Jennifer Anne Garner (born April 17, 1972) is an actress and producer from the United States. Garner was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and studied drama at Denison University before joining the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City as an understudy. In the television adaptation of Danielle Steel's romance book Zoya, she made her screen debut (1995). She has cameo appearances on television and in films, as well as a starring role on the teen drama series Time of Your Life (1999–2000).