvos, whose father is composer Marcelo Zarvos
.
, Sports Night
, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
and Murder, She Wrote
. In 1999, Moloney became a recurring guest star on The West Wing as Donna Moss
, assistant to Deputy White House
Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
(Bradley Whitford
). Moloney was originally credited only as a guest star, but she appeared in every episode of the first season. From the second season onward, Moloney was listed in the main credits. Moloney has received two Emmy Award
nominations, one in 2002 and one in 2004, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.
Moloney appeared in the TV film Bang, Bang, You're Dead
with Thomas Cavanagh and Randy Harrison
, which was first broadcast on October 13, 2002 on Showtime
. She played the part of Amber Frey in the made-for-tv movie Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution, broadcast May 25, 2005 on CBS
. In 2007, Moloney played Dana Chase, who has a relationship with Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) in six episodes of the 2nd season of Brotherhood.
In 2008, Moloney appeared in one episode ("It's a Wonderful Lie") of House M.D.. In 2008 she guest-starred in an episode of 30 Rock
. Maloney appeared in the 3rd installment of the Lstudio.com Web Series Puppy Love.
In 2009, she appeared in the US series Life on Mars
as Professor Pat Olsen in the episode "Revenge of the Broken Jaw". She also appeared in the episode "Faithfully" of Law and Order: Criminal Intent as Allison Wyler.
stage debut as Theresa in the Playwrights Horizons
production 100 Saints You Should Know, written by Kate Fodor and directed by Ethan McSweeny. She appeared in the Off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore
in September through October 2, 2011.
, as Anna. She made a brief appearance as Earlene in the 1995 Walter Hill directed western Wild Bill.
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
on the television series The West Wing.
Personal life
Born in Woodland Hills, California, Moloney is the niece of actress Christine EbersoleChristine Ebersole
Christine Ebersole is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Ebersole was born in Winnetka, Illinois, where she attended New Trier High School...
, and attended the acting conservatory at SUNY Purchase. During the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign, Moloney was an active supporter of John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
's presidential campaign and made public appearances on its behalf. On February 14, 2010, in New York, Moloney became the mother of a boy, Julian Francis Zarvos, whose father is composer Marcelo Zarvos
Marcelo Zarvos
Marcelo Zarvos is a Brazilian pianist and composer. He began in classical music in his teens and studied at the Berklee College of Music. He is more known for jazz and had success with the album Dualism accompanied by saxophonist Peter Epstein...
.
Television
Her early work included television guest roles on ERER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
, Sports Night
Sports Night
Sports Night is an American television series about a fictional sports news show also called Sports Night. It focuses on the friendships, pitfalls, and ethical issues the creative talent of the program face while trying to produce a good show under constant network pressure...
, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., often referred to as just Brisco or Brisco County,The series is referred to as just Brisco or by Brisco County by the creator and executive producer Carlton Cuse, actors involved with the show, and by many critics. Some examples include:* Cuse, Carlton, DVD extra...
and Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,...
. In 1999, Moloney became a recurring guest star on The West Wing as Donna Moss
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
, assistant to Deputy White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
Josh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
(Bradley Whitford
Bradley Whitford
Bradley Whitford is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman on the NBC television drama The West Wing, as Danny Tripp on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, as Dan Stark in the Fox police buddy-comedy The Good Guys, as...
). Moloney was originally credited only as a guest star, but she appeared in every episode of the first season. From the second season onward, Moloney was listed in the main credits. Moloney has received two Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominations, one in 2002 and one in 2004, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.
Moloney appeared in the TV film Bang, Bang, You're Dead
Bang, Bang, You're Dead (film)
Bang Bang You're Dead is a 2002 American telefilm starring Tom Cavanagh and Ben Foster. It is based on the play Bang Bang You're Dead by William Mastrosimone...
with Thomas Cavanagh and Randy Harrison
Randy Harrison
Randolph Clarke Harrison is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Justin Taylor on the Showtime drama Queer as Folk.-Early life and college:...
, which was first broadcast on October 13, 2002 on Showtime
Showtime
Showtime is an American premium cable television service featuring programming that consists primarily of theatrically released motion pictures, along with original series, made-for-cable movies, and occasional boxing and mixed martial arts matches...
. She played the part of Amber Frey in the made-for-tv movie Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution, broadcast May 25, 2005 on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. In 2007, Moloney played Dana Chase, who has a relationship with Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) in six episodes of the 2nd season of Brotherhood.
In 2008, Moloney appeared in one episode ("It's a Wonderful Lie") of House M.D.. In 2008 she guest-starred in an episode of 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
. Maloney appeared in the 3rd installment of the Lstudio.com Web Series Puppy Love.
In 2009, she appeared in the US series Life on Mars
Life on Mars (U.S. TV series)
Life on Mars was a science fiction crime drama television series which originally aired on ABC from October 9, 2008 to April 1, 2009. It is an adaptation of the BAFTA-winning original UK series of the same name produced by the BBC...
as Professor Pat Olsen in the episode "Revenge of the Broken Jaw". She also appeared in the episode "Faithfully" of Law and Order: Criminal Intent as Allison Wyler.
Theatre
In 2007, Moloney made her Off-BroadwayOff-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
stage debut as Theresa in the Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work....
production 100 Saints You Should Know, written by Kate Fodor and directed by Ethan McSweeny. She appeared in the Off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Love, Loss, and What I Wore
Love, Loss, and What I Wore is a play written by Nora and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. It is organized as a series of monologues and uses a rotating cast of five principal women...
in September through October 2, 2011.
Movies
Moloney starred in the 2010 feature film ArmlessArmless (2010 film)
Armless is a 2010 comedy film directed by Habib Azar and written by Kyle Jarrow, starring Daniel London, Janel Moloney, Matt Walton, Zoe Lister-Jones and Laurie Kennedy....
, as Anna. She made a brief appearance as Earlene in the 1995 Walter Hill directed western Wild Bill.