Jennifer Garner Reflects on Humble Beginnings in Film

Jennifer Garner got emotional as she recounted her humble career beginnings earning $150 a week as an understudy on Broadway whilst living on a woman’s kitchen floor, to still landing roles in her 50s.

While now an award-winning actress, the A-lister, 53, was nearly brought to tears as she recalled the 'magical' moment that she first saw herself on the silver screen and said she 'cannot believe' that she was still working 30 years later.

And she heaped heaped praise on her BFF and fellow film star, , as she explained how the Academy Award winner had been there for her through difficult times, supported her career, and given her valuable parenting advice.

After moving to at the age of 23, Jennifer broke into Broadway, landing a job as an understudy in production of A Month in the Country, starring the likes of acting icons,  and F. Murray Abraham.

And she said that despite only earning $150 dollars a week, she couldn't believe that she'd gotten the part, admitting that she still is stunned by her success even now as she said: 'The surprise has always been bigger than my actual dream'.

Speaking on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show podcast, Jennifer said: 'It was such a surprise to me that I was understudying a play on Broadway. I thought like this was a success, and if that was as far as it went I would have been like, "I got to do this."

 'I got to watch Helen Mirren every night. And then from that, the fact that I was suddenly on set, it was like, "I can't believe I'm here."

'And so I've felt that way the whole time. The surprise has always been bigger than my actual dreams, in a way…'

She explained how she and her friend had reminisced recently about going to see Jennifer's first appearance on the silver screen, admitting 'it makes me want to cry thinking about it'.

Her first feature film role was in 1997 period drama Washington Square, opposite 'giants of film and theatre', including Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Ivey, Albert Finney and Maggie Smith.

Jennifer reflected: 'It was this beautiful Henry James novel and I had this very small role. I really didn't know what I was doing, but I went to the first ADR and I'd never done it before. They taught me how to do it.

'Claudia, my friend, was visiting me from London, and she was living on a boat on the Thames with her boyfriend at the time while I was living on the kitchen floor and we went to watch this. 

'And there I am on an actual screen with Albert Finney and Maggie Smith, and we left that little ADR session and we went screaming, running down Broadway, jumping up and down.'

Getting emotional over the 'magical' memory, she went on: 'It makes me want to cry thinking about it. We were like, "oh my gosh, what happened? How am I in that? How is this happening?" And we celebrated it in the most full-throated, full body way. And we were talking about it last night, how magical that exact moment was together.'

In 2024, paid homage to her Washington Square co-star Maggie, following the legendary actress' death aged 89, calling her 'the best introduction to the film industry'.

She shared a heartfelt tribute to her Instagram, where she penned: 'Maggie Smith and I worked together almost thirty years ago in my first ever movie, Washington Square.

'Maggie was the best introduction to the film industry, can you imagine? She was generous and kind, and so funny!' 

'I took Maggie to HER first ever baseball game, where we had a beer and cheered for the home team. The pictures from that day have been lost for years, but I cherish the memory. RIP, Dame Maggie.' 

In the noughties, Jennifer's then took off with roles in the likes of Pearl Harbour and Catch Me If You Can, as well as her Golden Globe-winning turn as Sydney Bristow in TV series, Alias.

However, she insisted that she still never took anything for granted and never anticipated her success - even with her first leading film, the beloved 2004 romcom, 13 Going On 30.

Reflecting on making the movie, she admitted being 'scared' to re-watch it because of how 'incredibly important' it was for to her to make.

'When we were doing 13 Going On 30 it was like such a lark,' she recalled. 'We didn't know if it'd be good or not. But we're all still so close. It's wild. 

'If it was seminal for you to watch, it was incredibly important for me to make. Gosh, being out on the street with Judy running around in heels in a nightie… 

'I haven't seen the movie in a long time. I'm scared to watch it again. I remember dancing around on the bed with those young girls. I really remember the playful energy, the joyful energy of making that movie.'