#2

November 4, 2001

After receiving her first ever Emmy Award the year before, Allison was returned to the mix at the 53rd Emmy Awards on November 4, 2001. Delayed by two months and with toned-down fashion expectations in the immediate post-9/11 period, Allison attended the award show wearing a black/floral short cocktail dress by Dolce & Gabbana. A few weeks shy of her 42nd birthday, Allison was once again nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on “The West Wing”.

Allison won this Emmy for Season 2 of “The West Wing” over Tyne Daly (“Judging Amy”), Maura Tierney (“ER”), Aida Turturro (“The Sporanos”) and her own cast-mate Stockard Channing. As per supporting category rules, Allison submitted two Season 2 episodes for voter consideration; those episodes were “In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (Part Two)” and “Galileo”. The award was presented by actor Dennis Franz.

“The West Wing” won a total of 8 Emmys for the second season, including Allison’s as well as for Bradley Whitford for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and the main prize, Outstanding Drama Series.

Unlike in 2000, this year the telecast narrator had no trouble correctly pronouncing Allison’s last name. Allison’s transition from Broadway/theater, and small character roles was in full swing by now, as “The West Wing” was catapulting Allison into higher Hollywood stratospheres. She was starting to gain more serious notice and would soon be cast opposite Meryl Streep in “The Hours” . However, it was noted by the telecast narrator that during this time, Allison still considered New York City - and not Los Angeles - to be her home.