Top 10 Times Jennifer Garner Was Awesome

She may have shown us her deadly moves in Daredevil, but it’s safe to say we can forget Elektra now. Garner has shown us that her real superpower is napping on cue. And somehow the real-life version is way more charming. As an actress, producer and entrepreneur, Jennifer Garner is one talented and busy woman. But ever the self-care champion, she prioritizes down time, even scheduling her stealth-sleeps in! Posting her calendar reminder as well as angelic pictures of taking naps on the fly, she proves that there’s never and always a perfect time to sneak some shut-eye. And speaking of shut-eye, can we talk about the time she read this expletive-laden “bedtime story” for Vanity Fair? Hilarious!

Wellness and nutrition are staples of Garner’s lifestyle. Not only did she do ballet for ten years, she’s known for working with notorious LA trainer Simone De La Rue. With her emphasis on the importance of early childhood and a healthy start, Garner co-founded Once Upon a Farm. This cold-press food company aims to give babies and kids better access to organic, nutritious food. Quote, “Our mission is to nurture our children, each other and the earth in order to pass along a happier and healthier world for the next generation.” We think her work to make the world a better place is just darn good. And using fresh ingredients like that, we’re sure it’s also quite delicious.

Garner showed us that not only can she steal a moment with a wistful glance, but she can also own it with a meme of her own. At the 2018 Oscars, social media went wild after witnessing a seemingly perturbed Garner pause for reflection mid-ceremony. The footage, broadcast to millions of viewers, inspired hilarious memes, such as “Jennifer Garner just realized she forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer”, and: “She just got the theory of relativity. The sky’s the limit, Jenny!” While she told Ellen she wasn’t quite sure what was behind the much-talked about moment, she did venture a few guesses with her fans, including: “Congrats to Shape of Water! Maybe I should date a fish?” Gotta love a lady who can laugh at herself.

In 2019, Garner was put on the cover of People Magazine’s Beautiful issue. While she seemed more surprised than the rest of us, Garner made it about the kind of values for which she is so fondly known. “I feel like I'm happier and feel prettier when I look less in the mirror. And the more I am thinking about my impact outside,” she told People. Perhaps Garner’s cover reflects the Zeitgeist shift as we evaluate the impact superficiality has on our moral contribution. Despite her newly bestowed beauty crown, Garner still seems to be most at home as her natural, goofy self - seen here playing saxophone à la “band-geek-chic” for her gal pal Reese Witherspoon’s birthday.

Jenna Rink longs to grow up so she can be accepted, that is until one day, after a humiliating incident, her wish comes true. But she soon finds out that being ‘cool’ isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Garner’s iconic performance in this hilarious rom-com had us joy-filled from 13 to 30. And she seems to fangirl just as much as we do. Garner regularly shares fun tidbits, like this play-by-play of the unforgettable Thriller sequence, and this tribute, saying, “I feel so, so lucky to have had the experience of making this joyful movie.” All of which leaves us needing to schedule a re-watch. Did we mention that when she took a Buzzfeed quiz to see which of her characters she’s most like, she got Jenna Rink?

In 2013, Garner, her then-husband Affleck and actress Halle Berry campaigned for laws to protect children of public figures from harassment by the paparazzi in California. Garner’s deeply personal and disturbing testimony of her own personal experiences was instrumental in lobbying for Senate Bill 606. This increased penalties for those harassing minors because of what their parents did for work - meaning no more strangers getting up in the grills of kids. As Garner put it, the new law has “changed [her] kids’ lives.” Now that’s a show of strength and vulnerability to make the world a better and less creepier, place.

Garner’s marriage to Ben Affleck was always the subject of intense media scrutiny. Meeting on the set of Pearl Harbor in 2000, the two married in 2005. After announcing their separation ten years later, rumors began to swirl, alleging an affair between Affleck and the family nanny. Despite the pain Garner herself faced, she has remained publicly respectful of her ex and co-parent of three children, saying, “If you see your kids love someone so purely and wholly, you’re going to be friends with that person… No one needs to hate him for me.” Garner was subsequently one of his biggest supports during an alcohol relapse of 2017. Affleck has called their divorce “the biggest regret of his life”, and with Garner’s impeccable poise, we can’t blame him.

Garner makes no secret of the fact that being a Mom is her favorite thing. She holds herself accountable for every experience she shares. Whether it’s getting lost in a kayak in Sweden or getting adorable notes of complaint from her kids, she’s always down-to-earth about mistakes being a natural part of parenthood. Garner tells us that gratitude and mindfulness are core principles in raising little humans. “While your kids can seem to be selfish and concerned only about the word ‘mine’... they are watching you really carefully. If you care about other people, they will too.” Not only does she talk the talk, she walks the walk. Check out this footage of Garner canvassing for Girl Scout cookies.

For over 10 years, Garner has been working with Save the Children, understanding the vital importance of education for low-income families. From visiting transit shelters at the U.S. border to rural communities, her work to influence the trajectory of children;s lives speaks volumes to her character. In the pandemic times of 2020, Garner created Save with Stories with fellow actress, Amy Adams. Reading their favorite kids books on Instagram and Facebook during the pandemic for families stuck at home, they are driving donations for Save the Children and No Kid Hungry. These non-profits are”committed to meeting the most urgent needs of children at this time.” Way to use your power for the greater good!

Way to turn a “cavity” into a comedy video for the ages! In 2017, Garner shared a video of herself on Instagram that had us all in stitches. The laughing gas had yet to dissipate after a dental procedure when Jennifer was filmed in a car on the phone. Slurring her words and becoming visibly emotional, she loves on the blockbuster musical, Hamilton, in a hysterical yet let's be real, relatable way. Most of us feel that way when we're not on laughing gas. Thank you, Jennifer, for continually being willing to share your hilarious everyday adventures.