Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jennifer Garner
Discover the career path of Jennifer Garner, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jennifer Garner is an American actress who studied theater and began her acting career in New York City. She gained recognition through her starring role in the teen drama 'Time of Your Life' and supporting roles in films like 'Pearl Harbor' and 'Catch Me If You Can.'
1992: Worked at the Timber Lake Playhouse
In 1992, Jennifer Garner worked at the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Illinois during college summer.
1993: Worked at the Barn Theatre
In 1993, Jennifer Garner worked at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan, during college summer.
1994: Graduated from Denison University
In 1994, Jennifer Garner graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater performance from Denison University.
1994: Worked at the Georgia Shakespeare Festival
In 1994, Jennifer Garner worked at the Georgia Shakespeare Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, during college summer.
1995: Moved to New York City
In 1995, Jennifer Garner moved to New York City. During her first year, she earned $150 per week as an understudy for a Roundabout Theatre Company production of A Month in the Country and made her first on-screen appearance as Melissa Gilbert's daughter in the romance miniseries Zoya.
1996: Acted in Harvest of Fire and Dead Man's Walk
In 1996, Jennifer Garner played an Amish woman in the television movie Harvest of Fire and a shopkeeper in the Western miniseries Dead Man's Walk. She also appeared in the independent short film In Harm's Way and made one-off appearances in Spin City, and the legal dramas Swift Justice and Law & Order.
1997: Moved to Los Angeles
In 1997, Jennifer Garner moved to Los Angeles, gained her first leading role in the television film Rose Hill, and made her first feature film appearance in the period drama Washington Square.
1998: Appeared in Fantasy Island and Significant Others
In 1998, Jennifer Garner appeared in an episode of Fantasy Island and was cast as a series regular in the Fox drama Significant Others, which was canceled after airing three episodes. Garner also had a role in J. J. Abrams' college drama series Felicity.
1999: Cast in Time of Your Life
In 1999, Jennifer Garner was cast as a series regular in another Fox drama series, Time of Your Life, but it was canceled midway through the first season. Also in 1999, she appeared in the miniseries Aftershock: Earthquake in New York and in two episodes of the action drama series The Pretender.
2000: Acted in Dude, Where's My Car?
In 2000, Jennifer Garner played the girlfriend of Ashton Kutcher's character in the comedy Dude, Where's My Car?
2001: Acted in Stealing Time and Pearl Harbor, Cast in Alias
In 2001, Jennifer Garner appeared briefly opposite her husband Scott Foley in the drama Stealing Time and had a small role as a nurse in the war epic Pearl Harbor. Also in 2001, Garner was cast as the star of the ABC action thriller series Alias.
2001: Starred in Alias
In 2001, Jennifer Garner played Sydney Bristow in the ABC action thriller series Alias. Alias earned her a Golden Globe, and four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, among other honors.
2002: Filming advertisement for Corey Palumbo
In 2002, Jennifer Garner filmed a television advertisement for her childhood friend Corey Palumbo, who was running for the West Virginia House of Delegates.
2002: Acted in Catch Me If You Can
In 2002, Jennifer Garner played a role as a high-class call girl in the crime comedy-drama film Catch Me If You Can, after Steven Spielberg offered her the role.
2002: Singing "Since I Fell For You" in Alias
In 2002, Jennifer Garner sang a version of the song "Since I Fell For You", with lyrics she wrote herself, in an episode of the series Alias.
2003: Played Elektra in Daredevil
In 2003, Jennifer Garner played Elektra in the superhero film Daredevil, receiving further recognition for her role.
2003: Singing "My Funny Valentine" on Saturday Night Live
In 2003, Jennifer Garner sang "My Funny Valentine" while hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live.
2004: Starred in 13 Going on 30
In 2004, Jennifer Garner starred in the romantic comedy 13 Going on 30, receiving further recognition for her role.
2005: Acted in Elektra
In 2005, Jennifer Garner reprised the character of Elektra in the Daredevil spin-off film Elektra; it was a box office and critical failure.
April 4, 2006: Release of Unexpected Dreams – Songs from the Stars album
On April 4, 2006, Jennifer Garner participated in the compilation album Unexpected Dreams – Songs from the Stars, singing "My Heart Is So Full Of You".
2006: Alias Aired Until 2006
From 2001 to 2006, Jennifer Garner starred in the ABC action thriller series Alias.
2006: Speaking at rally in support of Jerry McNerney
In 2006, Jennifer Garner spoke at a rally in support of Democratic congressional candidate Jerry McNerney in Pleasanton, California.
2006: End of Alias
Jennifer Garner concluded her role as Sydney Bristow in the ABC action thriller series Alias in 2006. She played the main role since 2001.
2007: Returned to Work in Juno and The Kingdom
After a one-year break, Jennifer Garner returned to work in 2007 with a supporting role in Juno as a woman desperate to adopt a child and also played an FBI investigator in the action thriller The Kingdom. She was nursing her baby during filming in Arizona and was hospitalized on two occasions with heatstroke.
2007: Acted in Catch and Release
Although filmed in 2005 in between seasons of Alias, Jennifer Garner's romantic drama Catch and Release was not released until early 2007 and failed to recoup its production budget.
2007: Global Warming Awareness Video
In 2007, Jennifer Garner appeared in a global warming awareness video produced by the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
2007: Starred in Juno
In 2007, Jennifer Garner received further recognition for her starring role in Juno.
2007: Played Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac on Broadway and Became a Neutrogena spokesperson
In late 2007, Jennifer Garner played Roxanne to Kevin Kline's Cyrano de Bergerac at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway. Also, in 2007, she became a spokesperson of skin care brand Neutrogena.
2008: Hosting fund-raisers for Barack Obama
In 2008, Jennifer Garner hosted two fund-raisers for Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Primary.
2008: Cyrano de Bergerac Aired on PBS
Jennifer Garner's play, Cyrano de Bergerac, which was recorded before a live audience, aired on PBS in 2008.
2009: Becoming an artist ambassador for Save the Children USA
In 2009, Jennifer Garner became an artist ambassador for Save the Children USA, promoting national literacy, nutrition, and early education efforts.
2009: Acted in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
In 2009, Jennifer Garner co-starred in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, portraying the childhood friend of a famous photographer and womanizer.
2009: Acted in The Invention of Lying
In 2009, Jennifer Garner's second performance was in comedian Ricky Gervais's directorial debut The Invention of Lying.
2010: Starred in Valentine's Day
In 2010, Jennifer Garner received further recognition for her starring role in Valentine's Day.
2011: Acted in Arthur
In 2011, Jennifer Garner had a supporting role as a villainous deranged bride in the comedy Arthur, a remake of the 1981 film of the same name, directed by Jason Winer and co-starring Russell Brand and Helen Mirren.
2011: Partnering with Frigidaire
In 2011, Jennifer Garner partnered with Frigidaire as part of her work with Save the Children.
2012: Acted in The Odd Life of Timothy Green and Butter
In 2012, Jennifer Garner played a mother for the first time in the drama The Odd Life of Timothy Green. That same year, Garner produced and starred in the satirical comedy Butter.
2013: Dallas Buyers Club Release and Max Mara Spokesperson
In 2013, Jennifer Garner starred in the biographical drama Dallas Buyers Club as a doctor treating AIDS patients. The movie was critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Also in 2013, Garner became the first celebrity spokesperson for the Italian fashion brand Max Mara.
2013: Starred in Dallas Buyers Club
In 2013, Jennifer Garner starred in the biographical drama Dallas Buyers Club.
2014: Donating to Wendy Davis' campaign
In 2014, Jennifer Garner donated $25,000 to the campaign of Democratic politician Wendy Davis.
2014: Joining the Invest in Us campaign
In 2014, Jennifer Garner joined the Invest in Us campaign.
2014: Roles in Draft Day, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Men, Women & Children, and Capital One Spokesperson
In 2014, Jennifer Garner starred in Draft Day, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Men, Women & Children. In late 2014, she also became the spokesperson for Capital One Venture Air Miles credit card.
2014: Starred in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
In 2014, Jennifer Garner starred in the family comedy Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
2014: Serving on the board of trustees for Save the Children
Since 2014, Jennifer Garner has served on the board of trustees for Save the Children, advocating for early childhood education.
2015: Appearing in A Path Appears documentary
In 2015, Jennifer Garner appeared in A Path Appears, a PBS documentary that focuses on rural poverty among children in West Virginia.
2015: Supporting role in Danny Collins
In 2015, Jennifer Garner played a supporting role in Danny Collins, a drama inspired by the story of folk singer Steve Tilston. Garner played the wife of Bobby Cannavale's character, receiving positive reviews for her performance.
2016: Fundraiser for Hillary Clinton
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Jennifer Garner hosted a fundraiser in support of Hillary Clinton in Bozeman, Montana. Garner also attended voter registration and phone bank events in support of Clinton in Reno, Nevada.
2016: Singing "Doin' It (All for My Baby)" in Mother's Day
In 2016, Jennifer Garner sang "Doin' It (All for My Baby)" in the Garry Marshall comedy-drama Mother's Day.
2016: Starring in Miracles from Heaven and Nine Lives
In 2016, Jennifer Garner starred in Miracles from Heaven, playing the mother of a young girl with an incurable disease. That same year, she also starred in the comedy Nine Lives. Garner also made an uncredited cameo appearance in Mother's Day (2016).
May 2017: Premiere of Wakefield
In May 2017, Jennifer Garner appeared in the drama Wakefield, which premiered at TIFF and was released in May 2017.
August 2018: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and role in Camping
In August 2018, Jennifer Garner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She also had a leading role in the HBO comedy series Camping in 2018.
2018: Co-founding Once Upon a Farm
In 2018, Jennifer Garner co-founded the organic, fresh baby food company Once Upon a Farm.
2018: Co-starring in Love, Simon, voicing Mama Llama, and starring in Peppermint
In 2018, Jennifer Garner co-starred in Love, Simon and voiced Mama Llama for Netflix's Llama Llama series. Also in 2018, she starred in the action film Peppermint.
2018: Starred in Love, Simon and Peppermint
In 2018, Jennifer Garner starred in the family comedy Love, Simon, and the action film Peppermint.
2019: Once Upon a Farm becomes WIC-eligible
In 2019, Once Upon a Farm became the first refrigerated baby food available to WIC-eligible families.
2020: Starring in Home Movie: The Princess Bride
In 2020, Jennifer Garner starred in the Quibi comedy miniseries Home Movie: The Princess Bride, a fan-made recreation of the 1987 film.
March 2021: Release of Yes Day
In March 2021, Jennifer Garner produced and starred in the Netflix family comedy film Yes Day.
2021: Singing "Baby I Need Your Loving" in Yes Day
In 2021, Jennifer Garner sang the Four Tops's song "Baby I Need Your Loving" in the family comedy Yes Day.
2021: Starred in Yes Day
In 2021, Jennifer Garner starred in the family comedy Yes Day.
2022: Starred in The Adam Project
In 2022, Jennifer Garner starred in the action film The Adam Project.
2022: Starring in The Adam Project and guest appearance in Upload
In 2022, Jennifer Garner starred in the science fiction action film The Adam Project. In that same year, she made a guest appearance in an episode of the Amazon Prime Video science fiction comedy series Upload.
November 2023: Release of Family Switch
In November 2023, Jennifer Garner starred as Jess Walker in the family comedy film Family Switch, which was released on Netflix.
2023: Starred in The Last Thing He Told Me
In 2023, Jennifer Garner starred in the Apple TV+ drama series The Last Thing He Told Me.
July 26, 2024: Release of Deadpool & Wolverine
On July 26, 2024, Jennifer Garner will reprise her role as Elektra Natchios in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine.
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