---
name: "Jennifer Garner"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jennifer-garner"
fi1m_id: "jennifer-garner"
imdb_id: "nm0004950"
tmdb_id: 9278
wikidata_id: "Q172044"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "17 April 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-20T04:06:07.667684+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Jennifer Garner

## Identity

Jennifer Garner

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jennifer-garner
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jennifer-garner
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004950
- **TMDB ID:** 9278
- **Wikidata ID:** Q172044
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Garner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172044, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004950/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9278

Actor and director. Born 17 April 1972 in Houston, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 17 April 1972, Houston, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** Jennifer Anne Garner
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 7 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Ben Affleck](https://film.one/person/ben-affleck.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 72 (1), 2000s 77 (5), 2010s 75 (1), 2020s 60 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 69 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Drama 4, Romance 2, Action 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,085m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Garner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172044, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004950/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9278

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Alias*](https://film.one/tv/alias.md) (74), [*Deadpool & Wolverine*](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md) (60)
- **Apple TV:** [*Party Down*](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) (82)
- **Netflix:** [*13 Going on 30*](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md) (67)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Jennifer Garner

> Jennifer Garner brings physical assurance to action and a welcome seriousness to comedy. We rate her most when there is room for a character, as in *Juno*; a brief return in *Deadpool & Wolverine* gives her too little.

In *Juno* (2007), Jennifer Garner’s Vanessa Loring is serious while Jason Bateman’s Mark has the easier manner. Garner does not need to match his ease to hold our attention. The difference gives both performances something to work with, and helps stop the adults feeling like a single, disapproving presence around Juno. We were moved by Garner here because she gives Vanessa’s wish for stability a weight that the surrounding clever talk cannot brush aside. The comedy needs someone who takes things this seriously.

That seriousness was already useful in *Alias* (2001–2006), the J.J. Abrams series that made her a lead as double agent Sydney Bristow. The physical work mattered, but so did making the person doing it emotionally accessible. Film leads followed while the programme was still running, with *13 Going on 30* (2004) giving her comic timing a romantic-comedy setting. The action films included *Daredevil* (2003) and the uneven *Elektra* (2005).

Her move towards supporting dramatic parts after 2006 put that emotional directness to different use. In *Juno*, director Jason Reitman gives the supporting actors weight while keeping Elliot Page at the centre. Diablo Cody’s dialogue can work too hard to impress, which makes Garner’s straightforward seriousness especially welcome. We do not need Vanessa to be the funniest person present, or the most immediately agreeable. Reitman lets her belong in the comedy without requiring her to keep up with its jokes.

The brief appearance in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024) offers little beyond recognition. There are laughs, but the stretches between them can be wearying, and Garner has too little to do to help. We would welcome another part with as much to play as Vanessa. Start with *Juno*, and try *Alias* if the physical side of her work interests you.

## Biography

Jennifer Garner is an American actress. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1972 and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, she studied theatre at Denison University before beginning her career in New York theatre and early television roles.

She rose to prominence with her lead performance as CIA officer Sydney Bristow in the series *Alias* (2001–2006), for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama. Garner has also appeared in films such as *Pearl Harbor* (2001), *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), *13 Going on 30* (2004), *Juno* (2007) and *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013).

She first played Elektra in *Daredevil* (2003) and reprised the role in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these

- *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), Fi1m 60, as Elektra — [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md)
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), Fi1m 75, as Eve — [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *Party Down* (2009), Fi1m 82, as Evie — [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md)
- *Juno* (2007), Fi1m 81, as Vanessa Loring — [page](https://film.one/film/juno.md)
- *13 Going on 30* (2004), Fi1m 67, as Jenna Rink — [page](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md)
- *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Cheryl Ann — [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md)
- *Deconstructing Harry* (1997), Fi1m 72, as Woman in Elevator — [page](https://film.one/film/deconstructing-harry.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Alias* (2001), Fi1m 74, as Sydney Bristow — [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)

## Complete filmography (75)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Five Star Weekend* (2026), series, as Hollis Shaw · Executive Producer
- *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), as Elektra — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md)
- *Can't Go Home* (2023), series, as K.D Williams
- *Family Switch* (2023), as Jess Walker · Producer
- *The Last Thing He Told Me* (2023), series, as Hannah Hall · Executive Producer
- *The Adam Project* (2022), as Ellie Reed
- *YES DAY* (2021), as Allison Torres · Producer
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Princess Buttercup / Ancient Booer
- *Upload* (2020), series, as Officer Jennifer Garner (voice)
- *Wonder Park* (2019), as June's Mom (voice)
- *Camping* (2018), series, as Kathryn
- *Peppermint* (2018), as Riley North
- *Love, Simon* (2018), as Emily
- *Llama Llama* (2018), series, as Mama Llama (voice)
- *The Tribes of Palos Verdes* (2017), as Sandy
- *Wakefield* (2017), as Diana Wakefield
- *A Happening of Monumental Proportions* (2017), as Nadine
- *Ask the Storybots* (2016), series, Actor
- *Nine Lives* (2016), as Lara Brand
- *Mother's Day* (2016), as Lt. Dana Barton
- *Miracles from Heaven* (2016), as Christy Beam
- *Danny Collins* (2015), as Samantha Leigh Donnelly
- *Men, Women & Children* (2014), as Patricia Beltmeyer
- *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day* (2014), as Kelly Cooper
- *Draft Day* (2014), as Ali Parker
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), as Eve — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *Butter* (2012), as Laura Pickler · Producer
- *The Odd Life of Timothy Green* (2012), as Cindy Green
- *Serena* (2012), as Serena
- *Arthur* (2011), as Susan Johnson
- *Valentine's Day* (2010), as Julia Fitzpatrick
- *The Invention of Lying* (2009), as Anna McDoogles
- *Ghosts of Girlfriends Past* (2009), as Jenny Perotti
- *Party Down* (2009), series, as Evie — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md)
- *Cyrano de Bergerac* (2008), as Roxane
- *Cyrano de Bergerac* (2008), as Roxanne
- *Juno* (2007), as Vanessa Loring — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/juno.md)
- *The Kingdom* (2007), as Janet Mayes
- *Catch and Release* (2006), as Gray Wheeler
- *Elektra* (2005), as Elektra
- *13 Going on 30* (2004), as Jenna Rink — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/13-going-on-30.md)
- *Daredevil* (2003), as Elektra
- *Catch Me If You Can* (2002), as Cheryl Ann — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/catch-me-if-you-can.md)
- *Icons* (2002), series, Actor
- *Alias* (2001), series, as Sydney Bristow · Director — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Rennie's Landing* (2001), as Kiley
- *Beyond the Movie: Pearl Harbor* (2001), as Sandra
- *Pearl Harbor* (2001), as Sandra
- *Dude, Where's My Car?* (2000), as Wanda
- *Aftershock: Earthquake in New York* (1999), series, as Diane Agostini
- *Time of Your Life* (1999), series, as Romy Sullivan
- *Felicity* (1998), series, as Hannah Bibb
- *Fantasy Island* (1998), series, Actor
- *Significant Others* (1998), series, as Nell
- *Mr. Magoo* (1997), as Stacey Sampanahoditra
- *Deconstructing Harry* (1997), as Woman in Elevator — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/deconstructing-harry.md)
- *Washington Square* (1997), as Marian Almond
- *1999* (1997), as Annabel
- *Danielle Steel's Zoya* (1997), as Sasha
- *Rose Hill* (1997), as Mary Rose Clayborne / Victoria Elliot at 17
- *The Pretender* (1996), series, as Billie H. Vaughn / Dupree
- *Spin City* (1996), series, as Becky
- *Dead Man's Walk* (1996), series, as Clara Forsythe
- *Harvest of Fire* (1996), as Sarah Troyer
- *Swift Justice* (1996), series, as Allison
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Jaime — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Jennifer Garner (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Mary Rose
- *Fantasy Camp*, Actor
- *Fruitcake*, Actor
- *Mrs. Claus*, as Producer
- *Jackpot*, Actor
- *Zygote*, as Parisa
- *One Attempt Remaining*, as Producer
- *13 Going on 30*, as Jenna Rink · Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-effb0ea67e58.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Jennifer_Garner_at_the_Fast_Company_Innovation_Festival_-_44972951114_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Jennifer Garner and former State Representative Joel John at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for President campaign in Phoenix, (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-0f993eaa42cd.jpg) Jennifer Garner and former State Representative Joel John at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for President campaign in Phoenix, (2024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Jennifer_Garner_%26_Joel_John_%2854106296315%29.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Garner_%26_Joel_John_%2854106296315%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-756326511cca.jpg) Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854104978857%29.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854104978857%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-05585ac4147c.jpg) Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106104683%29.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106104683%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-a54e4258db79.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-4fc68754a867.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-fad587a00ccb.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-b6abbf27a692.jpg) Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106105568%29.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106105568%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-273a3a1fb727.jpg) Jennifer Garner and former United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice speaking with attendees at a "Democracy Across the Aisle" event hosted by the Kamala Harris for  (2024) — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106188774%29.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Garner_%26_Susan_Rice_%2854106188774%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-14395e910422.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-9728fcd30a98.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB
- ![Jennifer Garner](https://film.one/media/person/11198/gallery-2731b1b4b904.jpg) Jennifer Garner — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year 2022: Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jennifer-garner