Jennifer Garner remembers her humble beginnings with emotion as she discusses her early days of showbiz on Josh Smith’s podcast. The actress recounted her first Broadway understudy role, earning $150 a week to support herself and a friend during the pandemic-era financial strain in London.
“I thought this was success,” Garner said, recalling how surprising it was when someone offered to pay her to be an understudy at a major theater like Broadway. She met stars such as Helen Mirren and F. Murray Abraham during that time, which still feels magical even now.
“It’s been such a surprise every step of the way,” Garner continued. “The most delightful surprises have always come in waves larger than my actual dreams.”
One highlight from her early career was starring alongside luminaries like Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Ivey, Albert Finney and Maggie Smith in 1997’s Washington Square. The film adaptation of a Henry James novel featured a small role for Garner that she approached with naivety.
“At the time,” she reminisced, “I wasn’t sure what to expect but found myself on set alongside these esteemed actors who would later become Hollywood legends.”
The memorable shoot took place in her friend Claudia’s London apartment where they lived aboard a boat while Garner stayed above. There, they watched and waited for their scene as the first sound recording session commenced. They returned with elated shouts of “Oh my gosh,” exclaiming disbelief at finding themselves on screen together.
“That moment is something I still can’t believe to this day,” she exclaimed. “Claudia and I celebrated like there was no tomorrow, even last night. It’s hard not to be emotional thinking back on it.” Her eyes well up with gratitude as she recalls that pivotal experience, which set her career journey on a path towards stardom.