Oscars: Allison Janney dedicates her win to her late brother Hal Janney
On Sunday night, the 58-year-old won Best Supporting Actress for the film I, Tonya, in which she played the abusive mother of Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie).
"This is for Hal," the actress said in her acceptance speech. "You are always in my heart. Thank you very much."
Hal took his own life on February 14, 2011 after battling depression and addiction. It was his story that inspired Allison to take on a role in the CBS show Mom, in which she plays a recovering addict.
Hal and Allison Janney. Image: Getty
"I was around the world of recovery a lot, trying to get my brother to want to recover," Allison told CBS News in 2016. "He didn’t. He lost his battle with addiction and other things.
"And I felt like this was important for me to take a part like this and be a part of a show that showed people in recovery, and also showed that there was hope."
The former West Wing star has had an incredible awards season sweep, having also won best supporting actress awards at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and SAG Awards.
At the Oscars, Allison was nominated alongside Lady Bird's Laurie Metcalf, Phantom Thread's Lesley Manville, The Shape of Water's Octavia Spencer, and Mudbound's Mary J Blige.
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