Janelle James

Acting

Born September 23, 1979 · Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

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,…

Known for

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2005

The Jennifer Hudson Show

2022

The Jennifer Hudson Show

2022

Sherri

2022

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003

Acting(31)

2026Strip LawSheila Flambé (voice)

2025The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 2025

Film

2025Super Duper Bunny LeagueNarrator (voice)

2025One of Them DaysRuby

Film

2025Hollywood SquaresSelf

2024Kite Man: Hell Yeah!Queen of Fables (voice)

2024The Garfield MovieOlivia (voice)

Film

2022The Jennifer Hudson Show

2022SherriSelf - Guest

2022The Final StrawSelf - Host

2021Abbott ElementaryAva Coleman

2021Teenage Euthanasia

2021Monsters at WorkJoy (voice)

2021Celebrity Wheel of FortuneSelf - Contestant

2020Tom of Your Life

Film

2020Star Trek: Lower DecksKatrot (voice)

2020Central ParkFran (voice)

2020Sixteen Thousand DollarsCatherine

Film

2019Black MondayJoyce

2018The Comedy LineupSelf

2014Late Night with Seth MeyersSelf

2013@midnight with Chris HardwickSelf

2012Gotham Comedy LiveSelf - Comic

2012RuPaul's Drag Race All StarsSelf - Guest Judge

2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenSelf - Guest

2005It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaAva Coleman

2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self

1995The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRASelf

1988LIVE with Kelly and MarkSelf - Guest

1949The Emmy AwardsSelf

1944Golden Globe AwardsSelf - Nominee