{{Short description|American comedian (born 1979)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Janelle James | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|09|23}} | birth_place = St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Longeretta |first=Emily |date=2023-04-19 |title=Janelle James on Refusing to Disclose Her Age, Hoping 'Abbott Elementary' Doesn't Last Forever and Why She's Not Interested in 'Sexy' Roles |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/janelle-james-age-abbott-elementary-future-sexy-roles-1235587065/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=2023-04-17 |title=Janelle James, "Reluctantly Famous" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/04/janelle-james-abbott-elementary-interview-awards-insider |access-date=2025-02-24 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> | death_date = | death_place = | education = Fashion Institute of Technology<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/janelle-james-age-abbott-elementary-future-sexy-roles-1235587065/ | title=Janelle James on Refusing to Disclose Her Age, Hoping 'Abbott Elementary' Doesn't Last Forever and Why She's Not Interested in 'Sexy' Roles | date=April 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226045036/https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/janelle-james-age-abbott-elementary-future-sexy-roles-1235587065/ |archive-date=February 26, 2024 }}</ref> | occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|writer|actress}} | years_active = 2009–present | children = 2 }} '''Janelle James''' (born September 23, 1979)<ref>{{Cite Instagram |last= James |first=Janelle |author-link=Janelle James |user=janellejamescomedy |postid=DAQ98D9v0WE |date=September 23, 2024 |title=It's my birthday. I look exactly the same. Gorgeous. ♎️♎️♎️💅🏾 |script-title= |trans-title= |language=English |location= |access-date=January 25, 2025 |link=https://www.instagram.com/janellejamescomedy/p/DAQ98D9v0WE/?hl=en |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |ref=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jordan |first=Julie |title=Abbott Elementary's Janelle James Made a Huge Style Error at the Emmys: 'Every Photo of Me Smiling Is a Lie' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/janelle-james-says-she-made-a-huge-style-error-at-emmys-8761682 |date=December 15, 2024 |magazine=People |publisher=Dotdash Meredith |access-date=January 25, 2025}}</ref> 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 Critics Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and two NAACP Image Awards, in addition to nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.
Her writing credits include ''The Rundown with Robin Thede'' and ''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.<ref name="variety10comics">{{cite web |last=Garrett |first=Diane |date=2020-10-02 |title=Variety's 10 Comics to Watch |url=https://variety.com/lists/varietys-10-comics-to-watch/ |access-date=December 30, 2022 |website=Variety}}</ref>
== Early life and education == James was born and raised on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Longeretta |first=Emily |date=2023-04-19 |title=Janelle James on Refusing to Disclose Her Age, Hoping 'Abbott Elementary' Doesn't Last Forever and Why She's Not Interested in 'Sexy' Roles |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/janelle-james-age-abbott-elementary-future-sexy-roles-1235587065/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=2023-04-17 |title=Janelle James, "Reluctantly Famous" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/04/janelle-james-abbott-elementary-interview-awards-insider |access-date=2025-02-24 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> Her father had a food truck, and starting at age 7, she helped out by selling beers on the beach to tourists.<ref name=":6" /> At age 16, she and her mother moved to New York.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Castleberry |first=Tony |date=November 17, 2017 |title=Janelle James returns to Wilmington to deliver more jokes |url=https://www.wect.com/story/36866362/janelle-james-returns-to-wilmington-to-deliver-more-jokes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118221810/http://www.wect.com/story/36866362/janelle-james-returns-to-wilmington-to-deliver-more-jokes |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |access-date=January 29, 2022 |website=wect.com}}</ref> While in high school, she once stood in line for 12 hours to audition for MTV's ''Wanna Be a VJ''.<ref name=":6" /> After high school, she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, but left after a few years.<ref name=":6" />
== Career == James began her career in 2009 at an open mic she attended while living in Champaign, Illinois.<ref name="theroot2019">{{Cite web|last=Kai|first=Maiysha|date=August 31, 2018|title=Pretty, Funny: Comedian Janelle James Ain't No Joke|url=https://theglowup.theroot.com/pretty-funny-comedian-janelle-james-aint-no-joke-1828734014|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=The Root|language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Kozell|first=Isaac|date=October 2, 2017|title=Janelle James on Her Debut Album 'Black and Mild' and Comedy's Point of No Return|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/janelle-james-on-her-debut-album-black-and-mild-and-comedys-point-of-no-return.html|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref> She described her style of comedy as "just talking shit"<ref name="theroot2019" /> and her stand-up includes a range of topics such as the Trump administration, motherhood, being a woman over 35, and dating.<ref name="dailydot2018">{{Cite web|date=September 1, 2018|title=Janelle James on Netflix's 'The Comedy Lineup' and making 'white man power moves'|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/janelle-james-the-comedy-lineup-netflix/|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=The Daily Dot|language=en-US}}</ref> James named Bill Burr, Hadiyah Robinson, John Early, Wanda Sykes, Richard Pryor, and Kareem Green as favorite comedians.<ref name="bkmag2016" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Terrell|first=Kellee|date=February 8, 2022|title='Abbott Elementary' Star Janelle James Is Addicted To Making Us Laugh|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/janelle-james-abbott-elementary_n_6201757be4b0f8a1b8481f47|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref>
In 2016, James' work was recognized by Just for Laughs and ''Brooklyn'' magazine.<ref name="bkmag2016">{{Cite web|last=Chafin|first=Chris|date=June 2, 2016|title=Brooklyn's 50 Funniest People: Janelle James|url=https://www.bkmag.com/2016/06/02/brooklyns-50-funniest-people-janelle-james/|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=Brooklyn Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> She gained wider prominence as the opening act for Chris Rock's 2017 Total Blackout tour.<ref name="theroot2019" /> That year, she released her debut comedy album, ''Black and Mild''.<ref name="theroot2019" /> The show was recorded at Acme Comedy Company in Minneapolis'''.'''<ref name=":0" />
She performed on Netflix's 2018 comedy series ''The Comedy Lineup''.<ref name="theroot2019" /> In 2019, she hosted ''Strong Black Laughs'', an interview podcast featuring a variety of established Black comedians, including Luenell and Sherri Shepherd.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Mark |date=November 21, 2019 |title=This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Janelle James Takes Over Strong Black Lead |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/this-week-in-comedy-podcasts-janelle-jamess-strong-black-laughs.html |access-date=January 22, 2022 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> She hosted ''You In Danger, Gurl'', a comedy podcast about relationship red flags and bizarre dating experiences, in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2020 |title=This Week in Comedy Podcasts: Janelle James, Red-Flag Expert |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/09/this-week-in-comedy-podcasts-janelle-james-red-flag-expert.html |access-date=January 22, 2022 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=McDonald|first=Soraya Nadia|date=October 13, 2017|title=With 'The Rundown,' Robin Thede adds a smart new perspective to late-night|url=https://andscape.com/features/bet-the-rundown-robin-thede-smart-new-perspective-to-late-night/|access-date=January 22, 2022|website=Andscape|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Here Are Variety's 10 Comics To Watch For 2020 {{!}} The Comic's Comic|url=https://thecomicscomic.com/2020/08/18/here-are-varietys-10-comics-to-watch-for-2020/|website=thecomicscomic.com|date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=September 11, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> She has also appeared on the shows ''Crashing'', ''Corporate'', and is both a writer and voice actor for ''Central Park''.<ref name=":1" /> She was also slated to perform at the network's inaugural Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival based in Los Angeles in 2020.<ref name="variety2020">{{Cite web |last=Turchiano |first=Danielle |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Netflix Is A Joke Fest Brings Weeklong Standup and Improv Events to Los Angeles |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/netflix-is-a-joke-fest-los-angeles-inaugural-the-hall-dave-chappelle-kevin-hart-pete-davidson-1203520403/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en}}</ref> She was a featured comic on Netflix's ''The Standups'' in 2021.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Marcus|title='Abbott Elementary' star Janelle James talks playing a 'chaotic' principal 'you hate to love'|url=https://ew.com/tv/abbott-elementary-star-janelle-james-interview/|access-date=January 22, 2022|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en}}</ref>
She gained wide prominence in her role as a main cast member on the ABC comedy ''Abbott Elementary''.<ref name="dailydot2018" /><ref name="vulture2017">{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Jenny|date=January 6, 2017|title=Janelle James (@janellejcomic) on Inanimate Objects and Hot Dudes|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/janelle-james-janellejcomic-on-inanimate-objects-and-hot-dudes.html|access-date=September 11, 2020|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref> Her performance as the self-involved principal Ava Coleman has been hailed by critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Robert |date=January 4, 2022 |title=Three new sitcoms worth your time — and one that needs time to grow |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-01-04/abbott-elementary-grand-crew-pivoting-american-auto-review |access-date=January 29, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Roush|first=Matt|title=Roush Review: Workplace Humor in 'Abbott Elementary,' 'American Auto'|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1027236/abbott-elementary-american-auto-review-matt-roush/|access-date=January 29, 2022|website=TV Insider|date=January 4, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-01-20 |title=Everyone should be attending 'Abbott Elementary' |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/01/20/1074368246/everyone-should-be-attending-abbott-elementary |access-date=January 29, 2022 |website=Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR) |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Emmy Nominations: The Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/2022-emmy-nominations-list-1235062260/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=ggnom>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Golden Globes: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2023-winners-list-1235294541/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111023550/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2023-winners-list-1235294541/ |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=January 15, 2023 |title=Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-2023-1235300137/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116052049/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-2023-1235300137/ |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name="tca2022">{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=June 16, 2022 |title='Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/tca-awards-2022-nominees-1235046381/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, James hosted the ABC game show ''The Final Straw''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=May 23, 2022 |title='Abbott Elementary's Janelle James To Host ABC Game Show 'The Final Straw' With Peyton Manning As EP |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/janelle-james-host-abc-final-straw-peyton-manning-1235030391/ |access-date=May 23, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> She hosted the 2023 Writers Guild of America Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=MacCary |first1=Julia |last2=Reul |first2=Katie |last3=Flam |first3=Charna |date=2023-02-17 |title='Abbott Elementary' Star Janelle James to Host Writers Guild Awards (TV News Roundup) |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/abbott-elementary-janelle-james-host-wga-awards-1235525423/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> She appeared as a supporting character in the 2025 buddy comedy ''One of Them Days''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gyarkye |first=Lovia |date=2025-01-15 |title=‘One of Them Days’ Review: Keke Palmer and SZA Make a Rowdily Funny Duo in Issa Rae-Produced Comedy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/one-of-them-days-review-keke-palmer-sza-1236107759/ |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> James is a voice actress for the principal character Sheila Flambé on the Netflix series ''Strip Law''.
== Personal life == After college, James married a teacher, with whom she had two sons.<ref name=":6" /> They split while living in Champaign, Illinois.<ref name=":6" /> For many years she was based in Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Los Angeles in 2022 after the success of ''Abbott Elementary''<nowiki/>'s first season.<ref name="theroot2019" /><ref name="bkmag2016" />
== Awards and nominations == * 2016 – ''Brooklyn'''s 50 Funniest People<ref name="bkmag2016" /> * 2016 – Just for Laughs New Faces<ref>{{Cite web |title=Janelle James |url=https://www.sharkpartymedia.com/janellejames |access-date=January 22, 2022 |website=Shark Party Media |language=en}}</ref> * 2020 – ''Variety''<nowiki/>'s 10 Comics to Watch<ref name ="variety10comics" />
{| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Award !Category !Nominated work !Result !Ref. |- | rowspan="6" |2022 |Black Reel Awards for Television |Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series | rowspan="20" |''Abbott Elementary'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=June 16, 2022 |title=6th Annual Black Reel Television Awards Nominations Announced |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/6th-annual-black-reel-television-awards-1235047279/ |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Dorian Awards |Best Supporting TV Performance |{{nom}} |<ref name=dorian2022>{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Tyler |date=June 23, 2022 |title='Hacks' and 'Somebody Somewhere' Lead Dorian TV Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2022-dorian-tv-awards-nominations-nominees-list-1235170948/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Gotham Independent Film Awards |Outstanding Performance in a New Series |{{nom}} |<ref name=gotham>{{Cite web |last=Phang-Lyn |first=Tobi |date=October 25, 2022 |title=2022 Gotham Awards Nominations Full List |publisher=The Gotham |url=https://thegotham.org/press/2022-gotham-awards-nominations-full-list/ |access-date=October 25, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards |Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy |{{won}} |<ref name="hcaaward">{{Cite web |last=Verhoeven |first=Beatrice |date=July 7, 2022 |title='This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2022-hollywood-critics-association-broadcast-cable-tv-nominations-1235176458/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Primetime Emmy Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Emmy Nominations: The Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/2022-emmy-nominations-list-1235062260/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |TCA Awards |Individual Achievement in Comedy |{{nom}} |<ref name="tca2022">{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=June 16, 2022 |title='Abbott Elementary' Scores Most TCA Award Nods; 'Squid Game' & 'Only Murders In The Building' Also Among Honorees |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/tca-awards-2022-nominees-1235046381/ |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/tca-television-critics-awards-2022-abbott-elementary-1235335161/ |title='Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=August 6, 2022 |website=Variety |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> |- | rowspan="6" |2023 |Critics' Choice Television Awards |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=January 15, 2023 |title=Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-2023-1235300137/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116052049/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-awards-winners-list-full-2023-1235300137/ |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- |Golden Globe Awards |Best Supporting Actress – Television Series |{{nom}} |<ref name=ggnom>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Golden Globes: Full List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2023-winners-list-1235294541/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111023550/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-globes-2023-winners-list-1235294541/ |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- |Independent Spirit Awards |Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |date=December 13, 2022 |title=Film Independent Spirit Awards TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary', 'Pachinko', 'The Bear' 'Severance', More |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/2023-spirit-awards-tv-nominations-list-film-independent-1235197133/ |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |NAACP Image Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Hilary |date=January 12, 2023 |title=NAACP Image Awards 2023: 'Wakanda Forever,' 'The Woman King' Among Top Film Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naacp-image-awards-2023-nominations-list-nominees-1235297888/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Primetime Emmy Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/2023-emmy-nominations-list-1235666521/|title=Emmys 2023: The Complete Nominations List|date=July 12, 2023|accessdate=July 13, 2023|work=Variety|first=Jordan|last=Moreau}}</ref> |- |Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |date=January 11, 2023 |title=SAG Awards Nominations: The Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-sag-awards-nominations-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1235216790/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2024 |Critics' Choice Television Awards |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/critics-choice-awards-2024-winners-list-8424908 |title=Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Bear lead 2024 Critics Choice Awards: See the full winners list |last=Brathwaite |first=Lester Fabian |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 14, 2024 |accessdate=January 15, 2024}}</ref> |- |Primetime Emmy Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref name="2024Emmys">{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2024 |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/76thnominations-list-v1.pdf?q=2024&q1= |title=76th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=Television Academy}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |Screen Actors Guild Awards | rowspan="2" |Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.sagawards.org/media/news/releases/nominations-announced-30th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awardsr|title=Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®|publisher=Screen Actors Guild |date=January 10, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2025 | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sag-awards-winners-2025-1236313200/|title=SAG Awards 2025 Full Winners List: 'Conclave,' 'Only Murders in the Building' and 'Shōgun' Take Home Top Honors|last=Lang|first=Brent|website=Variety|date=February 23, 2025|access-date=February 23, 2025|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Critics' Choice Television Awards |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/critics-choice-awards-2025-winners-list-1236300265 |title='Wicked,' 'Emilia Pérez' and 'The Substance' Lead Critics Choice Awards, but 'Anora' Nabs Best Picture: Full Winners List |last=Zee |first=Michaela |website=Variety |date=February 7, 2025 |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}</ref> |- | Primetime Emmy Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Nordyke |first1=Hilary Lewis,Kimberly |title=Emmys 2025: List of Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-nominations-2025-nominees-list-1236314909/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=15 July 2025}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2026 |Critics' Choice Television Awards |Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=Laura |date=2026-01-06 |title=After Janelle James Finally Won Big For Abbott Elementary At The Critics Choice Awards, I Love Her Picks For Other Comedies Ava Should Join |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/interviews/janelle-james-won-for-abbott-elementary-critics-choice-awards-her-picks-other-comedies-ava-join |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=Cinemablend |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |NAACP Image Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |{{Won}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=2026-01-12 |title=The 2025 NAACP Image Award Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2025-naacp-image-award-nominations/ |access-date=2026-01-13 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture |One of Them Days |{{Nominated}} |}
== Discography == * 2017: ''Black and Mild''<ref name="rebelliousmag2018">{{Cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Laurie |date=January 29, 2018 |title=Interview: Laughing Along with 'Black and Mild' Comedian Janelle James |url=https://rebelliousmagazine.com/interview-laughing-along-black-mild-comedian-janelle-james/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |website=Rebellious Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Filmography == === Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- | rowspan="2" |2017 |''The Rundown with Robin Thede''<ref name=":2" /> |N/A |Writer |- |''Crashing''<ref name=":1" /> |Julie |1 episode |- |2018 |''The Comedy Line-Up''<ref name="dailydot2018" /> |Herself |Stand-up special |- |2019 |''Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laff Mobb's Laff Tracks: Season 2, Episode 2 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/laff_mobbs_laff_tracks/s02/e02 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref> |Herself |1 episode |- |2020–2021 |''Black Monday''<ref name=":1" /> |Joyce |Recurring role, 4 episodes; also writer |- |2020 |''Corporate''<ref name=":1" /> |Maggie |1 episode |- |2020–2022 |''Central Park''<ref name=":1" /> |Investor #2, Fran, Martha |Voice, recurring role, 11 episodes; also writer |- |2021–present |''Abbott Elementary''<ref name=":3" /> |Ava Coleman |Main role |- |2021 |''The Standups''<ref name=":3" /> |Herself |Stand-up special |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |''Life & Beth''<ref name=":3" /> |Aminata |1 episode |- |''Tuca & Bertie'' |Partridgina |Voice, 1 episode |- |2023 |''Star Trek: Lower Decks'' |Katrot |Voice, 1 episode |- | rowspan="2" |2024 |''Monsters at Work'' |Joy |Voice, 4 episodes |- |''Kite Man: Hell Yeah!<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=September 14, 2023 |title='Harley Quinn' Spin-Off 'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' Ready to Soar with New Teaser |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/09/harley-quinn-spin-off-kite-man-hell-yeah-ready-to-soar-with-new-teaser/ |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=www.animationmagazine.net}}</ref>'' |Queen of Fables |Voice |- | rowspan="2" |2025 | ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' | Ava Coleman | Episode: "The Gang F***s Up Abbott Elementary" |- |''Super Duper Bunny League'' |Narrator |Voice, first bridge series |- |2026 |''Strip Law'' |Sheila Flambé |Voice, main role |}
=== Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2020 |''Tom of Your Life''<ref>{{Cite web|title=TOM OF YOUR LIFE|url=https://burbankfilmfest.festivee.com/tom-of-your-life|access-date=January 22, 2022|publisher=Burbank International Film Festival|language=en-US}}</ref> |Agent Parker | |- |2024 |''The Garfield Movie'' | Olivia | Voice Role |- |2025 |''One of Them Days'' | Ruby | |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{Official website}} * {{IMDb name}}
{{Navboxes |title = Awards for Janelle James |list = {{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series}} {{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series}} {{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series}} }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Janelle}} Category:Living people Category:1979 births Category:Fashion Institute of Technology alumni Category:American women comedians Category:American women screenwriters Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Comedians from Brooklyn Category:American women podcasters Category:American comedy podcasters Category:American stand-up comedians Category:African-American stand-up comedians Category:African-American women comedians Category:21st-century African-American women Category:21st-century African-American people Category:American people of United States Virgin Islands descent Category:American people of Caribbean descent Category:Actresses from Brooklyn Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American voice actresses