Born in South Dakota in 1978, January began her career in New York as a part-time model. Shortly after, she was dividing her time between NY and LA pursuing auditions before acting work was becoming more consistent. Her breakthrough came in 2003 with “American Wedding,” the third in the “American Pie” series.
She made appearances in “Love Actually” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” before a dramatic turn in the acclaimed Tommy Lee Jones Western, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.” It was in 2007 when January landed the role of Betty Draper in AMC’s “Mad Men,” for which she received Golden Globe nominations in 2009 and 2010 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama. The success of that incredible series has made her a star.
In her personal life, January had a relationship with Ashton Kutcher prior to his sojourn with Demi Moore, and also dated singer/songwriter Josh Gorban. January received media attention for her involvement in a June 2010 car crash in which no one was hurt. In addition to “Mad Men,” January also made a memorable cameo in “Pirate Radio” as well as the McG-directed sports drama, “We Are Marshall.”
Iconic Character – Betty Draper on “Mad Men”
For many fans, January’s role as Betty on “Mad Men” will always be a favorite. We highlihgted this character in our “TV Girlfriends” feature in the “Thy Neighbor’s Wife” catagory. Here’s what we said about the character:
“While having her third baby under heavy sedation, Betty imagines her father telling her “You’re a housecat. You’re very important and you have little to do.” A remarkably beautiful ex-model who maintains her Grace Kelly-like looks with apparently effortless grace despite bearing three children in the early sixties, she is an intelligent woman with too much time on her hands and no one she can fully relate to. Her husband, Don, may be a handsome and charismatic devil who actually loves her, but that doesn’t stop the manipulative so-and-so from habitually cheating on her. Her brother is a jerk, her friends don’t seem particularly attentive, and her children are just children. With some occasional inappropriate behavior that’s mostly a cry for help, Betty tends to bring out our inner rescuer despite the fact that she’s capable of being fairly petty and is not above revenge sex. Still, there’s nothing wrong with Betty that being plunked into the middle of a good seventies sitcom wouldn’t cure. Give her a theme song, a fulfilling career, affectionate coworkers, and a good, slightly less attractive, ethnic pal she can really trust, and, you’ll see, she might just make it after all.”
Betty in a yellow bikini
We’re in love . . .
January on the Web and on Video
January Jones in GQ
Check out her exclusive photoshoot for GQ!
Premium Hollywood – January Jones
Catch up on her recent performances on this entertainment blog.
Celebrity Teaser – January Jones
Pics, videos and news from this celebrity blog.
Lovely January
Here’s January in a sexy photoshoot!
January on Screen
Her first role was in a TV project in 1999 called “Sorority.” She’s Claire in “Bandits,” Tracy in the Steven Soderbergh film, “Full Frontal,” Gina in “Anger Management,” Cadence in “American Wedding,” and Betty Draper on “Mad Men.” She’s also had roles in films like “Love Actually,” “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada,” and “We Are Marshall.” When “Mad Men” was on hiatus, fans of the actress got their fix in the action thriller, “Unknown,” and as the White Queen, Emma Frost, in “X-Men: First Class.”
January Says
On NY or LA:
“I like them equally. And dislike them equally.”
More January Jones as Betty in “Mad Men”
Betty was certainly high maintenance, but man she always looked amazing . . .
