The American film industry is likely the most popular worldwide. Actors from the U.S., even after appearing in minor projects or films, gain a certain level of recognition—not to mention those fortunate enough to land roles in top productions. More on this at i-houston.
Popular American actress Jennifer Garner has appeared in numerous projects, movies, and series, earning various awards and continuing to pursue her beloved career to this day.
How did a girl from Houston decide to become an actress? Which roles made her famous? How has her personal life unfolded?
A Strict Childhood
Jennifer Anne Garner hails from Houston, Texas. She was born on April 17, 1972, into a traditional family. Her mother initially worked as a homemaker but later studied English and taught at a local college. Jennifer’s father was a chemical engineer at a large American company. Garner is the middle child, with an older and a younger sister. Her older sister, Melissa, was a role model, but young Jennifer did her best to stand out and be different.
The sisters grew up under strict rules. Their conservative, religious parents did not allow them to wear makeup, paint their nails or hair, get piercings, or choose their own clothes. Instead, they were required to attend church weekly.
When Jennifer was three, the family moved to Charleston, West Virginia. There, she completed high school and went on to university. Initially, she studied chemistry but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. She enrolled in an acting class, changed her major, and switched to theater. While studying theater, she realized she had enjoyed performing from a young age. Little Garner loved reading books expressively, reciting poems for her family, and even attending theater. However, since she was also interested in science, it took her time to decide her priority.
During her summer breaks, she performed in “summer theater,” and by the following year (1994), she graduated from the theater institute.
Working Hard
While studying, Jennifer worked in theater. After graduating, she struggled to make ends meet, taking on a variety of jobs. In addition to performing on stage, she worked with costumes, helped with set design, sold tickets, and even cleaned the theater. After trying several theaters across various states, Garner decided to move to New York City in 1995. Initially, she worked as an understudy in a theater company, earning $150 a week. This same year, she appeared on screen for the first time in a minor role in the series Zoya.
She began receiving small television roles, but still worked as a waitress to make ends meet, as her acting projects were not yet financially rewarding.
Her first leading role came in 1997 when she moved to Los Angeles, where she starred in the film Rose Hill. This opened the door to more promising offers.
In 1999, Jennifer landed another lead role in Time of Your Life.
The project that truly put her on the map was the series Alias, which aired from 2001 to 2006. Garner’s earnings soared—from $40,000 at the start to $150,000 by the series’ end. For this role, she won several awards, including a Golden Globe, and received Emmy nominations for Best Actress.
The film 13 Going on 30, in which Garner starred, also brought her success and became a favorite among romantic comedy fans.
Personal Life and the Paparazzi
Garner’s first husband was Scott Foley, an actor she met while working on the TV series Felicity. The couple married in 2000 after two years together, but the marriage lasted only three years, ending in divorce in 2004. Both attributed the split to irreconcilable differences that prevented a happy married life.
Ben Affleck was one of the most significant men in Garner’s life. The couple met on set, as Ben was also an actor and director. They worked together in Pearl Harbor and Daredevil. This friendship turned into romance in 2004, and by summer 2005, they were married in a small ceremony with only two guests. The couple went on to have three children: two daughters—Violet Anne Affleck (2005) and Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck (2009)—and a son, Samuel Garner Affleck (2012).
The couple kept their first pregnancy secret until Jennifer inadvertently revealed it on The Tonight Show.
Fans considered Ben and Jennifer an ideal couple. They looked genuinely happy, especially with the arrival of their second and then third child. In interviews, both spoke warmly of each other. Ben humorously mentioned that, living with three women, he made three mistakes daily. Jennifer frequently mentioned how much she felt supported by her husband and said she could not bear to be far from him or their children.
In 2013, Jennifer and her family raised serious concerns about intrusive journalists, especially given the constant attention paid to their children. Photographers would follow their children at school, parks, and extracurricular activities, often photographing them from a distance. This concern led them to join other celebrity parents in advocating for a law prohibiting unauthorized photography of minors. They also chose not to share images or videos of their children on social media.
Though the couple seemed perfect to the public, they surprised fans by announcing their separation in 2015, after a decade of marriage. The divorce took time, given the arrangements over custody. By 2018, the divorce was finalized.
In interviews, both actors shared that Ben’s struggles with alcohol were a major factor in the breakdown of their marriage. Affleck expressed regret about the divorce, wishing to reconcile. Jennifer, meanwhile, spoke fondly of Ben, recalling how happy she was in their marriage until issues with alcohol arose.
In 2018, Jennifer began dating American businessman John Miller. The two separated in 2020 but reportedly rekindled their romance in 2021.
Brightest and Most Unforgettable Roles
Jennifer Garner starred in numerous films and series. Experts often noted that she excelled in romantic and action roles, embodying characters who were both romantic and strong.
The film Dallas Buyers Club (2013) received positive reviews and earned back its budget after its release.
However, Miracles from Heaven (2016), where Garner played a girl dealing with a terminal illness after a near-death experience, received mixed reactions from critics and audiences, with some questioning her performance.
Garner has also appeared in notable films like Love, Simon (2018), Peppermint (2018), the animated Wonder Park (2019), and The Adam Project (2022).