Jennifer Garner, who has catapulted into stardom with her lead role on the series "Alias" (2001), has come a long way from her birthplace of Houston, Texas. Raised in Charleston, West Virginia, by her mother Pat, a retired English teacher, and her father, Bill, a former chemical engineer, Jennifer was the middle sibling of three girls. She spent nine years of her adolescence studying ballet and describes her years in dance as ones characterized by determination, rather than talent, being driven mostly by a love of the stage. article continued below.....

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 show "Felicity" (1998) where she met her future husband, Scott Foley. She has appeared in numerous other television production as well as such films as Pearl Harbor (2001) and Dude, Where's My Car? (2000). Jennifer and her husband live in the San Fernando Valley with two dogs and a cat. Aside from filming _Alias (2001)_ , Jennifer enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking, and inspired by her character on the show, kickboxing.

• Met husband Scott Foley on the set of "Felicity" (1998).
• Graduated from George Washington High School in Charleston, WV.
• Was going to go to Yale to study drama, but got an acting job in NYC instead.
• Earned a theater degree from Ohio's Denison University.
• Graduated from Denison University, Granville, OH, 1994.
• Named one of People Magazine's 'Breakthrough Stars of 2001'.
• Used to be a hostess at Isabella's restuarant in L. A. when she was trying to launch her acting career.
• Named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People [People Magazine - May 2002] Named the #1 sexiest woman of 2001 by MAXIM men's magazine.
• Is a trained ballerina who initially left dance for theater acting.
• Played saxophone in high school
• Early in the filming of "Daredevil" while doing a stunt, Jennifer became tangled in the wires that were helping her do a flip and she nearly crashed into a wall that she was supposed to flip off. Ben Affleck, in his Daredevil costume, rushed up to her, grabbed her, and pulled her away from the wall before the accident could finish. Jennifer later commented "It was like he was Superman."