Jennifer Garner has turned 53 on April 17, 2025, and to celebrate the joyous occasion, she's taking a slightly different approach! The 13 Going on 30 actress marked her special day by launching a charity run to raise awareness and funds for malnourished children around the world. Taking to her Instagram handle on Friday, April 18, 2025, Garner shared the noble initiative with her 17 million followers.
“Happy birthday to me! As I enter a new year, I feel compelled to do something, to put my feet on the ground for kids,” the ex-wife of Ben Affleck wrote in caption alongside a video of her running. She went on to express, “I have been feeling helpless about the world hunger crisis— millions of children are suffering from acute malnutrition and 16,000 children are at immediate risk of dying from preventable causes.”
Garner then announced that she will run one mile a day for 67 days, starting on her birthday, to raise money for Save the Children, an organization she has been supporting for 16 years. “I have and, God willing, will continue to donate to Save the Children. This moment in time feels like a larger call to action is needed. So I am running (not my best or favorite activity, I’m a one mile a day, no matter what, for the next 67 days,” she wrote.
Jennifer Garner concluded her lengthy caption by inviting her followers to donate to Save the Children and share their own efforts on social media using the hashtag #67Strong4Kids.
Born on April 17, 1972, Garner became a household name thanks to her starring role on Alias. In the two decades since, she's played a variety of unforgettable parts in beloved projects. Even in the early days of her career, Garner had a big vision for what Alias could become. "I hope this show is included with all of the shows that have celebrated strong women [in TV history]," she told Entertainment Weekly in November 2005. “To me, what’s mattered about this character is how much she’s struggled to hold on to her humanity in the middle of this weird world that she lives in and how incredibly hard she works at doing the right thing when that isn’t always cut-and-dried.”
After welcoming her three children with ex-husband Ben Affleck, Garner took a step back from the spotlight in order to focus on her family, but has no intention of giving up acting any time soon. “It’s a very hungry, greedy career and a very unforgiving one," she told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2021. "And for someone who has chosen family way more often than I probably should have, I can’t believe I’m still here.”
In honor of her birthday today, we've rounded up some of the most memorable film and television roles in Garner’s long career to date—from Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30 to Evie Adler in Party Down. This is arguably the part that made Garner a superstar, and for good reason; her role as Sydney Bristow, a young woman who agrees to become an international spy for the CIA, earned her four Emmy nominations.
In 13 Going on 30 (2004), Garner vests what could be a frothy role with genuine heart that makes it both a certified tearjerker and a perennial mood-lifter. In Juno (2007), she portrays Vanessa Loring, a character longing for a family of her own, navigating the complexities of motherhood and relationships. Garner's chemistry with Matthew McConaughey in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009) showcases her charm, while her role as Julia in Valentine’s Day (2010) proves she can shine even among a star-studded cast.
Garner's performance as Dr. Eve Saks in Dallas Buyers Club (2013) is particularly notable, with the actress recalling how McConaughey encouraged her not to drop out after a tough day on set. In Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014), Garner plays a relatable mom, and in Love, Simon (2018), she embodies the supportive mother of a closeted teenager.
Her role in Camping (2018) as an uptight wife and “minor Instagram celebrity” adds to her diverse repertoire, while her recent addition to the cast of Party Down delighted fans. “When we were talking about the role, we would mention Jennifer Garner as the type of person we wanted to cast,” Adam Scott told Yahoo, adding: “We kept saying: ‘We want someone like Jennifer Garner,’ never thinking we would actually get Jennifer Garner.”
As Garner continues her charitable efforts and celebrates her birthday, she reflects on her career and the journey that has brought her to this moment. Her ability to blend heartfelt performances with genuine advocacy for important causes marks her not just as a beloved actress, but as an inspiring figure in Hollywood.
In a world where celebrity often overshadows substance, Jennifer Garner stands out as a beacon of hope and action, reminding us all of the power of compassion and the importance of giving back. As she embarks on her 67-day challenge, fans and followers are eager to support her mission and join in the fight against child malnutrition.
