• Date of Birth: April 17, 1972
  • Place of Birth: Houston, Texas, USA
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Jennifer Garner Biography

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Jennifer Garner




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Jennifer Garner, best known for her work on ABC's Alias and for her roles in the films Elektra, 13 Going On 30 and Juno, is more than just an accomplished actress. She is also a producer, humanitarian, the wife of fellow actor Ben Affleck and the mother of the couple's two daughters, Violet and Seraphina Affleck












Biography

flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterJennifer Anne Garner was born April 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas, to parents Patricia Garner, an English teacher, and Bill Garner, a chemical engineer. She is the middle child, with two sisters, Melissa and Susannah. All three girls were raised Methodist and had somewhat of a strict upbringing. Garner has commented, "I sometimes joke that we were just a step away from being Amish." The girls were required to attend church every Sunday, were not allowed to go to the movies, were not allowed to wear makeup and had to wait until they were at least 16-years-old before they could pierce their ears. "I'm in the middle of three girls and none of us pierced our ears, none of us wore makeup or nail polish. We had straight hair, one length. It was just kind of the Garner Girl aesthetic. We didn't really question it. It was just the way we looked."




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After graduating George Washington High School in 1990, Garner enrolled in Denison University. At first, she majored in Chemistry, but soon changed her major to Drama, after she realized she enjoyed acting more. She continued her drama education at the National Theater Institute, where she was trained by fight choreographer David Chandler. Chandler told Garner that she was a natural at Stage Combat. Little did she know that those skills would one day make her a star.



flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterIn 1995, after arriving in New York City, the actress became the understudy in the play A Month in the Country, for the Roundabout Theatre Company. Soon after, she appeared in the made-for-television adaptation of Danielle Steel's novel, Zoya. The following year, Garner made appearances in the television series Swift Justice, Law & Order and Spin City. She also co-starred in two more made-for-television films, Harvest Fire and Larry McMurtry's Dead Man's Walk, the first in the Lonesome Dove series. In Dead Man's Walk, Garner played Clara Forsythe, a character that has been portrayed by fellow actresses Angelica Huston, Barbara Hershey and more recently, Linda Cardellini.


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Garner made her first appearance on the big screen in 1997, as a background actor in a part titled Woman in Elevator, in Woody Allen's Deconstructing Harry. The actress continued to appear in made-for-television films and also had bit parts in the films Mr. Magoo and Washington Square, and in 1998 she was cast as Hannah Bibb, on the WB's Felicity. It was then that Garner was introduced to two men that would play important roles in her future. The first of those two men was her handsome co-star, Scott Foley. Soon the actors began dating and after a two year courtship, the couple married on October 19, 2000. The other man, was Felicity creator, J.J. Abrams, who would soon offer Garner the role that would change her career forever.


flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterIn 2001, J.J. Abrams tapped Garner to portray the lead role in his new television series, Alias. The show followed CIA Agent Sydney Bristow, a double agent for the United States Government. The show quickly made Garner a well-known name in Hollywood and the actress was soon scoring roles in major films. She was cast in a minor role in Michael Bay's World War II drama, Pearl Harbor. And when legendary director Steven Spielberg saw her performance on ABC's Alias, he offered Garner a bit part in his 2002 film, Catch Me If You Can, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks. The following year, Garner co-starred alongside her Pearl Harbor co-star, Ben Affleck, this time as the female lead, in the film adaptation of the comic book Daredevil.


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During the course of Alias, the actress received various award nominations, including four consecutive Emmy Award nominations, four consecutive Golden Globe Award nominations and two consecutive Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. It was at the 2002 ceremonies that The Hollywood Foreign Press awarded the actress with a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series (Drama), and in 2005 the actress was recognized by her peers and awarded with the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series.


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Riding the success of a hit television series, several film offers and critical acclaim, Garner's life seemed to be perfect. But in May of 2003, the actress filed for divorce from husband, Scott Foley, citing "irreconcilable differences". Denying rumors of infidelity, Foley stated the reason for the separation was due to Garner's rise in fame. Garner went on to say that they "really were victims of Hollywood". The couple were officially divorced March 30, 2004.

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Garner continued to keep busy with lead roles in 2004's 13 Going On 30 and 2005's Daredevil follow-up, Elektra, where she reprised her role as Marvel Comics' Elektra Natchios. The actress further shied away from the public, becoming even more private about her personal life. During the course of her brief relationship with her Alias co-star Michael Vartan, the couple avoided making any public appearances together and it wasn't until August 2003 that the actress confirmed that the two were in fact dating. It was a year later that the actress confirmed that the two actors had split up.
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However, try as she may, her personal life soon became front page news when the paparazzi snapped a shot of the actress with fellow actor, Ben Affleck. The couple denied the rumors, stating that they were merely "just friends". But after the actors were spotted at a Boston Red Sox's game, the two finally admitted that they were in fact dating. Soon, pregnancy rumors began to circulate, which both actors denied.

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On Garner's 33rd birthday, Affleck popped the question with a 4.5 carat diamond ring from Harry Winston. The couple married on June 29, 2005. Officiating at the ceremony was Victor Garber, who portrayed Jack Bristow, Sydney Bristow's father, on Alias. Soon after they wed, it became apparent that the actress was indeed pregnant and on December 1, 2005, Garner and Affleck welcomed daughter Violet Anne Affleck into the world.

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After taking a brief hiatus, Garner rejoined her Alias co-stars for the series' fifth and final season. And on May 22, 2006, the actress said goodbye to the show that made her a household name. That same year, Garner starred in the romantic comedy Catch and Release, alongside Timothy Olyphant, Sam Jaeger, Juliette Lewis and one of her husband's good friends, director Kevin Smith.

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In 2007, Garner took on the role of Special Agent Janet Mayes, in Peter Berg's The Kingdom. During the film's arduous Arizona production, the actress had to be hospitalized for heat exhaustion, due to the extreme desert temperatures. That same year, Garner co-starred in Diablo Cody's indie hit, Juno, delivering one of her best performances to date. After the film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Entertainment Weekly declared Garner's role the best female supporting performance of the festival, "The star of Alias and The Kingdom does no butt-kicking in this sweet comedy. Instead, as a young wife desperately hoping to adopt, she's funny, a bit tough, and unbelievably touching."


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Garner ended 2007 with her Broadway debut alongside Kevin Cline and Daniel Sunjata, in David Leveaux's revival of Cyrano de Bergerac. In a review, New York Times' chief theater critic, Ben Brantley, wrote: "Ms. Garner, I am pleased to report, makes Roxane a girl worth pining over. The latest in a boldface film and television actresses to test their stage legs (including Julia Roberts and Claire Danes), Ms. Garner seems by far the most comfortable. The action-ready, long-limbed presence that her a natural for the spy series Alias lends a lively touch of tomboy to Roxane. Like Cyrano, she doesn't quite fit into the regimented world around her, and you can see why these two were meant to be together." Brantley then went on to say, "Not incidentally, Ms. Garner radiates megawatt beauty in Gregory Gale's sumptuous period costumes, and speaks Anthony Burgess' peppery rhymed translation with unaffected sprightliness. If she's a bit stilted in the big tragic finale, her comic timing is impecable. And when Roxane arrives at the siege of Arras, bearing baskets of food for the soldiers, you feel like singing Hello Dolly!"



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On July 17, 2008, Garner's good friend and Alias co-star, Victor Garber, stated that the actress and husband, Ben Affleck, were expecting their second child. The actress took some time off and on January 6, 2009, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck.

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In May 2009, the actress was back to work, in Ghosts of Girfriends Past, a new twist on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, in which she co-starred with Matthew McConaughey. Her most recent film, The Invention of Lying, co-stars Ricky Gervais, Rob Lowe and Tina Fey. and was released on October 2, 2009.




Family, Friends & Passions

flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterJen may seem like Super Mom, juggling a successful acting career, donating time to various charities, running a production company and being an active parent, but in her opinion, she is just like every other mother. "I fake it like any working mom," she recently told People magazine. "If you looked in my bag, there's a sippy cup in there right now!"




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flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterOver the years, Jennifer has continued to remain close with her mother, Patricia. Recently, Pat joined her daughter when she read Is Your Mama A Llama? to a group of Head Start children at the Rosemount Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the launch of the State of the World's Mothers report.


flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixster"Two of my mom's favorite mom-isms are 'Happiness is your own responsibility' and 'Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.' Both are true."













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Jen often attends Red Sox games with her Boston Boy.flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixster






"I think that baseball games are like soap operas. If you watch five in a row, you know enough to get hooked."






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flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterJen, an avid cook, has made several appearances on Martha Stewart's television show. The first time was on Stewart's original show, back in 2003.




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The actress even named her golden Labrador Retriever after Stewart. And in one of her more recent appearances on Stewart's show, Garner brought K-9 Martha along to meet her namesake.










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flixster.actor.pane.162660749 - flixsterJennifer is a fervent supporter of various charities and in 2009, she joined Save the Children's U.S. Programs as an Artist Ambassador. The actress focused on advocating the expansion of the organization's early education program.


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In an interview with CNN in May 2009, she spoke of the importance of reading to your children. "If you could just spend 15 focused minutes a day with your child and a book, it'll make all the difference in their lives."

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Garner and company are urging congressional leaders to approve $2 billion in early childhood development.







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Wanna get involved and help out your community? Check out some of the charities that are important to Jennifer:

Save the Children
Stand Up To Cancer
(RED)
American Red Cross
National Center For Missing & Exploited Children


Current Films

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Co-starring Matthew McConaughey, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Lacey Chabert and Breckin Myer
* Now available on DVD and Blu-ray *



The Invention of Lying
Co-starring Ricky Gervais, Fionnula Flanagan, Rob Lowe, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, Martin Starr and Lewis C.K.
* In theaters October 2, 2009 *



Valentine's Day
Co-starring Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Queen Latifah, Eric Dane, Jessica Biel, Topher Grace and Emma Roberts
* In theaters February 12, 2010 *






Quick Overview

Full Name

  • Jennifer Anne Garner (Affleck)
Date of Birth
  • April 17th, 1972
Place of Birth
  • Houston, Texas
Hometown
  • Charleston, West Virginia
Family
  • William John Garner, father
  • Patricia Anne Garner, mother
  • Melissa Lynn Garner Wylie, sister
  • Susannah Kay Garner Carpenter, sister
  • Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt, husband
  • Violet Anne Affleck, daughter
  • Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, daughter
  • Casey Affleck, brother-in-law
  • Summer Phoenix, sister-in-law
Education
  • George Washington High School, Charleston, West Virginia, Class of '90
  • Denison University, Granville, Ohio, Class of '94
  • National Theater Institute, Waterford, Connecticut
Currently Resides
  • Los Angeles, California
  • Boston, Massachusetts
Religious Affiliations
  • Methodist
Political Affiliations
  • Democrat
Personal Interests & Hobbies
  • kickboxing
  • hiking
  • cooking
  • gardening
Charities/Causes
  • Save the Children
  • Stand Up To Cancer
  • American Red Cross
  • A-T Children's Project
  • Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
  • Cedars-Sinai Hospital
  • Clothes Off Our Backs
  • International Medical Corps
  • Make Poverty History
  • National Center For Missing and Exploited Children
  • Pediatric Epilepsy Project
  • (RED)
  • The Art Elysium
Awards & Achievements
  • In 2001, Garner was named Maxim Magazine's #1 Sexiest Woman of 2001. In years since, the actress has continued to make their Hot 100 list as well as make appearances on People's Most Beautiful People, FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World and Stuff Magazine's 102 Sexiest Women in the World lists
  • 2003 Saturn Award: Best Actress in a Television Series (winner)
  • 2004 Saturn Award: Best Actress in a Television Series (nominee)
  • 2005 Saturn Award: Best Actress on Television (nominee)
  • 2006 Saturn Award: Best Actress on Television (nominee)
  • 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (nominee)
  • 2003 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (nominee)
  • 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (nominee)
  • 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (nominee)
  • 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series ~ Drama (winner)
  • 2003 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series ~ Drama (nominee)
  • 2004 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series ~ Drama (nominee)
  • 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series ~ Drama (nominee)
  • 2003 MTV Movie Award: Best Kiss (nominee)
  • 2003 MTV Movie Award: Breakthrough Female Performance (winner)
  • 2005 MTV Movie Award: Best Kiss (nominee)
  • 2005 MTV Movie Award: Best Musical Performance (nominee)
  • 2008 OFCS Award: Best Supporting Actress (nominee)
  • 2005 People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Star (nominee)
  • 2005 People's Choice Award: Favorite Leading Lady (nominee)
  • 2006 People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Television Star (winner)
  • 2006 People's Choice Award: Favorite Female Action Star (winner)
  • 2003 Golden Satellite Award: Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Drama (nominee)
  • 2004 Golden Satellite Award: Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Drama (nominee)
  • 2005 Golden Satellite Award: Best Actress in a Series, Drama (nominee)
  • 2004 Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by an Female Actor in a Drama Series (nominee)
  • 2005 Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series (winner)
  • 2004 ShoWest Award: Female Star of Tomorrow (winner)
  • 2006 TV Land Award: Little Screen/Big Screen Star ~ Women (nominee)
  • 2007 TV Land Award: Little Screen/Big Screen Star ~ Women (nominee)
  • 2002 Teen Choice Award: TV ~ Choice Actress, Drama (nominee)
  • 2003 Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress ~ Drama/Action Adventure (nominee)
  • 2003 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Chemistry (nominee)
  • 2003 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Breakout Star ~ Female (nominee)
  • 2003 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Actress ~ Drama/Action Adventure (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Liplock (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Hissy Fit (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Chemistry (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Blush (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Actress ~ Comedy (nominee)
  • 2004 Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress ~ Drama/Action Adventure (winner)
  • 2005 Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Chemistry (nominee)
  • 2005 Teen Choice Award: Choice TV Actress ~ Drama (nominee)
  • 2005 Teen Choice Award: Choice Movie Actress ~ Action Adventure/Thriller (nominee)
  • 2006 Teen Choice Award: TV ~ Choice Actress (nominee)
  • 2003 TCA Award: Individual Achievement in Drama (nominee)
  • 2008 Broadway.com Audience Award: Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Play (winner)
Interesting Facts
  • Jennifer studied ballet throughout her youth, beginning at the age of three
  • She played the saxophone in high school and started a Pep Band for the school's basketball team
  • While attending Denison, Garner was initiated into the Phi Beta Phi sorority
  • Was named one of People's Breakthrough Stars of 2001
  • After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the actress recorded a promotional video for the CIA
  • Jennifer directed the Alias episode titled In Dreams
  • January of 2005, Garner had to back out of some of the publicity for the film Elektra, due to nerve damage caused during one of the stunts she performed during the fourth season of Alias
  • Garner produced a total of 17 episodes of Alias
  • December of 2007, Jennifer was named Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail's 2007 West Virginian of the Year, for her "dedication, work ethic and unique role model and ambassador for West Virginia."
  • Garner is close friends with fellow actresses Reese Witherspoon and Jean Louisa Kelly
  • The name of Jennifer's production company is Vandalia Films





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  • In the movie, 13 going on 30, who played Jenna as an adult?  Answer »
  • In the 2005 film Elektra, Jennifer Garner reprises her role from what earlier comic book-inspired film?  Answer »
  • ____ Connelly ____ Garner ____ Tilly ____ Grey  Answer »
  • Who was it that played in the folowing films Electra, 13 going on 30, Daredevil?  Answer »

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