Multi-talented actor, writer, and comedian JANELLE JAMES stars in the scene stealing role of ‘Ava Coleman’ in the
critically acclaimed ABC comedy series, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, which is currently in its forth season.
Both an audience favorite and critical darling, Janelle continues to receive accolades for the role, including nominations for Best
Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series at the Emmys, Golden Globes, Independent Spirits, SAG Awards, Critic’s
Choice Awards, and Gotham Awards, as well as a nomination for the Television Critics Association’s Award forIndividual Achievement in Comedy.
Next up, Janelle can be heard as the voice of ‘Olivia’ in the Sony animated film, THE GARFIELD MOVIE, with Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson, releasing in theaters on May 24, 2024. Previously, she voiced the character ‘Joy’ in anepisode of Disney+’s 2021 animated series, MONSTERS AT WORK.
Most recently, Janelle received a 2024 WGA Awards nomination for History of the World Part 2, for which she served as
a writer. Previously, Janelle served as both a writer and actor for Showtime’s BLACK MONDAY, and AppleTV+’s
animated series, CENTRAL PARK.
As a comedian, she has toured with the likes of Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, and David Cross. She joined the 2024
Netflix is a Joke Fest lineup as part of “Outside Joke: The Hub of Netflix is a Joke Fest,” an exclusive, fan-fueled mini-
fest located outdoors at the famed Hollywood Palladium, alongside Jim Jefferies, Leslie Jones, Stavros Halkias and Tim
Dillon, among others.
In 2016, she was named a "New Face" at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and one of “The 50 Most Funny People
in Brooklyn” by Brooklyn Magazine. In 2020, she was featured as one of Variety's “Top 10 Comedians to Watch.”
In 2017, she took over the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, now known as the Janelle James Comedy Festival in
Brooklyn. Her debut comedy album, Black and Mild, was released on all major streaming networks in 2017 to rave
reviews, and in 2021, she appeared in season 3 of Netflix’s The Stand-Up.