Janelle James

Acting

Janelle James

Born 23 September 1979 · Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands · 47

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.

Known for

Highlights

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia2005 · Series · Ava Coleman
Monsters at Work2021 · Series · Joy (voice)
The Garfield Movie2024 · Film · Olivia (voice)
Star Trek: Lower Decks2020 · Series · Katrot (voice)
Abbott Elementary2021 · Series · Ava Coleman
One of Them Days2025 · Film · Ruby

Filmography

Movies

5 films

The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Holiday 20252025 · Film
One of Them Days2025 · Film · Ruby
The Garfield Movie2024 · Film · Olivia (voice)
Tom of Your Life2020 · Film
Sixteen Thousand Dollars2020 · Film · Catherine

Filmography

Series

10 shows

Strip Law2026 · Series · Sheila Flambé (voice)
Kite Man: Hell Yeah!2024 · Series · Queen of Fables (voice)
History of the World: Part II2023 · Series · Writer
Abbott Elementary2021 · Series · Ava Coleman
Teenage Euthanasia2021 · Series
Monsters at Work2021 · Series · Joy (voice)
Star Trek: Lower Decks2020 · Series · Katrot (voice)
Central Park2020 · Series · Fran (voice)
Black Monday2019 · Series · Joyce
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia2005 · Series · Ava Coleman