Jennifer Garner Recalls Biting Co Star’s Ear On Set

Jennifer Garner, known for her poise on screen and her ability to throw herself into physically demanding roles, recently shared a story that left fans and colleagues both shocked and amused. During an Apple TV press day on February 4, 2026, the 53-year-old actress recounted a particularly intense—and unexpectedly violent—moment from her past. The event in question? A fight scene gone awry on the set of the 2007 action thriller The Kingdom, which resulted in Garner biting off a chunk of her co-star’s ear.

According to The Hollywood Reporter and Fox News, the incident unfolded nearly two decades ago, but it’s as vivid in Garner’s mind as ever. She explained, “Pete Berg, who was the director, told him to try to kill me. We did not have a lot of choreography, and he told me to do anything I could to survive.” The “him” in question was actor and stunt performer Sala Baker, who played a kidnapper opposite Garner’s FBI agent Janet Mayes. The lack of scripted choreography left both actors improvising for survival—and the result was both memorable and a bit gruesome.

“He did, and I did, and I ended up scrambling onto his back. I bit his ear, and we have a picture of him missing a chunk of ear, because we were not kidding,” Garner recounted, drawing laughter and gasps from the assembled press. When asked to clarify whether she had actually bitten off part of Baker’s ear, Garner replied, “Like Mike Tyson,” referencing the infamous moment in 1997 when boxer Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a heavyweight bout. She then joked, “Don’t make me mad. I seem nice. I’ve warned you before.”

For those unfamiliar, The Kingdom is a political action thriller that follows an elite FBI team as they investigate a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. Garner’s character, Janet Mayes, finds herself in the thick of the action alongside Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, and Jason Bateman. But few scenes proved as memorable—or as painful—as the one she shared with Baker.

Fast-forward to early 2026, and fate brought Garner and Baker together again, this time on the set of the Apple TV series The Last Thing He Told Me. The show, based on Laura Dave’s bestselling novel, is a mystery-thriller that first premiered in 2023. Garner stars as Hannah Hall, a woman whose life is upended when her husband, Owen Michaels (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), suddenly disappears, leaving behind only a cryptic note. The series quickly became a hit, with audiences drawn to its suspenseful plot and Garner’s compelling performance.

During the Apple TV panel, Garner described how the pair’s reunion reignited their on-screen rivalry—in the most physical sense. “We went for it in a way that the crew—this was maybe our first or second day of shooting—were like, ‘Can you be careful with her?’ I was like, ‘No, no, no, no, he’s not going to be careful. I’m not going to be careful. Just back out of the way. I have a score to settle here,’” she said, her trademark sense of humor on full display. Baker, for his part, was up for the challenge, and the two actors dove headfirst into their fight scenes throughout the season.

The story of their first, infamous encounter wasn’t lost on Garner’s co-stars, either. During the panel, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau stopped the conversation to process what he’d just heard. “Can we just go over that again? You bit a piece of his ear off?” he asked, incredulous. “Like Mike Tyson,” Garner quipped again, prompting laughter from the audience. Coster-Waldau, still in disbelief, turned to the crowd and joked, “Why are you all looking as if this is a great thing? What is wrong with you people?”

Despite the lighthearted tone, the anecdote underscored the intensity and authenticity that Garner brings to her roles. She’s no stranger to action, having made her name with physically demanding performances in Alias and a host of action films. But even by her standards, biting off a co-star’s ear—accidentally or not—is a story for the ages.

Garner’s willingness to go all-in for a scene has become something of a trademark. “Don’t make me mad. I seem nice. I’ve warned you before,” she told Coster-Waldau with a smile. “Oh my god, no, I love you.” Her playful warning was met with laughter, but it’s clear her commitment to authenticity is no joke.

As executive producer of The Last Thing He Told Me, Garner has been deeply involved in shaping the show’s direction. She teased the upcoming season, promising more of the high-stakes drama and emotional complexity that fans have come to expect. “Have you guys heard of this term competency porn?” she asked the panel. “Like, just we’re so hungry for grown-ups to be competent and smart and have integrity and do what they’re supposed to do … that we really fall for shows like [HBO medical drama] ‘The Pitt,’ where Noah Wyle is just so in charge, and all those nurses are incredible.

“In this case, Hannah does that for me,” she continued. “She has prepared everything for every eventuality, all to keep Bailey safe. And, so, watching as the penny drops and Hannah really realizes the kind of danger they’re in, watching those actions fall into place and watching her take one step after the other and include Bailey in this grand escape is, to me, really, really gratifying.”

The second season of The Last Thing He Told Me brings back familiar faces, including Coster-Waldau and Angourie Rice as Bailey, while introducing new cast members Rita Wilson and Judy Greer. The ensemble, along with author and executive producer Laura Dave, joined Garner at the Apple TV Press Day, where the camaraderie was palpable—and the anticipation for the new season was high.

For Garner and Baker, their reunion was a chance to revisit old wounds—literally and figuratively. But if there’s any lingering animosity, it’s well hidden behind the professionalism and good humor both actors bring to their work. As for that missing piece of ear? It’s a badge of honor in a career filled with unforgettable moments.

Garner’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments in film and television happen when things don’t go exactly as planned. And for fans of The Last Thing He Told Me, it’s clear that the intensity—and unpredictability—of her performances isn’t going anywhere.