
Actor
Janelle James
Born 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, and an NAACP Image Award, in addition to nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award.
Acting

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Ava Coleman · 2005

Monsters at Work
Joy (voice) · 2021

The Garfield Movie
Olivia (voice) · 2024

Star Trek: Lower Decks
Katrot (voice) · 2020

Abbott Elementary
Ava Coleman · 2021

One of Them Days
Ruby · 2025

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
Self - Guest Judge · 2012

Black Monday
Joyce · 2019

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · 2003

Central Park
Fran (voice) · 2020

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

Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · 2014

Golden Globe Awards
Self - Nominee · 1944

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · 2009

LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · 1988

The Emmy Awards
Self · 1949

Strip Law
Sheila Flambé (voice) · 2026

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Self - Contestant · 2021

The Jennifer Hudson Show
Self · 2022

Super Duper Bunny League
Narrator (voice) · 2025

The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA
Self · 1995

@midnight with Chris Hardwick
Self · 2013

The Comedy Lineup
Self · 2018

Hollywood Squares
Self · 2025
