Janelle James 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 Screen Actors Guild Award, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.
The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2025
One of Them Days Ruby
The Garfield Movie Olivia (voice)
Tom of Your Life
Sixteen Thousand Dollars Catherine
Strip Law Sheila Flambé (voice) · 10 eps
Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Queen of Fables (voice) · 10 eps
The Jennifer Hudson Show 1 ep
Abbott Elementary Ava Coleman · 88 eps
Teenage Euthanasia 2 eps
Monsters at Work Joy (voice) · 4 eps
Star Trek: Lower Decks Katrot (voice) · 1 ep
Central Park Fran (voice) · 1 ep
Black Monday Joyce · 4 eps
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Ava Coleman · 1 ep
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Strip Law 2026Sheila Flambé (voice) ·10 eps - The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2025 2025
- One of Them Days 2025Ruby
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Kite Man: Hell Yeah! 2024Queen of Fables (voice) ·10 eps - The Garfield Movie 2024Olivia (voice)
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The Jennifer Hudson Show 20221 ep -
Abbott Elementary 2021Ava Coleman ·88 eps -
Teenage Euthanasia 20212 eps -
Monsters at Work 2021Joy (voice) ·4 eps - Tom of Your Life 2020
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Star Trek: Lower Decks 2020Katrot (voice) ·1 ep -
Central Park 2020Fran (voice) ·1 ep - Sixteen Thousand Dollars 2020Catherine
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Black Monday 2019Joyce ·4 eps -
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 2005Ava Coleman ·1 ep
Golden Globes
2023
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television SeriesAbbott Elementary
SAG Awards
2026
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesAbbott Elementary
2025
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesAbbott Elementary
Critics' Choice Awards
2026
- 🏆 Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesAbbott Elementary
2025
- Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesAbbott Elementary