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 most - www.imdb.com

Actress. Born Jennifer Anne Garner on April 17, 1972 in Houston, Texas. The daughter of a chemical engineer and a retired English professor, Garner was raised in Charleston, West Virginia, with her two sisters. She attended Denison University in Ohio, where she graduated with a degree in theater in 1996. After performing on stage in New York City, she moved to Los Angeles to work in television, landing bit parts on several shows, including Spin City and Law and Order.In 2000, Garner earned notice for her re - www.biography.com

After graduating college with a performance degree, Garner moves to New York City to pursue acting. "I wasn't naturally talented, just really, really driven," she says to PEOPLE. "My parents never said anything except 'Go for it.'" - www.people.com