(1972-)

Who Is Jennifer Garner?

Jennifer Garner was born on April 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas. After performing on stage, she moved to Los Angeles for television work, landing bit parts on Spin City and Law & Order. In 2000 she earned notice for her role on Felicity, and was cast in the TV drama Alias, which earned her a Golden Globe Award. Following her TV success, she landed roles in films like Catch Me If You Can, Elektra, The Kingdom, Juno and Dallas Buyers Club. She was also known for her marriage to fellow Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, until their divorce in 2018.

(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Jennifer Garner

Early Life

Actress Jennifer Anne Garner was born on April 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas. The daughter of a chemical engineer and a retired English professor, Garner was raised in Charleston, West Virginia, with her two sisters. She attended Denison University in Ohio, where she graduated with a degree in theater in 1996. After performing on stage in New York City, she moved to Los Angeles to work in television, landing bit parts on several shows, including Spin City and Law & Order.

Movies and TV Shows

'Alias'

In 2000 Garner earned notice for her recurring role on the hit show Felicity, and the show's producer subsequently cast her as the lead in the ABC drama Alias. It was her starring turn as CIA agent Sydney Bristow that made the actress into an overnight success, earning her a loyal following of viewers and critical praise. Garner won a Golden Globe award for her performance on the show, and earned multiple Emmy nominations as well.

'13 Going on 30,' 'Daredevil,' 'Elektra'

Garner was then cast in such feature films as Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can, co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio; Daredevil, co-starring Ben Affleck; and 13 Going On 30, with Mark Ruffalo. In January 2005, she starred in the Daredevil spinoff, Elektra.

'The Kingdom,' 'Juno'

In 2007 Garner appeared in the action film The Kingdom, which addressed U.S. conflicts with the oil industry in Saudi Arabia. That same year, she joined Ellen Page, Michael Cera and Jason Bateman in the critically acclaimed indie comedy Juno.

'The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,' 'Dallas Buyers Club,' 'Alexander'

Garner starred in the 2009 romantic comedy The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, with Matthew McConaughey, and the 2011 reboot of Arthur, with Russell Brand. She also played Dr. Eve Saks in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic Dallas Buyers Club, opposite McConaughey and Jared Leto. In 2014 Garner's film projects included Draft Day, Men, Women & Children and the film adaptation of the popular children's book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

'Danny Collins,' 'Nine Lives,' 'The Tribes of Palos Verdes'

After joining Al Pacino and Annette Bening for 2015's Danny Collins, Garner starred in the inspirational drama Miracles from Heaven and appeared with Kevin Spacey in the comedy Nine Lives in 2016. The following year she featured prominently in the family drama The Tribes of Palos Verdes.

'Love, Simon,' 'Peppermint'

After starring in the 2018 rom-com Love, Simon, Garner returned to her action-packed roots as the lead in the high-voltage vigilante flick Peppermint, and headlined the HBO comedy series Camping. She then provided voice work for the animated Wonder Park (2019), alongside Matthew Broderick, John Oliver and Mila Kunis.

Ben Affleck, Kids & Family Life

Garner was married to actor Scott Foley from 2000 until 2004. In 2005 she married Daredevil co-star Ben Affleck, with whom she has three children: daughters Violet and Seraphina and son Samuel. After 10 years of marriage, Garner and Affleck announced their separation in June 2015.

In March 2017 People magazine reported that the two were attempting to work on their marriage. Around that time, Affleck also posted on Facebook that he was making progress in his battle to remain sober. "I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I've dealt with in the past and will continue to confront," he wrote. "I'm lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as I've done the work I set out to do." However, the two formally filed for divorce in April. It was reportedly an amicable split in which they petitioned for joint legal and physical custody of their children.

In August 2018 Garner conducted an intervention with Affleck about his alcohol relapse, which seemed to have occurred soon after his split with his SNL producer-girlfriend Lindsay Shookus. He willingly conceded to seek treatment, and Garner was subsequently photographed escorting him to the live-in treatment facility in Malibu.

That same month, it was reported that the couple had finally reached a divorce settlement but were going to hold off filing until after Affleck finished his rehabilitation. The divorce was finalized on October 5, 2018.

The following April, Garner was featured on the cover of People magazine's "Beautiful Issue," which celebrated her success at balancing the demands of Hollywood and family life.

QUICK FACTS

Birth Year: 1972
Birth date: April 17, 1972
Birth State: Texas
Birth City: Houston
Birth Country: United States
Gender: Female
Best Known For: Actress Jennifer Garner won a Golden Globe Award for her starring role on the television drama 'Alias,' and went on to appear in films like 'Catch Me If You Can,' 'Daredevil,' 'Elektra,' 'Juno' and 'Dallas Buyers Club.'
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