Born on October 3, 1969, and raised in Woodland Hills, CA, Janel Moloney trained at State University New York at Purchase, before returning to the West Coast where she continued her studies with Roy London. She kicked off 1991 with several TV movies before playing small roles in Safe and Wild Bill (both 1995). Genetic affection for the limelight became obvious when she and her aunt, Christine Ebersole, shared the role of Beebee — each playing the character at a different age — in 'Til There Was You (1997). The following year, Moloney was featured in Desperate Measures, and also in Bill Kalmenson's The Souler Opposite (co-starring Christopher Meloni), which received positive critical attention as an independent feature. After cameos on NBC's Sports Night and ER, she took a starring role in The West Wing series (1999).