The Diplomat's Allison Janney Hated One Thing About Her First Law & Order Role
Allison Janney's a phenomenal actress, but even an award-winning star like her couldn't get through a tricky Law & Order guest spot without some help.
Acclaimed actress Allison Janney, known for her roles in high-profile TV shows like <source>Lost</source>, grappled with a specific challenge during her early appearances on the crime drama series <source>Law & Order</source>. The particular episode that haunted Janney was <source>Law & Order Season 2, Episode 12</source>, titled "Star Struck," followed by a more prominent role in the Season 4 finale "Old Friends."
Her character, Ann Madsen, portrayed a baby-food company head entangled with the Russian mafia. Janney's vulnerability in acknowledging her predicament led to a line that she later expressed deep regret over: "It's only baby food... my God, how did I end up here?" Janney confessed to an interview with the Television Academy that this line irked her greatly, to the point where she dreaded uttering it.
Co-star Michael Moriarty, recognizing her discomfort, encouraged her with a challenge to deliver the line authentically. Reluctantly, Janney agreed, stating she would only utter the line once. Despite her initial disdain, she managed to deliver it precisely as scripted. Janney's boldness in performing the line garnered praise from viewers and critics alike.
On IMDb, viewers lauded her performance, describing it as "very raw, very real" and one of the season's standout guest turns. The iconic scene, showcasing Janney's raw emotion, continues to resonate with fans, available for streaming on Hulu's collection of all 20 seasons of <source>Law & Order</source>.
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