The Actress Who Nearly Lost Her Role
Allison Janney played the Press Secretary, Claudia Jean “C. J.” Cregg, and later the White House Chief of Staff. Clinton Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers was a consultant on The West Wing, and Cregg’s character was loosely based on her. Although Janney was perfect for the role, she nearly didn’t land it. Executives were concerned because there was not a lot of racial diversity on the show. She nearly lost the spot to Afro-Guyanese actress C.C.H. Pounder. Janney earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2000 and 2001 and Outstanding Lead Actress in 2002 and 2004.
