CJ Cregg is one of the most beloved characters on The West Wing. And not just by fans of the hit TV show, but also the cast. Allison Janney, the actor who played CJ on the NBC political drama, wants to be more on her character.
CJ Cregg is the White House Press Secretary on ‘The West Wing’
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CJ is one of the senior staff members at the White House during Barlet’s administration. She works closely with Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), and of course, President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen).
Viewers first meet CJ when she’s on the treadmill in the gym and explains to a man next to her that this is her “I-time”. When she gets a floating page from the White House, she falls off the treadmill.
At that moment, CJ sends the message to the audience that although she has a high-powered job, she is also human. Sometimes she may stumble literally or figuratively.
During seven seasons of The West Wing, the character of CJ becomes much more than comic relief. She is someone who is not only great in her job, but caring.
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Allison Janney’s ‘favorite character’ that she ‘ever played’ is CJ Cregg
During her time in the entertainment sector, Janney portrayed a variety of characters. But it is the role of Janney as CJ that has a special place in her heart.
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Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Janney says that CJ ranks No. 1 when it comes to all the characters she has played. She also said she strives to be more than CJ in her own life.
“She’s my favorite character I’ve ever played because she’s someone I’m striving for,” Janney said of her west wing character. “I wish I could be CJ,” she added.
Janney went on to say that she sees the influence that CJs had on the viewers of the show, which fans often remember.
“People come up to me all the time and say they’ve changed their premiership in college, they went into public service because of CJ, and I understand that,” Janney said before offering some kind words about her opponent on screen. .
“She’s a wonderful character, she’s not afraid to speak truth to power,” Janney said. “She is a woman in a traditional arena in the White House and she got the ear of the president.”
However, the actor says that she and CJ are different, but that does not stop her from emulating the character.
CJ’s “the one I want to be the most and the one I don’t like the most,” Janney said.
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Allison Janney won 3 Emmys for ‘The West Wing’
Even though Janney says she’s different than CJ in real life, critics and fans alike The West Wing could not tell about the show. When CJ appears on screen, she earns multiple awards for her performance.
In addition to winning awards with her castmates during The West Wing‘s run, Janney also won some solo awards. According to IMDb, she won three Emmys for playing CJ in the series.
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