Janet Varney
Janet Varney | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2003–present |
Janet Varney (born February 16, 1976) is an American comedic actress best known for hosting TBS's Dinner and a Movie and as the voice of Korra in The Legend of Korra.
Early life
Varney was born in Arizona. She is an alumna of San Francisco State University where she majored in theater. After school she pursued a career in interior design before eventually finding her way back into acting.[1]
Career
Television Projects
Varney was co-host of The Hollywood Show with Brian Unger, a recurring player on Norm Macdonald's sketch show Back to Norm and an ensemble player on Crossballs, all for Comedy Central. She also starred in the short-lived FOX comedy "Happy Hour." In 2007, Varney appeared in the short films Random Acts of Kindness, Die Hardly Working, Eternal Waters, Worldly Possession, The Losers, Keep Off Grass, and Dress For Success which were made during the reality show On the Lot. She has recently appeared as recurring character "Bev" for the web series Back on Topps with Randy and Jason Sklar. Starting in 2008, she began starring in the HBO television series Entourage, playing television producer Amy Miller who works alongside Eric and Charlie. And very recently was in a movie called "Best Player" starring opposite Jerry Trainor and Jennette McCurdy.
Dinner and a Movie
In 2005, Varney replaced Lisa Kushell as the hostess of the TBS cooking and entertainment show, Dinner and a Movie. Since then, she has appeared, alongside host Paul Gilmartin and chef Claud Mann, in each episode introducing movies and injecting humor during the preparation of a creative dinner to go with some theme of the movie.
Rifftrax
Varney has written and performed several comedic audio commentaries for films along with fellow SF Sketchfest co-founder Cole Stratton. These appear on the Rifftrax website under the "Rifftrax Presents" branding, as being officially sanctioned by Rifftrax founder and "Mystery Science Theater 3000" alum, Michael J. Nelson.
She has performed in Rifftrax commentaries for the following films:
- Footloose
- Poltergeist
- Ghost
- Dirty Dancing
- Jaws 3
- Flatliners
Other Professional Projects
Varney is the co-founder, creative director and producer of SF Sketchfest, The San Francisco Comedy Festival and is also the co-founder of the San Francisco sketch group Totally False People. She performed with the Los Angeles and San Francisco-based group Sequel 4000. In March 2012, she launched a podcast entitled The JV Club, hosted on Nerdist.com.[2]
Personal life
She was in a relationship with comedian Chris Hardwick from 2004 to 2011.[3]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Stuck | Jane | |
2004 | Catwoman | Party Girl | |
2007 | American Fork | Joleen | |
Dante's Inferno | Intercom | ||
2008 | Drillbit Taylor | Attractive Woman Driver | |
Bill | Amelia | ||
2009 | Still Waiting... | Haley | |
2011 | Best Player | Tracy Saunders |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Crossballs: The Debate Show | Various Characters | |
2005 | The Hollywood Show | Co-Host | |
Back to Norm | Christine Macdonald | ||
2005–2011 | Dinner and a Movie | Hostess | |
2006 | Home Purchasing Club | Debbie Driscoll | |
What About Brian | Carol | ||
Happy Hour | Molly | ||
Love, Inc. | Glenda | ||
Free Ride | Megan | ||
2007 | How I Met Your Mother | Stacey Gusar | |
On the Lot | Actress | ||
Worldly Possession | Nancy Bates | ||
Eternal Waters | Lead | ||
Die Hardly Working | Heroin | ||
Halfway Home | Kimberly Costas | ||
The Weekend | Madelaine | ||
The Untitled Rob Roy Thomas Project | Ellie Tennant | ||
2008 | Chocolate News | Trina Johns | |
Psych | Mindy Howland | ||
Man Stroke Woman | Various Characters | ||
2009 | Bones | Maureen Perot | |
Entourage | Amy Miller | ||
2011 | Judy Moody and The Not So Bummer Summer | Mrs.Moody | |
2012 | The Game | Summer Grayson | |
Childrens Hospital | Stacy | ||
2012- | The Legend of Korra | Korra | Voice |
The Exes | Lorna | ||
Burning Love | Carly |
References
- ^ Conversations With Ross: Featuring Janet Varney http://www.rosscarey.com/2012/08/22/episode-69-janet-varney/
- ^ http://www.nerdist.com/podcast/the-jv-club/
- ^ "Chris Hardwick: Nerdism For Fun and Profit". Gothamist. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2011.