Jennifer Garner, who catapulted into stardom with her lead role on the television series Alias (2001), has come a long way from her birthplace of Houston, Texas. Raised in Charleston, West Virginia by her mother, Patricia Ann (née English), a retired teacher of English, and her father, William John Garner, a former chemical engineer, Jennifer is the middle sibling of three girls. She spent nine years of her adolescence studying ballet, and characterizes her years in dance as consisting of determination rather than talent, being driven mostly by a love of the stage.

Jennifer took this determination with her when she enrolled at Denison University as a chemistry major, a decision that was later changed to a drama major when she found that her passions for the stage were stronger than her love of science. New York attracted the young actress after college where she worked as a hostess while pursuing a career in film and television. Her most recent move has been to Los Angeles, a decision that led to a role on the television series Felicity (1998), where she met her future husband Scott Foley. The couple divorced in 2004.

Trivia

Met her first husband Scott Foley on the set of Felicity (1998).
Attended and graduated from George Washington High School in Charleston, West Virginia.
Received her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts for Theatre from Denison University in Granville, Ohio. [1994]
She was going to attend Yale University to study drama but got an acting job in New York City instead.
Named one of People magazine's "Breakthrough Stars of 2001".
Used to be a hostess at Isabella's restaurant in New York when she was trying to launch her acting career.
Named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [2002]
Ranked #1 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100 Women of 2002 list.
Is a trained ballerina who initially left dance for theater acting.

[on Alias (2001) co-star Carl Lumbly] We looked him up on IMDb, and we just cracked up - his resumé goes on and on. He was even on Cagney & Lacey (1981).
[on being recognized] I never get recognized! I'll be with my husband [actor Scott Foley from Felicity (1998)] and people will think I'm his manager, and they will start giving me their business cards.
[on winning a Golden Globe Award] My husband was as flabbergasted as I was. I think he almost flew out of his skin, he was so surprised and excited. He is just the most supportive and proud friend. My family is just beyond out-of-control excited.
Two of my mom's most oft-repeated mom-isms are: "Happiness is your own responsibility" and "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning." Both are true.
[Playboy magazine, April 2002] There's something so interesting about the combination of vulnerability and being completely in control at the same time. Women should run everything - it's about time.
I think that baseball games are like soap operas. If you watch five in a row, you know enough to get hooked.
The rule with marriage is the less you talk about it the better, as far as I can tell.
I have this internal battle between, I need to work, I need to work, I need to work and I need to be home with my kids. And the kids win.
[on the prospects of working with husband Ben Affleck again] I think he's brilliant at what he does, but why rock the boat? It works between us pretty well the way it is. I don't know if I want to go to work with him. I'd be like "Okay already, you got the shot. Let's go home!".