Who Was January Jones Before 'Mad Men'?

Publish date: 2024-06-16

Throughout the seven-season span of 'Mad Men,' fanatics came to like Betty Draper and the rest of the characters at the show. But January Jones was actually a standout as Betty, and he or she's simplest become even more well-liked since.

The thing is, though 'Mad Men' was possibly January's highest-profile collection to date, she wasn't an entire no person in Hollywood before that. In reality, she's been active in Hollywood since no less than 1999, even though fans could have lost sight of her resume pre-2007, the 12 months she debuted as Betty.

RELATED: 'Mad Men' Makes A Return To Streaming: Exploring The Show's Legacy In 2020

While the gorgeous actress doesn't seem to age, January Jones is in her 40s now. Though she looks as young as ever, it's price noting that her first film was in truth in 1999. She played a job in 'It's the Rage,' a film in accordance with a play about how firearms affected each and every of the characters.

Maybe it wasn't a seriously acclaimed blockbuster, however it was a start for the 20-year-old actress. Plus, motion pictures that came after on her resume were more recognizable via nowadays's fanatics. In 2003, Jones had 3 films come out that were extra extensively seen: 'Anger Management,' 'American Wedding,' and 'Love Actually.'

Then the following 12 months, she played Eve in 'Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,' although it was infrequently a leading position. Still, the opportunity to be on set with Patrick Swayze almost certainly spurred her determination to accept the minor role.

January acted in a few different movies before nabbing her position on 'Mad Men,' and even though the titles will not be as recognizable as other tasks, she did get an opportunity to paintings with trade greats like Tommy Lee Jones, Leelee Sobieski, Bruce Willis, Cate Blanchett, Billy Bob Thornton, David Duchovny, and even Brad Pitt.

Though her TV experience on the time was limited to a few pilots and appearances on 'Huff,' January was already rubbing elbows with tons of Hollywood staples when 'Mad Men' landed in her lap.

Although, it did take a mid-'Mad Men' film for the starlet to finally get to work with her childhood crush. The entire cascade of occasions was a near-miss, regardless that, as January wasn't a shoo-in for the position of Betty from day one.

In reality, January talked concerning the experience of auditioning for 'Mad Men' sans the Betty character altogether. In an interview mid-'Mad Men,' when she debuted in 'X-Men: First Class,' January informed W Magazine that at the beginning, there was "no Betty" in the pilot. She auditioned for Peggy, reading two instances, but lost out to Elisabeth Moss.

Undeterred, January heard a "casual mention" that Don Draper was married. Matthew Weiner, who was the creator of the show, instantly penned two scenes featuring Betty, and a few days later January auditioned for the part.

But it wasn't yet cemented in a contract or perhaps a script at that point. Jones took an opportunity, and Matt was true to his word that he'd flesh out the character, and Betty took on a life of her own — wearing January through to true, hard-earned stardom.

NEXT: What Jon Hamm & The Mad Men Cast Have Been Up To Since The Show's Finale

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGikmpxdorKvedahpmavkah6q63NrpirsV2fvK%2Bx0mg%3D