Janel Moloney (born October 3, 1969) is an American actress, known for her role as Donna Moss on The West Wing.
Born in Woodland Hills, California, Moloney is the niece of actress Christine Ebersole, and attended the acting conservatory at SUNY Purchase. During the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign, Moloney was an active supporter of John Kerry's presidential campaign and made public appearances on behalf of his campaign.
Her early work included television guest roles on ER, Sports Night, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and Murder, She Wrote. In 1999, Moloney became a recurring guest star on The West Wing as Donna Moss, assistant to Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford). Moloney was originally intended only to be a guest star, like the many other recurring assistants on the show, but the cast and creator Aaron Sorkin—and the fans—quickly noticed the chemistry between Donna and the other characters, particularly Josh. She appeared in every episode of the first season as a guest star, but from the second season premiere onward, Moloney was listed in the main credits. Moloney has received two Emmy nominations, one in 2002 and one in 2004, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama.
Moloney has also appeared in the TV film Bang, Bang, You're Dead with Thomas Cavanagh and Randy Harrison, and played the part of Amber Frey in Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution, broadcast May 25, 2005 on CBS.
In 2007, Moloney played Dana Chase, an attractive, professional woman who mysteriously struck up a relationship with Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke) in 'Brotherhood'.
In 2008, Maloney appeared in one episode (It's a Wonderful Lie) of House M.D..
In 2007, Moloney made her off-Broadway stage debut as Theresa in the Playwrights Horizons production 100 Saints You Should Know, written by Kate Fodor and directed by Ethan McSweeny.
