Jennifer Garner captured our attention nearly twenty years ago with her athleticism, acting chops, and girl-next-door attitude. A well-liked celebrity, Jennifer Garner earned herself a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame just last year. Now we’d like to recognize the career of this effervescent star with our newest Hollywood Spotlight.
Starting Small
Like many other Hollywood celebrities who go on to become famous stars, Jennifer Garner’s career started with small roles. From an understudy in stage productions to television series one-offs, she was eager for experience. And one of those parts paid off quite well. In 1998, she joined the cast of Felicity for two episodes. While filming, she became friends with J.J. Abrams. Just three years later, he wrote a role with Jennifer Garner specifically in mind!
A Powerful Female Action Star
J.J. Abrams knew Jennifer Garner would make the perfect Sydney Bristow in Alias (2001-2006). Indeed, he was right! The actress got into fighting shape to take on the grueling role of a CIA agent infiltrating an international crime syndicate. Audiences and critics loved the show. In fact, many media outlets list Alias among the top television shows of the last twenty years.
Alias also proved to be an award winner. The show was nominated for Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) Award nearly each year of its run. And the star fared well also. In 2002, Jennifer Garner won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series. Then she earned a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actress in a Drama Series in 2004!
Onto the Movie Screen
During her tenure on Alias, this famous celebrity took on a few movie roles. One was decidedly different than Alias’ physicality and drama. 13 Going on 30 (2004) was Jennifer Garner’s first starring movie role. Playing the adult version of a girl who desperately wishes she was grown up, her charming performance captivated audiences. The nostalgic movie did well in theaters, and while critics were not thrilled with the flick overall, one thing was certain: Jennifer Garner had star potential!
Following the conclusion of Alias, Jennifer Garner took on a variety of movie roles, many of which were in the romantic comedy genre. However, in 2013 she joined a film that was quite the departure from her norm. Dallas Buyers Club was a biographical drama about an AIDS patient who smuggled pharmaceutical drugs into Texas to treat his illness. Cast as lead Matthew McConaughey’s doctor in the film, the celebrity gave an impressive performance. Some critics even suggested it was the best performance of her career.
Other Work
Some of the other movies and television shows on this famous star’s resume include: Daredevil (2003), Elektra (2005), Juno (2007), Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009), Valentine’s Day (2010), Arthur (2011), Butter (2011), Mother’s Day (2016), Nine Lives (2016), Miracles from Heaven (2016), Peppermint (2018), and Camping (TV 2018).
Beyond Hollywood
Much of Jennifer Garner’s focus aside from her Hollywood career involves children. First and foremost, she is a mother to her three children with Ben Affleck. And she has taken active steps to protect her two daughters and son from the prying eyes and flashing cameras of paparazzi. In fact, in 2013, she testified before the California State Assembly to advocate for a law that protects children of celebrities. And indeed, the law did pass just one month later!
But her care for children doesn’t stop with her own. She has a keen interest in youth education. She serves as a board member for Save the Children and is actively involved in their Early Steps to to School Success program. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, she lent her talents to the Children’s Defense Fund. Also, in 2015, she developed We Made It!, a craft and activity brand designed especially for children.
Family Struggles
As an unfortunate part of a successful Hollywood career, everyone sees your family struggles. Indeed, no one knows this better than Jennifer Garner. In 2015, the day after their 10th anniversary, the celebrity and Ben Affleck announced their divorce. News promptly followed with tales of addiction and alleged infidelity. However, the ever-graceful star handled these stories in stride. As always, she put her children first and supported Ben Affleck through some difficult times. In fact, recently, her ex-husband commended Jennifer Garner and attributed the success they have achieved in co-parenting directly to her.
What’s Next?
Wonder Park, the celebrity’s newest movie, premiered in theaters a few weeks ago on March 14, 2019. The animated film tells the story of a young girl who imagines a brilliant amusement park. In addition to Jennifer Garner, some other Hollywood celebrities are lending their voices to the flick, including Mila Kunis, Matthew Broderick, Kenan Thompson, and Ken Jeong. It may not be a critical darling but families are loving the charming movie and are particularly pleased with the moral of the story.
Now we aren’t sure what else this talented movie star has planned for the rest of 2019 but we are confident she will do it with a smile!