Janet Varney
Janet Varney (born February 16, 1976) is an American actress and comedian known for voicing Korra in the Nickelodeon animated television series The Legend of Korra, her role as Becca Barbara in You're the Worst and hosting The JV Club podcast.
Janet Varney | |
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![]() Varney in October 2014 | |
Born | [1] Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | February 16, 1976
Nationality | American |
Education | Rincon High School |
Alma mater | San Francisco State University (BA) |
Occupation | Actress, comedian |
Years active | 2003–present |
Website | janetvarney |
Early life
Varney was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She graduated as salutatorian from Rincon High School in 1993[2][3] and is an alumna of San Francisco State University, where she majored in theater, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1997.[4] She later pursued a career in interior design before eventually finding her way back into acting.[5] Varney was raised Mormon, but left the church at 17 and began to identify as an agnostic.[6] Varney is of English and Scottish descent.[7][3]
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 appeared as recurring character eve in 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. Varney was also cast in a movie called Best Player, starring opposite Jerry Trainor and Jennette McCurdy. Varney played opposite John C. McGinley on IFC's Stan Against Evil as Sheriff Evie Barret. The show was cancelled in 2019 after three seasons.[8]
Varney also acts as host on ESCAPE!,[9] a web series broadcast on Geek & Sundry where teams of celebrities work together to get out of an escape room.[10]
Dinner and a Movie
In 2005, Varney replaced Lisa Kushell as the host of the TBS cooking and entertainment show Dinner and a Movie. She appeared with Paul Gilmartin and Claud Mann in each episode, introducing films and injecting humor during the preparation of a creative dinner for some themes. The series was cancelled in 2011.
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 alumnus, Michael J. Nelson.
She has performed in Rifftrax commentaries for the following films:
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[11] from 2012 to 2018. In November 2018, it was announced that The JV Club would be moving to the Maximum Fun network.[12] Varney has participated on a regular basis on the improv comedy podcast Spontaneanation with Paul F. Tompkins, where she is referred to as "Little Janet" Varney.
Personal life
Varney was in a relationship with comedian Chris Hardwick from 2004 to 2011.[13][14] In young adulthood, Varney was diagnosed with depersonalization disorder.[15]
Varney is openly bisexual, telling a listener on her Instagram page, "You should listen to my podcast, I've made no secret of my bisexuality."[16]
Filmography
![](../I/m/Janet_Varney_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg)
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Stuck | Jane | |
2004 | Catwoman | Party Girl | |
2007 | Humble Pie | Joleen | |
2007 | Dante's Inferno | Cleopatra / Various (voice) | |
2008 | Bill | Amelia | Short film |
2009 | Still Waiting... | Haley | Direct-to-video |
2010 | Nic & Tristan Go Mega Dega | Sylvia Fishtickle - Mom | |
2011 | The Selling | Mary Best | |
2011 | Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer | Mom | |
2014 | Present Tense | Cynthia | Short film |
2016 | Norm of the North | Janet (voice) |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Crossballs: The Debate Show | Additional Characters | Unknown episodes |
2005 | Back to Norm | Christine MacDonald | Television film |
2006 | Free Ride | Megan | Episode: "Up the Aunty" |
2006 | Love, Inc. | Glenda | Episode: "Full House" |
2006 | Happy Hour | Molly | Episode: "The Mix CD" |
2006 | What About Brian | Carol | Episode: "What About First Steps" |
2007 | Home Purchasing Club | Debbie Driscoll | Unknown episodes |
2007 | The Untitled Rob Roy Thomas Project | Ellie Tennant | Television film |
2007 | Halfway Home | Kimberly Costas | Episodes: "Halfway Hot", "Halfway High School" |
2007 | Die Hardly Working | Heroine | Television film |
2007 | Eternal Waters | Lead | Television short |
2007 | How I Met Your Mother | Stacey Gusar | Episode: "Little Boys" |
2007 | The Weekend | Madelaine | Television film |
2008 | Chocolate News | Trina Johns | 2 episodes |
2008 | Man Stroke Woman | Various | Television film |
2008, 2014 | Psych | Mindy Howland / Connie Camp | Episodes: "Murder?... Anyone?... Anyone?... Bueller?", "Remake A.K.A. Cloudy... With a Chance of Improvement" |
2008–09 | Back on Topps | Bev Cleary | Series Unknown episodes |
2008–09 | Entourage | Amy Miller | 3 episodes |
2009 | Memory Lanes | Tracy Morris | Television film |
2009 | Bones | Maureen Perot | Episode: "The Bones That Foam" |
2009 | Better Off Ted | Lawyer | Episode: "Trust and Consequence" |
2009 | Married Not Dead | Susan | Television film |
2011 | Hot in Cleveland | Ellen | Episode: "Bad Bromance" |
2011 | Best Player | Tracy Saunders | Television film |
2012 | The Game | Summer Grayson | 2 episodes |
2012 | Sullivan & Son | Kim Elliot | Episode: "The Bar Birthday" |
2012 | Childrens Hospital | Stacy | Episode: "Ladies Night" |
2012 | Neil's Puppet Dreams | Patron | 3 episodes |
2012–14 | The Exes | Lorna | 2 episodes |
2012–13 | Burning Love | Carly | Regular role (23 episodes) |
2012–14 | The Legend of Korra | Korra (voice) | Main role (52 episodes) |
2013 | MyMusic | Nancy Spackman | 2 episodes |
2013–14 | Kroll Show | Wife / Mrs. Wilson / Jessica | Episodes: "Secret Room", "Sponsored by Stamps" |
2014 | Warehouse 13 | Elise | Episode: "Secret Services" |
2014 | Maron | Delphine | Episode: "Therapy" |
2014–19 | You're the Worst | Becca Barbara | Recurring role (22 episodes) |
2014 | Sanjay and Craig | Bernice / Yoga Instructor (voices) | Episode: "Ting/Farkwerk" |
2015 | Shameless | Park Mom | Episode: "Rite of Passage" |
2015 | Other Space | Host | Episode: "Getting to Know You" |
2016–18 | Take My Wife | Melina Marquez | 5 episodes |
2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Movie Trailer Wife | Episode: "Kaley Cuoco Wears a Black Blazer and Slip on Sneakers" |
2016–18 | Stan Against Evil | Evie Barret | Main role: 18 episodes |
2016 | American Housewife | Jenn | Episode: "Power Couple" |
2016 | ESCAPE! | Host | Web series |
2017 | Adam Ruins Everything | Mandy | Episode: "Adam Ruins Weight Loss" |
2017 | HarmonQuest | Sedona | Episode: "The Barely Cursed Bazaar of Commerce" |
2018 | Bravest Warriors | Ambulance Driver (voice) | Web series Episode: "I Just Can't Cope Without My Soap" |
Video game
Year | Title | Voice role |
---|---|---|
2014 | The Legend of Korra | Korra |
References
- "Happy Birthday, Janet Varney". Amino Apps. February 16, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
- Villarreal, Phil (April 15, 2012). "Justice keeps listeners posted on heart surgery". Arizona Daily Star.
- "The JV Club #153: Felicia Day". Nerdist. May 7, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- SF State Magazine (Fall 2008). "Funny Business". sfsu.edu. San Francisco State University. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- "Conversations With Ross: Featuring Janet Varney". rosscarey.com. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- "The JV Club #29: Cara Santa Maria". Nerdist. September 20, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- "Varney Family History". Ancestry.com. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- Petski, Denise (January 28, 2019). "'Stan Against Evil' Canceled After Three Seasons On IFC". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
- "Escape! With Janet Varney". YouTube. February 8, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- Manuel, Rob (November 14, 2016). "Introducing ESCAPE! with Janet Varney". Geek & Sundry. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- "The JV Club". Nerdist. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- "Special Announcement: The JV Club Joins Maximum Fun!". Soundcloud. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- Bacon, Caleb (June 30, 2009). "Chris Hardwick: Nerdism For Fun and Profit". LAist. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- D'Zurilla, Christie (June 26, 2018). "Janet Varney, Chris Hardwick's ex-girlfriend, says he never abused her". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
- "Janet Varney". mentalpod.com. March 26, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
- Varney, Janet (June 28, 2018). "Janet Varney on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
I've been woefully lax in celebrating Pride this month on social media! So I'm ending this month listing 10 movies that made me feel less weird about my feelings for ladies as a young person. #pride
External links
- Janet Varney on IMDb
- Dinner and a Movie website on tbs.com
- Back on Topps website
- Rifftrax Presents website at Rifftrax.com
- Podcast Interview on The Gentlemen's Club with Caleb Bacon