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 career in New York City. She gained recognition through roles in television series like 'Time of Your Life' and supporting roles in films such as '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 and 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.

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1997: Moved to Los Angeles and Gained First Leading Role

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.

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October 19, 2000: Married Scott Foley

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

2002: Filmed Advertisement for Corey Palumbo

In 2002, Jennifer Garner filmed a 30-second television advertisement for her childhood friend Corey Palumbo, who was running as a Democratic candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates.

March 2003: Separated from Scott Foley

In March 2003, Jennifer Garner and Scott Foley separated.

May 2003: Filed for Divorce from Scott Foley

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

March 2004: Divorce from Scott Foley Finalized

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

August 2004: Began Dating Ben Affleck

In August 2004, Jennifer Garner began dating Ben Affleck, after having been friends on the sets of Pearl Harbor (2001) and Daredevil (2003).

June 29, 2005: Married Ben Affleck

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

2006: Spoke at Rally for Jerry McNerney

In 2006, Jennifer Garner spoke at a rally in support of Democratic congressional candidate Jerry McNerney in Pleasanton, California.

2007: Appeared in 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: Hosted Fundraisers for Barack Obama

In 2008, Jennifer Garner hosted two fund-raisers 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: Steven Burky Arrested for Stalking

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

2009: Became Save the Children USA Ambassador

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

March 2010: Burky Adjudicated 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: Sought Projects with Gary Winick Until His Death

After directing the film "13 Going on 30", Jennifer Garner and Gary Winick continued to look for other projects to do together until his death in 2011.

2011: Partnered with Frigidaire for Save the Children

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

August 2013: Testified 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 Bill Protecting Children from Paparazzi Passed

In September 2013, the bill that would protect celebrities' children from harassment by photographers, which Jennifer Garner supported, passed and is now California law.

2013: Took Daughter to Save the Children Gala

In 2013, Jennifer Garner took her eldest daughter Violet to a Save the Children gala in New York, wanting her daughter to see the commitment to making the world a better place.

2014: Donated to Wendy Davis's Campaign

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

2014: Joined the Invest in Us Campaign

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

2014: Argued for UK-style System for Child Photos and Supported 'No Kids' Policy

In 2014, Jennifer Garner's then-husband Affleck argued in favor of a United Kingdom-style system for blurring the faces of minor children in published photographs. Also in 2014, Garner spoke in support of the "No Kids" policy.

2014: Served 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: Announced Intention to Divorce Ben Affleck

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

2015: Family Attends Methodist Church

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

2015: Appeared in A Path Appears

In 2015, Jennifer Garner appeared in A Path Appears, a PBS documentary that focuses on rural poverty among children in West Virginia.

2016: Hosted Fundraiser and Attended Events for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, 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: Jointly Filed Legal Documents for Divorce

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

October 2018: Divorce from Ben Affleck Finalized

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

2018: Co-founded Once Upon a Farm

In 2018, Jennifer Garner co-founded the organic, fresh baby food company Once Upon a Farm and is also the company's chief brand officer.

2019: Reflected on Paparazzi Presence

In 2019, Jennifer Garner reflected on the intense paparazzi presence she and her children faced for a decade, noting that while the situation had improved since legislation passed, photographers still regularly waited outside her children's school.