| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $80 million |
| Annual Salary | Approximately $10 million |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Denison University |
| Major Career Break | Role of Sydney Bristow in the TV series “Alias” (2001-2006) |
| Notable Films | “13 Going on 30,” “Juno,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “The Adam Project” |
| Endorsements | Neutrogena, Capital One |
| Business Ventures | Co-founder of the baby food company “Once Upon A Farm” |
| Early Life | Was married to Ben Affleck (2005-2018); had three children |
| Personal Life | Was married to Ben Affleck (2005-2018); three children |
Jennifer Garner’s Net Worth and Salary
Jennifer Garner is an American actress and film producer with a net worth of $80 million. She started her career with smaller roles in movies like “Pearl Harbor” and “Catch Me If You Can,” but became widely known after starring in the TV series “Alias” in 2001. Her five-season run on “Alias” opened doors to more prominent film roles. Today, Garner is best recognized for her roles in popular films such as “13 Going on 30,” “Juno,” “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” “Valentine’s Day,” “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Daredevil,” and “The Adam Project,” among others.
In addition to her acting career, Jennifer Garner is also a well-paid spokesperson for major brands like Capital One and Neutrogena. Beyond acting, she co-founded the baby food company “Once Upon A Farm,” which we explore further in the article.
Early Life
Jennifer Garner was born as Jennifer Anne Garner on April 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas. Her father, William, worked as a chemical engineer, while her mother, who initially was a homemaker, later became a college English teacher. When Jennifer was three years old, the family, including her two sisters, relocated to Charleston, West Virginia. Raised in a conservative household, Jennifer and her siblings attended a local Methodist Church every Sunday and participated in Vacation Bible School during the summers. As teenagers, they weren’t allowed to wear makeup, paint their nails, pierce their ears, or dye their hair.
After finishing high school at George Washington High School in 1990, Garner enrolled at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Initially, she pursued a major in chemistry, but after three years, she decided to switch to theater. During the fall of 1993, she studied at the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut. Garner graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater and then moved to New York City to begin her acting career.
Career
After graduating, Jennifer Garner took on small roles in various miniseries before moving to Los Angeles in 1997. She landed her first leading role in the TV movie “Rose Hill” and made her film debut in the period drama “Washington Square.” Although she was cast in Woody Allen’s film “Deconstructing Harry,” most of her scenes were cut from the final version. In 1998, Garner secured a significant role in J.J. Abrams’ popular college drama “Felicity.” She also played minor roles in well-known films like “Dude, Where’s My Car?” in 2000 and the war epic “Pearl Harbor” in 2001.
The early 2000s marked a major turning point in Garner’s career when she began starring as Sydney Bristow in the ABC series “Alias” in 2001. The show’s creator, J.J. Abrams, had written the role specifically with her in mind. “Alias” ran for five seasons, and as the series progressed, Garner’s salary increased, reaching $150,000 per episode by the final season. The show was a hit with both audiences and critics, earning her numerous award nominations and wins for her performance.
While working on “Alias,” Garner continued to appear in films. After being impressed by her performance on the show, Steven Spielberg personally offered her a small role in the 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can.” Her first co-starring role came in 2003 when she appeared alongside Ben Affleck in “Daredevil.” In 2004, Garner landed her first leading role in the romantic comedy “13 Going on 30,” which was a critical and commercial success, grossing $96 million worldwide. Her portrayal of Jenna, the main character, was widely praised for its charm and authenticity.
After taking a brief break following the end of “Alias” in 2006, Garner returned to the screen in 2007 with the hit film “Juno,” written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman. Her role as Vanessa, a woman eager to adopt a child, earned her critical acclaim for its emotional depth and sincerity.
In late 2007 and early 2008, Garner returned to the stage, starring as Roxanne alongside Kevin Kline in “Cyrano de Bergerac” on Broadway, where she received glowing reviews. Shortly thereafter, she became a spokesperson for Neutrogena’s skincare line, further expanding her career beyond acting.
Jennifer Garner continued to shine in romantic comedies, including the 2009 film “The Invention of Lying,” where she starred alongside Ricky Gervais, who made his directorial debut with the movie. Her impeccable comedic timing earned her praise once again.
In 2012, Garner took on the role of a mother for the first time in the drama “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” starring opposite Joel Edgerton. The film achieved moderate box office success and received mixed reviews. In 2013, she worked with Matthew McConaughey in the drama “Dallas Buyers Club,” where she played a doctor caring for AIDS patients in Texas during the 1980s. Her performance was widely appreciated for its sensitivity and emotional depth.
Throughout the 2010s, Garner continued to showcase her acting skills, taking on significant roles in both film and television. She is often praised for her ability to resonate with audiences on both emotional and humorous levels. In August 2018, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 2019, it was announced that Garner would produce and star in the Netflix comedy “Yes Day,” directed by Miguel Arteta. She then appeared in the 2022 film “The Adam Project” and later became a series regular in the revival of Starz’s “Party Down.” Garner also took on the role of executive producer and starred as Hannah Hall in the Apple TV+ series “The Last Thing He Told Me.”
“Alias” Salary
Jennifer Garner earned $45,000 per episode during the early seasons of “Alias,” which totaled about $1 million for a full 22-episode season. By the final seasons, her salary increased to $150,000 per episode, amounting to approximately $3.3 million per season.
Other Salaries
Jennifer Garner earned $3 million for her role in the 2004 film “13 Going on 30.” In 2007, she was paid $7 million for her role in “The Kingdom.” That same year, for her work in “Juno,” she accepted a lower upfront salary in exchange for a percentage of the movie’s backend gross.
Capital One Earnings
Jennifer Garner’s compensation for appearing in Capital One commercials isn’t based on a per-commercial salary. Instead, she likely has a long-term contract with the company. Based on similar endorsement deals with other high-profile actors, it’s estimated that Garner’s contract is worth $15-20 million over five years. This would average out to about $3-4 million per year, although the payment is likely made upfront.
Once Upon A Farm
Jennifer Garner is the co-founder of the organic baby food company Once Upon A Farm, which was established in 2017. In addition to being a co-founder, she also serves as the Chief Brand Officer. Their products are available in over 10,000 stores across the United States.
Activism
Jennifer Garner is a passionate advocate for early childhood education. She serves as an ambassador and sits on the board of trustees for Save the Children, an organization that promotes national literacy and early education initiatives. Garner often visits families participating in the Early Steps to School Success program, which provides support for early childhood education.
Though she has mentioned not being overly political, Garner has made donations to various Democratic politicians, including Wendy Davis. In 2008, she hosted two fundraisers for Barack Obama and later hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Garner is also a strong supporter of laws that protect the privacy of celebrities’ children from paparazzi. In August 2013, she testified alongside Halle Berry in favor of a bill aimed at preventing the harassment of children by photographers. The bill passed and is now a law in California.
Personal Life
Jennifer Garner was married to actor Scott Foley from 2000 to 2004. They met while working on the set of “Felicity” in 1998. Garner later married actor, producer, and director Ben Affleck, whom she met on the set of “Pearl Harbor.” Their marriage lasted from 2005 to 2015. Garner and Affleck, who have three children together, announced their separation on June 30, 2015, and finalized their divorce in October 2018. Reports indicate that there was no prenuptial agreement.
Following her divorce from Affleck, Garner dated businessman John C. Miller from 2018 until early 2020. They rekindled their relationship in April 2021.Jennifer Garner was married to actor Scott Foley from 2000 to 2004. They met while working on the set of “Felicity” in 1998. Garner later married actor, producer, and director Ben Affleck, whom she met on the set of “Pearl Harbor.” Their marriage lasted from 2005 to 2015. Garner and Affleck, who have three children together, announced their separation on June 30, 2015, and finalized their divorce in October 2018. Reports indicate that there was no prenuptial agreement.
Following her divorce from Affleck, Garner dated businessman John C. Miller from 2018 until early 2020. They rekindled their relationship in April 2021.
Accolades
In 2002, Jennifer Garner won a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama for her role in “Alias.” She also received a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2005 for the same role. Garner has earned several other awards and has been nominated for more than 50 awards, including three additional Golden Globes and four Primetime Emmy Awards.
Real Estate
In 2009, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck purchased a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles for $17.55 million. The seller was renowned producer Brian Grazer. The property, designed by Cliff May, a pioneer of the “California ranch-style” house, includes five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, high ceilings, large picture windows, a guesthouse, a swimming pool, a gym, a half basketball court, an office/studio, and stunning views. The house also has a notable history, having been previously owned by actor Gregory Peck.
Jennifer continued to live in this house until late 2018. After she and the kids moved out, Ben and Jennifer sold the mansion to Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine for $32 million in December 2018.
In early 2019, Jennifer purchased a new home in the Brentwood Park neighborhood of Los Angeles for $8 million. In September 2024, she showcased her new home in a tour for Architectural Digest.
