Childhood and Education Journey of Jennifer Garner in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jennifer Garner. A timeline of key moments.

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.'

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

April 17, 1972: Jennifer Garner's Birth

On April 17, 1972, Jennifer Anne Garner was born. She is an American actress.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Enrolled at Denison University

In 1990, Jennifer Garner enrolled at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

1993: Studied at the National Theater Institute

In the fall semester of 1993, Jennifer Garner studied at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.

1994: Graduated from Denison University

In 1994, Jennifer Garner graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater performance from Denison University.

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.

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: Meeting Scott Foley on Felicity set

In 1998, Jennifer Garner met Scott Foley on the set of Felicity.

October 19, 2000: Marriage to Scott Foley

On October 19, 2000, Jennifer Garner married Scott Foley in a ceremony at their home.

2001: Worked with Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor

In 2001, Jennifer Garner worked with Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor, establishing a friendship before dating in 2004.

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.

March 2003: Separation from Scott Foley

In March 2003, Jennifer Garner and Scott Foley separated.

May 2003: Filing for divorce from Scott Foley

In May 2003, Jennifer Garner filed for divorce from Scott Foley, citing irreconcilable differences.

August 2003: Dating Michael Vartan

In August 2003, Jennifer Garner began dating her Alias co-star Michael Vartan.

2003: Working with Ben Affleck in Daredevil

In 2003, Jennifer Garner worked with Ben Affleck in Daredevil, establishing a friendship before dating in 2004.

March 2004: Divorce from Scott Foley finalized

In March 2004, Jennifer Garner's divorce from Scott Foley was finalized.

August 2004: Dating Ben Affleck

In August 2004, Jennifer Garner began dating Ben Affleck.

June 29, 2005: Marriage to Ben Affleck

On June 29, 2005, Jennifer Garner married Ben Affleck in a private Turks and Caicos ceremony.

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.

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.

2008: Hosting fund-raisers for Barack Obama

In 2008, Jennifer Garner hosted two fund-raisers for Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Primary.

2008: Restraining order against Steven Burky

In 2008, Jennifer Garner, her then-husband Ben Affleck, and their daughter Violet obtained a restraining order against Steven Burky, who had been stalking Garner.

December 2009: Arrest of stalker Steven Burky

In December 2009, Steven Burky, who had been stalking Jennifer Garner, was arrested outside her daughter Violet's preschool. He was charged with two counts of stalking.

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.

March 2010: Adjudication of Steven Burky as insane

In March 2010, Steven Burky, Jennifer Garner's stalker, was adjudicated insane and sent to California's state mental hospital. He was also ordered to stay away from the Garner-Affleck family for 10 years if released.

2011: Gary Winick's Death

In 2011, Gary Winick died. He directed Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30 (2004) and they planned to continue to work together on other projects.

2011: Partnering with Frigidaire

In 2011, Jennifer Garner partnered with Frigidaire as part of her work with Save the Children.

August 2013: Testifying before California Assembly

In August 2013, Jennifer Garner testified before the California Assembly Judiciary Committee in support of a bill that would protect celebrities' children from harassment by photographers.

September 2013: Bill to protect children from paparazzi passed

In September 2013, the bill Jennifer Garner supported, which protects celebrities' children from paparazzi harassment, passed and became California law.

2013: Taking her daughter to Save the Children gala

In 2013, Jennifer Garner took her eldest daughter Violet to a Save the Children gala in New York.

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: Supporting "No Kids" policy

In 2014, Jennifer Garner spoke in support of the "No Kids" policy, which was adopted by many media organizations and forbids publication of photos of celebrities' children.

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.

June 2015: Announcing intention to divorce Ben Affleck

In June 2015, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck announced their intention to divorce.

2015: Attending Methodist church services

In 2015, Jennifer Garner and her family started attending weekly Methodist church services in Los Angeles.

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.

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.

April 2017: Filing legal documents for divorce

In April 2017, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck jointly filed legal documents seeking joint custody of their children.

October 2018: Divorce from Ben Affleck finalized

In October 2018, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's divorce was finalized.

2018: Co-founding Once Upon a Farm

In 2018, Jennifer Garner co-founded the organic, fresh baby food company Once Upon a Farm.

2018: Dating John C. Miller

In mid-2018, Jennifer Garner began dating businessman John C. Miller.

2019: Reflection on Paparazzi Intrusion

In 2019, Jennifer Garner reflected on the consistent presence of paparazzi outside her home for a decade, noting some improvement since legislation passed but continued challenges with photographers near her children's school.