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 born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. She studied theater at Denison University and started her acting career as an understudy in New York City. She gained recognition for her starring role in the Fox teen drama series *Time of Your Life* (1999–2000) and supporting roles in films such as *Pearl Harbor* (2001) and *Catch Me If You Can* (2002).

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 in Houston, Texas.

Others born on this day/year

1990: Enrolled at Denison University

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

1993: Studying 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: Graduation 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 and began working as an understudy and made her first on-screen appearance in Zoya.

1998: Meeting Scott Foley

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

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October 19, 2000: Marriage to Scott Foley

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

2002: Political Advertisement

In 2002, Jennifer Garner filmed a television advertisement for Corey Palumbo, a Democratic candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates.

March 2003: Separation from Scott Foley

In March 2003, Jennifer Garner and Scott Foley separated.

May 2003: Divorce Filing

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

August 2003: Dating Michael Vartan

Jennifer Garner dated her Alias co-star Michael Vartan from August 2003 to mid-2004.

2003: Acted in Daredevil

Jennifer Garner acted in the movie Daredevil in 2003 with Ben Affleck, where they established a friendship.

March 2004: Divorce Finalized

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

August 2004: Dating Ben Affleck

Jennifer Garner began dating Ben Affleck in August 2004, having established a friendship on the sets of Pearl Harbor (2001) and Daredevil (2003).

June 29, 2005: Marriage to Ben Affleck

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

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: Return to Work After a Break

In 2007, Jennifer Garner returned to work after a one-year break, starring in Juno and The Kingdom. She was also nursing her baby and was hospitalized on two occasions with heatstroke during filming in Arizona.

2008: Fundraisers for Barack Obama

In 2008, Jennifer Garner hosted two fundraisers for Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Primary.

2008: Restraining Order Obtained

In 2008, Jennifer Garner, her then-husband Affleck, and their daughter Violet obtained a restraining order against Steven Burky, who had been stalking Garner since 2002.

December 2009: Arrest of Stalker

In December 2009, Steven Burky, Jennifer Garner's stalker, was arrested outside Violet's preschool and charged with two counts of stalking.

2009: Save the Children Artist Ambassador

In 2009, Jennifer Garner became an artist ambassador for Save the Children USA, promoting literacy, nutrition, and early education.

March 2010: Adjudication of Insanity

In March 2010, Steven Burky, Jennifer Garner's stalker, was adjudicated insane and sent to California's state mental hospital. A restraining order was issued to keep him away from the Garner-Affleck family for 10 years upon his release.

2011: Frigidaire Partnership

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

2011: Death of Gary Winick

In 2011, director Gary Winick passed away; Jennifer Garner chose him to direct the film 13 Going on 30 in 2004, and they sought other projects together until his death.

August 2013: Testimony Before California Assembly Judiciary Committee

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: California Law Protecting Celebrities' Children

In September 2013, a bill Jennifer Garner supported, protecting celebrities' children from harassment, passed in California and is now California law.

2013: Save the Children Gala

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

2014: Advocacy for Paparazzi Restrictions

In 2014, Jennifer Garner and her then-husband Ben Affleck advocated for paparazzi restrictions, including a United Kingdom-style system and the "No Kids" policy.

2014: Donation to Wendy Davis

In 2014, Jennifer Garner donated $25,000 to the campaign of Democratic politician Wendy Davis.

2014: Invest in Us Campaign

In 2014, Jennifer Garner joined the Invest in Us campaign.

2014: Save the Children Board of Trustees

Since 2014, Jennifer Garner has served on the board of trustees for Save the Children, advocating for early childhood education.

June 2015: Intention to Divorce Announced

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

2015: Resumption of Church Attendance

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

2015: A Path Appears Documentary

In 2015, Jennifer Garner appeared in A Path Appears, a PBS documentary focusing 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, and attended voter registration and phone bank events in support of Clinton in Reno, Nevada.

April 2017: Legal Documents Filed

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

October 2018: Divorce Finalized

In October 2018, Jennifer Garner's divorce from Ben Affleck 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 and became its chief brand officer.

2018: Dating John C. Miller

Jennifer Garner dated businessman John C. Miller from mid-2018 to early 2020.

2019: Reflection on Paparazzi Harassment

In 2019, Jennifer Garner reflected on the paparazzi harassment her family faced and noted the improvements since the legislation passed, while acknowledging that issues still persist.