Daytonian wins SAG award, is front-runner for an acting Oscar

If history is a predictor, a Daytonian will the one to beat in one of the top categories at the upcoming Academy Awards.

>> Allison Janney: “Dayton spawns great people” 

For her role in "I, Tonya," Oakwood-raised movie and television star Allison Janney nabbed the best supporting actress award at Sunday night's Screen Actor Guild Awards ceremony.

Jonathan McNeal, a Dayton film expert and manager of Neon Movies in downtown Dayton, says there is crossover between SAG voters and Oscar voters.

More than that, Janney has won the Golden Globe and other major supporting actress awards for her role in the film.

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"She is certainty the front-runner," McNeal said. "The only other person in contention is Laurie Metcalf for 'Lady Bird,' but I think it is really Allison's. She is the best thing about 'I, Tonya'."

Oscar nominations will be announced tomorrow, Jan. 22 at 8:22 a.m. The ceremony is held in March.

If she is victorious, Janney, who slayed Sunday in a figure-loving, silver paillette-covered gown, will be thought to be first person from the Dayton area to win an Oscar for her acting.

That said, the Miami Valley has been represented at the Academy Awards several times through the years.

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🌟 Yellow Springs resident Julia Reichert has been nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Feature Documentary.

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🌟 Springfield's John Legend won the best original song Oscar in 2015 for his song  "Glory" with Common from the film "Selma."

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🌟 Wright State University graduate  Hannah Beachler was the production designer for the Oscar-winning film "Moonlight."

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🌟 New Carlisle native and Dayton-area resident J. Todd Anderson has created the story board for about 20 Coen brothers movies since 1987’s "Raising Arizona." He worked on the Academy Award-winning films “Fargo” and “No Country for Old Men.”

Janney, the star of CBS's "Mom" which airs weekly on WHIO-TV, plays LaVona Harding, figure skater Tonya Harding's mother, in the dramatic dark comedy "I, Tonya." 

In September, the former Miami Valley School student was inducted into the Dayton Region's Walk of Fame. She told this news organization she'd place that hometown award next to her major acting statues and recognitions.

McNeal said Janney's mom, Macy, who she praised as a role model in last Sunday's edition of "Parade" magazine (an insert in the Dayton Daily News), is a Neon regular.

He hopes to open “I, Tonya” at the movie theater located at  130 E Fifth St., in early February.

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