Jennifer Garner - Actresses

Summary

"Jennifer Anne Garner"http://www.hollywood.com/news/Garner_Changes_Her_Name_to_Affleck/3473623 (born April 17, 1972) is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe- and SAG Award-winning American actress. She is best known for her role as CIA agent Sydney Bristow on TV's "Alias".

Biography

Early life

Garner was born in Houston, Texas to Patricia Ann (née English), an English teacher, and Billy Jack Garner, a chemical engineer who worked for Union Carbide. She is the middle child between two sisters, Melissa Garner Wylie (b. 1969, resides in Boston, Massachusetts) and Susannah Garner Carpenter (b. 1975, resides in Charleston, West Virginia). Her family is Methodist.http://www.celebspin.com/ben-affleckn-and-jennifer-garners-daughter-baptized/ At three years old, Garner began taking ballet lessons which she continued throughout her youth. Although she admitted that she loved dancing, she never had ambitions to become a classical ballerina.Murray, R, (Interview with Jennifer Garner) . "About.com". April 12, 2004. Retrieved on December 12, 2006. When she was four years old, her father's job with Union Carbide relocated her family to Princeton, West Virginia, then to Charleston, West Virginia, where Garner resided until her college years.All Movie Guide, (Jennifer Garner) . "The New York Times". Retrieved on December 12, 2006.

In 1990, Garner graduated from George Washington High School in Charleston, where she played the saxophone. She then enrolled at Denison University to study chemistry. Upon realizing that she enjoyed stage acting more than science, Garner changed her major to drama. While at Denison, Garner was initiated into the sorority Pi Beta Phi. Garner graduated from Denison in 1994 and continued her drama education at the National Theater Institute where she was trained by fight choreographer David Chandler, and told she was a natural in stage combat. Keen for immediate experience, she visited her friend, Clayton Kirlew, in New York City in 1995 and decided to take her chances in New York theatre.

Career

In New York City, Garner earned $150 a week as an understudy in a play. She was then cast in her first television role, a part in the made-for-television movie, "Zoya", based on the Danielle Steel novel. Her next acting jobs were in two short-lived television series, "Significant Others" and "Time of Your Life", and a recurring role in the series "Felicity". Garner appeared in the comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?", playing Ashton Kutcher's girlfriend. In 2001, she appeared as a nurse in the big-budget epic "Pearl Harbor", co-starring with Kate Beckinsale and Garner's future husband Ben Affleck .

Later in 2001, J. J. Abrams (who produced "Felicity") approached Garner about starring in a new show he was working on for ABC. Garner auditioned for and was cast in the role of Sydney Bristow in the spy drama "Alias". The series became a success and Garner won the award for 'Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama' at the January 2002 Golden Globes. "Alias" had just begun a few months beforehand, and Garner won the award with only half the season's episodes aired. The series was successful, concluding in May 2006 after a fifth, abbreviated season (due to Garner's pregnancy, a development that was written into the storyline of the fifth season). Garner's salary for the show began at $45,000 an episode, rising to $150,000 per episode by the series' end. During the show's run, Garner received four consecutive Golden Globe nominations for her lead performance. She also received four consecutive Emmy nominations for 'Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.' Garner won the 'Actor Award' from the Screen Actors Guild in 2005. In March 2005, Garner directed the fourth-season "Alias" episode, 'In Dreams,' which aired in May. Garner received producer credit during the series' final season.

After the initial success of "Alias", Garner returned to her film career with a small role in the Steven Spielberg film "Catch Me If You Can", and starred alongside Ben Affleck as Elektra Natchios in the action movie "Daredevil", an adaptation of the comic book. She reprised her role as 'Elektra' in the 2005 spin-off to "Daredevil", entitled "Elektra". Garner showed her comedic side in the romantic comedy "13 Going on 30", which was a financial success and established her as a leading feature film actress. Garner is known for performing her own stunts, and in January 2005 was forced to bow out of some publicity duties for "Elektra", due to what was first thought to have been a viral infection but was revealed to be the effects of nerve damage to her back, caused by a stunt during the filming of the fourth season of "Alias".Susman, G, ' (Spy vs. Spine) '. "Entertainment Weekly". January 6, 2005. Retrieved on December 12, 2006.

Garner entered the "Forbes" 'Power 100' list of celebrities in 2005 at 70th place. (The Celebrity 100) . "Forbes". Retrieved on December 12, 2006. From June 2004 to June 2005, she earned an estimated US $14 million. (Jennifer Garner) . "Forbes". Retrieved on December 12, 2006. During the 2006 Academy Awards ceremony, Garner stumbled on her flowing dress (designed by Michael Kors) as she came onto the stage to present the award for Sound Editing. She did not fall, but lost her balance, and jokingly commented, 'I do my own stunts!'

"Catch and Release", Garner's most recent romantic comedy, was released January 26, 2007. Garner has formed a production company named Vandalia Films, which will produce its first film in 2007. She will produce the company's upcoming films "Sabbatical" and "Be with You". Garner takes her first role as part of an ensemble in "The Kingdom" alongside Jamie Foxx and Jason Bateman. Box office analysts have commented the choice was smart on Garner's part, as her other projects with her as the sole lead are risky gambles. Garner was set to star in Zach Braff's directorial feature of "Open Hearts" but backed out of the project so she could spend more time with her family.

Garner has recently appeared in the Jason Reitman-directed comedy/drama feature "Juno." After that film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Entertainment Weekly declared Garner's role 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.' (Oscar Worthy Performances in Toronto)

Garner will appear as Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway from November 1, 2007 alongside Kevin Kline who is in the title role and Daniel Sunjata. This will be her stage debut. (... more)

Personal life

On October 19, 2000, Garner married actor Scott Foley, whom she 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.Susman, G, '0_0_,00.html Syd Dishes'. "Entertainment Weekly". May 30, 2003. Retrieved on December 12, 2006. Dismissing rumors of infidelity, Foley stated that the reason behind their separation was Garner's increasing fame after the success of "Alias".Bonin, L, ' (Felicitous Split) '. "Entertainment Weekly". October 15, 2003. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. Similarly, Garner claimed that their Hollywood lifestyle led to their failed marriage and they 'really were victims of Hollywood.'' (Garner blames Hollywood for divorce) '. "AskMen.com". August 9, 2004. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. The two were officially divorced on March 30, 2004.

Garner is known for being private about her personal life. This is reflected in her relationships with Michael Vartan and Ben Affleck. Over the course of her relationship with her "Alias" co-star Michael Vartan, she never made any public appearances with him and was late to confirm their relationship in August 2003.Susman, G, ' (Undercover Work) '. "Entertainment Weekly". August 14, 2003. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. Garner began dating Vartan in mid-2003, and though rumors of their break-up began in March 2004,Buzzle Staff and Agencies, ' (Garner & Vartan Split?) '. "Buzzle.com". March 24, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007. Garner only confirmed the end of their relationship in August 2004.' (Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan) '. "Moono.com". August 21, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007.' (Garner Confirms Love Split) '. "AskMen.com". August 19, 2004. Retrieved on January 23, 2007. However, they continue to be close friends.Keck, W, ' (Stay tuned for more Michael Vartan) ', "USA Today". May 12, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.

Garner's relationship with her "Daredevil" co-star Ben Affleck, which started in July 2004, was also very low-key.World Entertainment News Network, ' (Garner Realistic About Affleck Marriage) ', "Hollywood.com". August 22, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. It was months into their relationship before a paparazzo managed to take a shot of these two as a couple. Both stars' publicists denied their relationship until a public appearance at a Boston Red Sox game. When there were rumours of Garner being pregnant, there were repeated denials of the pregnancy. On Garner's 33rd birthday, Affleck proposed to her with a 4.5 carat (900 mg) diamond ring from Harry WinstonSusman, G, '0_0_,00.html Daredevils'. "Entertainment Weekly". April 20, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. and the couple married on June 29, 2005 in a surprise ceremony at the Parrot Cay resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Finally, their publicists confirmed the marriage and pregnancy.Soriano, C, ' (Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner wed) '. "USA Today". June 30, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. At the time, Garner was pregnant with the couple's first child. Officiating at the ceremony was her "Alias" co-star Victor Garber. Her pregnancy was incorporated into the plot of "Alias",World Entertainment News Network, ' (Garner's Pregnancy to Be Included in Alias) '. "Hollywood.com". July 27, 2005. Retrieved on December 13, 2006. with the season's episode order reduced from the initial 22 to 17 in order to let Garner go on maternity leave.Sullivan, B. L., ' (... more) '. "TheFutonCritic.com". February 27, 2006. Retrieved on February 13, 2007. On December 1, 2005 at 3:26 p.m. PST, she gave birth to their daughter, Violet Anne Affleck, in Los Angeles, California.http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1113332,00.html They currently divide their time between Brentwood, Los Angeles, Californiahttp://men.style.com/details/features/full?id=content_5963 and Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has a yellow Labrador Retriever named 'Martha Stewart', which appeared with her on the television show "Martha" January 24, 2007.

Garner enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking and kickboxing (a hobby picked up during training for her "Alias" character). She is close friends with Reese Witherspoon and also close to actress Jean Louisa Kelly, who interviewed Garner for the June 2005 issue of "Self" magazine.