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Jennifer Garner

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Jennifer Garner
Garner at a press conference for The Invention of Lying at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Born
Jennifer Anne Garner

(1972-04-17) April 17, 1972 (age 52)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1995–present
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2000⁠–⁠2004)​
(divorced)
​
(m. 2005)​
2 children

Jennifer Anne Affleck,[1] more commonly known by her birth name, Jennifer Garner (born April 17, 1972), is an American actress. Garner gained recognition on television for her performance as CIA agent Sydney Bristow in the thriller drama series Alias, which aired on ABC for five seasons from 2001 to 2006. While working on Alias, she gained minor roles in hit movies such as Pearl Harbor (2001) and Catch Me if You Can (2002). Since then, Garner has appeared in supporting as well as lead roles on the big screen in projects including Daredevil (2003), 13 Going on 30 (2004) and Juno (2007). She is married to actor and director Ben Affleck, with whom she has two daughters.

Early life

Garner is the second of three daughters born into a middle class family in Houston, Texas. Her mother, Patricia Ann (née English), was an English teacher from Oklahoma, and her father, Bill John Garner, worked as a chemical engineer at Union Carbide. When she was four years old, her father's job with Union Carbide relocated her family to Princeton, West Virginia, and then later to Charleston, West Virginia, where Garner resided until her college years.[2] She has credited her older sister, Melissa Lynn Garner Wylie, who resides in Boston, Massachusetts, as a source of inspiration to her.[3] Her younger sister is Susannah Kay Garner Carpenter.[4]

Garner's conservative upbringing included going to church every Sunday, not wearing make-up or a bikini, and waiting at least until the age of 16 to be allowed to get her ears pierced, which, she later joked, made her family "just a step away from being Amish."[5][6] She began taking ballet lessons at the age of three and continued to dance throughout her youth, but she did not envision herself becoming a classical ballerina.[7] Garner attended the George Washington High School in Charleston. In 1990, she enrolled at Ohio's Denison University, where she majored in drama and worked in numerous theatrical productions.[8] She graduated from Denison, where she was initiated into the sorority Pi Beta Phi, in 1994.[9]

Career

In 1995, Garner started pursuing theater in New York City and earned $150 a week as an understudy in the play A Month in the Country for Roundabout Theatre Company.[3] She was then cast in her first television role as part of a made-for-television movie Zoya, based on the Danielle Steel novel. In the late 1990s, she made brief appearances in individual episodes of Spin City and Law & Order while also securing roles in two short-lived television series, Significant Others and Time of Your Life.

Garner made her first big screen appearance of the 21st century in the comedy Dude, Where's My Car?, playing one of Ashton Kutcher's girlfriends. In 2001, she appeared as the supporting character of a nurse in the big-budget epic Pearl Harbor, starring her future husband Ben Affleck.

Later in 2001, J. J. Abrams, the producer of Felicity, in which Garner had played a recurring role since 1998, approached Garner to audition for the role of Sydney Bristow in his new spy drama Alias. Garner, who up until now had mostly played weepy waifs, did not learn that she "might have to throw a punch or kick" until the first few days of audition.[10] Told that she "throws like such a girl"[10] and with no background in martial arts or gymnastics, she enrolled in a month-long, private Taekwondo class to prepare for the audition.[10] Even as Garner was cast after several auditions, Abrams revealed that he remained panicked with the thought that she might not be able to pull off the role, especially as, on the first day of shooting, he was told by Garner herself, "I don't think I can do this."[11] Garner later commented, "I was such a girlie-girl then. I didn't even know how to punch."[12] While she performed many of the action sequences during the series herself, the dangerous explosions and complex fights were handled by her stunt double, Shauna Duggins.[13] The first few episodes of season one of Alias, which averaged about 10.2 million weekly viewers,[14] earned Garner the award for "Best Actress in a Television Series — Drama" at the 2002 Golden Globe Awards. Garner's salary for the show began at $40,000 an episode and rose to $150,000 per episode by the series' end.[15] During the show's run, Garner received four consecutive Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama well as Emmy nominations for her lead performance. She won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series in 2005. That same year, during the fourth season, Garner directed the Alias episode, "In Dreams", which aired in May. She received producer credit during the series' final season. The series concluded in May 2006 after a shorter fifth season that was abbreviated from 22 to 17 episodes due to Garner's pregnancy, which was written into the season's storyline.[16][17]

After the initial success of Alias, Garner made a big screen cameo in the Steven Spielberg film Catch Me if You Can in 2002. Her breakout film role came when she played Ben Affleck's love interest as Elektra Natchios in the action movie Daredevil (2003), an adaptation of the comic book. Garner stated that her training for Daredevil was more gruesome than her work on Alias, and revealed that as she got hung up on wires several times during fight sequences, Affleck became "in charge of reaching up and saving [her]."[18] She was involved in a potentially serious accident on the set of Daredevil when, entangled in wires with her arms stuck and unable to move while doing a flip, she came crashing towards a wall "head-first with such velocity, that [she] was about to smash [her] head into the wall".[19] Recalling how she was rescued by Affleck, she said in 2003, "out of nowhere comes this 6ft 4in red devil who just kind of put his arms out and shouts: 'I've got her!' I'm telling you, it was like, 'I've got my own superhero.'"[19] While Daredevil got mixed reviews, it was a box office hit.[20]

Garner starred in her first leading role in 13 Going on 30 (2004), a moderate commercial success.[20] Reviewers praised her performance as "radiant"[21] and "effervescent without ever being cloying",[22] and The Christian Science Monitor commented that "while Garner is no Tom Hanks, she's consistently appealing".[23] Her second lead role saw her reprising the character of Elektra in the 2005 Daredevil spin-off titled Elektra, a box office disaster that was panned by critics.[24] The Boston Globe stated, "Based on Garner's humorlessness, lack of vocal inflection, and generally bland disposition, "the Way" she has yet to grasp seems to be that of acting,"[25] whereas USA Today concluded that "Jennifer Garner ... is far more appealing when she's playing charming and adorable, as she did so winningly in 13 Going on 30.[26]

Garner performed the Frank Loesser song "My Heart Is So Full of You" on the 2006 charity album Unexpected Dreams – Songs From the Stars. Her next few films, Catch and Release (2006) and The Kingdom (2007) alongside Jamie Foxx, Jason Bateman and Ashraf Barhom, were box office as well as critical failures. She then appeared in the Jason Reitman-directed comedy/drama feature Juno, which became a sleeper box office hit.[27] After that film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Entertainment Weekly declared Garner's work the best female supporting performance of the festival, saying, "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."[28]

Garner made her Broadway debut on November 1, 2007, playing Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac alongside Kevin Kline at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.[29] The show was originally set to run until December 23, 2007, but it was extended through January 6, 2008 due to the Broadway stagehand strike in late 2007.[30] Garner later appeared in the hit ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day in 2010.

Personal life

On October 19, 2000, Garner married actor Scott Foley, whom she had met on the set of Felicity in 1998. After separating from Foley in March 2003, Garner filed for divorce in May 2003, citing irreconcilable differences, and the two were officially divorced on March 30, 2004.[31][32] Following her separation, Garner dated Alias co-star Michael Vartan from August 2003 to March 2004.[33][34]

Sometime in early to mid 2004, Garner started dating Daredevil co-star Ben Affleck and the two made their first public appearance as a couple by attending the Boston Red Sox's opening World Series games in October 2004.[35] Since her relationship with Affleck, first as girlfriend and then as wife, Garner has been a tabloid staple.[36] "Ben taught me that you cannot read that stuff, that it’s poison," she said in 2009.[37] On Garner's 33rd birthday, Affleck proposed to her with a 4.5 carats (900 mg) diamond ring from Harry Winston.[38] Affleck married Garner, who was already three months pregnant at the time, on June 29, 2005 in a private ceremony, officiated by family friend and Garner's Alias co-star, Victor Garber,[39] at the Parrot Cay resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands.[40] In December 2005, Garner gave birth to their first daughter, Violet Anne Affleck.[41] The couple's second child, Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck, was born in January 2009.[42]

Garner had been stalked since 2002 by a man, Steven Burky, who was eventually arrested in December 2009, after violating a 2008 restraining order against her.[43] Burky was charged with two counts of stalking, to which he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; in March 2010, he was ruled insane and sent to the California state mental hospital with a court order to stay away from the Affleck family for 10 years if released from the hospital.[44]

Garner enjoys cooking and gardening. She has a yellow Labrador Retriever named "Martha Stewart" (after the television personality), that appeared with her on the television show Martha on January 24, 2007. In December 2007, Garner was named The Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail's 2007 West Virginian of the Year "for her dedication, work ethic and unique role as role model and ambassador for West Virginia."[45]

Filmography

Years Title Role Notes
1997 In Harm's Way Kelly
Deconstructing Harry Woman in Elevator
Washington Square Marian Almond
Mr. Magoo Stacey Sampanahodrita
1998 1999 Annabell Alternative title: Girls & Boys
2000 Dude, Where's My Car? Wanda
2001 Pearl Harbor Nurse Sandra
Rennie's Landing Kiley Bradshaw Alternative title: Stealing Time
2002 Catch Me If You Can Cheryl Ann Cameo Role
2003 Daredevil Elektra Natchios
2004 13 Going on 30 older Jenna Rink
2005 Elektra Elektra Natchios
2006 Catch and Release Gray
2007 The Kingdom Janet Mayes
Juno Vanessa Loring Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
2009 Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Jenny Perotti
The Invention of Lying Anna
2010 Valentine's Day Julia Fitzpatrick
2011 Butter Laura Pickler Post-production
Arthur Susan Johnson Filming
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Danielle Steel's Zoya Sasha Television movie
1996 Harvest of Fire Sarah Troyer
Dead Man's Walk Clara Forsythe Miniseries
Swift Justice Allison Episode: "No Holds Barred"
Law & Order Jaime Episode: "Aftershock"
Spin City Becky Episode: "The Competition"
1997 The Player Celia Levison Television movie
Rose Hill Mary Rose Clayborne
1998 Significant Others Nell 6 episodes
1998–2002 Felicity Hannah Bibb 3 episodes
1999 Aftershock: Earthquake in New York Diane Agostini Television movie
The Pretender Billie Vaughn 1 episode
1999–2001 Time of Your Life Romy Sullivan 19 episodes
2001–2006 Alias Sydney Bristow 105 episodes
Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Teen Choice Awards for Television – Choice Actress
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television (2004, 2005, 2006)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Drama Series (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama (2003, 2004, 2005)
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (2003, 2004, 2005)
Nominated—Television Critics Association for Individual Achievement in Drama
Nominated—Teen Choice Awards for Choice Television Actress – Drama

References

  1. ^ "Garner Changes Her Name to Affleck at". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  2. ^ Allmovie, Jennifer Garner. The New York Times. Retrieved on December 12, 2006.
  3. ^ a b Pringle, Gill. "Jennifer Garner: Actress with the ex factor." The Independent. Retrieved on February 12, 2010.
  4. ^ "Texas Births, 1926–1995". Familytreelegends.com. 1975-01-24. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  5. ^ Rader, D. She's Reaching For Happiness—Again Parade magazine, April 11, 2004. Retrieved on April 8, 2009.
  6. ^ Lights..... Cameras...... Action Mum! News of the World Sunday magazine, pp67-70, November 4, 2007.
  7. ^ Murray, R, Interview with Jennifer Garner. About.com. April 12, 2004. Retrieved on December 12, 2006.
  8. ^ "Jennifer Garner To Speak at Provost Alumni Series Convocation". Denison.edu. 2002-09-16. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  9. ^ Violet's Auntie says: (2007-08-02). "CO-ED Interview with Jennifer Garner". Coedmagazine.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  10. ^ a b c Peyser, Marc (2001-11-01). "Watch Your Back, Buffy". Newsweek. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  11. ^ Morrow, Terry (2001-11-23). "Gung-ho Garner kicks her way into 'Alias' role". Knoxville News-Sentinel. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Morrow, Terry (2002-02-10). "All-action Alias is a stunner". Sunday Herald Sun. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  13. ^ Bianco, Robert (2002-02-01). "'Alias' Jennifer Garner". USA Today. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  14. ^ Kaplan, Don (2002-01-22). "The girl who killed X-files". New York Post. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  15. ^ Susman, Gary (2003-08-01). "Syd Syd". Ew.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  16. ^ "Garner's Pregnancy to Be Included in Alias". Hollywood.com. 2005-07-27. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  17. ^ Sullivan, B. L. "[1]". TheFutonCritic.com. February 27, 2006. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
  18. ^ Schaefer, Stephen (2006-02-14). "Garner becomes Elektra for action film". Boston Herald. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  19. ^ a b Rose, Tiffany (2003-02-09). "Q — The Interview — Jennifer Garner". Independent on Sunday. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Daredevil (2003) – Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 23, 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Boxofficemojo" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  21. ^ "13 Going on 30 review". Accessatlanta.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  22. ^ "13 Going on 30". Slantmagazine.com. 2004-04-11. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  23. ^ "Female 'Big' a little wobbly". Csmonitor.com. 2004-04-23. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  24. ^ Elektra – Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 30, 2010.
  25. ^ Morris, Wesley (2005-01-14). "Garner brings stunts but no spark to 'Elektra'". Boston.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  26. ^ Puig, Claudia (2005-01-13). "'Elektra' is a fight to the finish". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  27. ^ "Juno at Box Office Mojo". Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  28. ^ Karger, Dave (2007-09-11). "Oscar Worthy Performances in Toronto". Popwatch.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  29. ^ E! News – Garner Has Nose for Broadway – Jennifer Garner | Kevin Kline[dead link]
  30. ^ More Chances To See Jen! | GarnerWatch[dead link]
  31. ^ Susman, G. "Syd Dishes". Entertainment Weekly. May 30, 2003. Retrieved on December 12, 2006.
  32. ^ Bonin, L. "Felicitous Split". Entertainment Weekly. October 15, 2003. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  33. ^ Susman, G, "Undercover Work". Entertainment Weekly. August 14, 2003. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  34. ^ Buzzle Staff and Agencies, "Garner & Vartan Split?". Buzzle.com. March 24, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.
  35. ^ "Ben: I'm so batty about Jen". Mirror. 2004-10-27. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  36. ^ Koltnow, Barry (2005-01-13). "Elektra-fying". The Courier-Mail. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Susman, G., Jennifer Garner talks Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past". movies.ie. April 17, 2009. Retrieved on February 13, 2010.
  38. ^ Susman, G, "Daredevils". Entertainment Weekly. April 20, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  39. ^ "Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Wed". People. 2005-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
  40. ^ Soriano, C, "Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner wed". USA Today. June 30, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  41. ^ "Ben & Jen's Baby Violet Settles In". People. 2005-12-08. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  42. ^ "Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner name daughter Seraphina". The Daily Telegraph. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  43. ^ "Jennifer Garner 'stalker' sent to mental hospital". BBC. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  44. ^ Millat, Caitlin (2010-03-30). "Judge Finds Accused Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Stalker Insane". Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  45. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2007-12-30). "Jennifer Garner Receives State Honor at Home". People.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
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