January Jones is famous primarily for her role as Betty Draper on the acclaimed television series Mad Men (2007–2015), a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations and a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series[1][2][7][8]. Her portrayal of Betty Draper, a complex 1960s housewife, brought her widespread critical recognition and is widely considered her most iconic character[2][4].
Beyond Mad Men, Jones has built a substantial career in both television and film. She played Melissa Chartres in the comedy series The Last Man on Earth (2015–2018), and appeared in a range of movies including American Wedding (2003), We Are Marshall (2006), The Boat That Rocked (2009), Unknown (2011), Seeking Justice (2011), and X-Men: First Class (2011)[1][3][5]. She began her career with modeling and minor roles in independent films and television before her breakthrough with American Wedding and her subsequent stardom from Mad Men[3].
Jones’s status as a pop-culture figure is closely identified with the Betty Draper role, which remains her signature achievement and has defined her public persona and acting legacy[4]. She has also received Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble cast of Mad Men[2][7].