Allison Janney, 66, has opened up about her decision to not have children, revealing that by the time she sought fertility treatment in her forties, the odds were not in her favor. The actress made the remarks on the podcast "Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky," where she shared that she had believed women could have children until around age 50.
"I just thought, well, I better... I should try," Janney stated on the podcast, recalling her visit to a fertility doctor. "The first I heard that I wouldn't be able to have a kid at 40-something was in this fertility doctor's office. She was like, 'The odds are not in your favor.'"
She also noted the absence of a partner at the appointment as a significant sign. Janney, who has never been married, explained that she had been under the impression that childbirth was possible later in life.
Past Relationships and Loneliness
Janney has been publicly linked to three long-term partners, though none resulted in marriage or children. She was in a relationship with computer programmer Dennis Gagomiros from 1994 to 2001. Following that, she became engaged to her "Our Very Own" co-star Richard Jenik, but they separated in 2006. Her most recent public relationship was with "The Way, Way Back" production manager Philip Joncas, from 2012 to 2017.
"I always thought I would get married just because at the time I was growing up that's what you did," Janney reflected. She described the feeling of being in a relationship that isn't right and not knowing how to leave as the "most lonely feeling in the world."
Love for Animals and Upcoming Projects
Despite her reflections on romantic relationships, Janney stated that her true love, aside from friends and family, has always been dogs. She expressed a strong desire to adopt many dogs and create a rescue farm. "I could not love dogs more," she said.
Janney also shared that her upbringing in a "Waspy" family, where physical affection was scarce, contributed to her finding fulfillment in hugging her animals.
Professionally, Janney is preparing to return to Broadway in the revival of "Other Desert Cities," with previews starting September 29 at the Hudson Theatre in New York City. She is also set to appear in Ridley Scott's upcoming sci-fi film, "The Dog Stars."