Jennie Garth
Garth at the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards
Born	Jennifer Eve Garth (1972-04-03) April 3, 1972 (age 40) Urbana, Illinois, USA
Occupation	Actress, director
Years active	1989–present
Spouse	Daniel Clark (1994–96) (divorced) Peter Facinelli (2001-12) (filed for divorce) 3 children
Website
http://www.jenniegarth.com/

Jennifer Eve "Jennie" Garth (born April 3, 1972) is an American actress and director, best known for starring in the prominent role of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. She currently stars in her own reality show, Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country on CMT.

Early life[link]

Jennie Garth was born in Urbana, Illinois to John^[1] and Carolyn Garth, each of whom already had three older children from previous marriages: Johnny, Chuck, Lisa, Cammie, Wendy and Lynn. Garth spent much of her youth on a 25-acre (100,000 m²) horse ranch in Arcola, Illinois. Her family eventually moved to Tuscola, Illinois, and then, when Garth was 13 years old, to Glendale, Arizona. There, she began taking dancing lessons and modeling, which led to her participation in a talent competition, where she was discovered by Hollywood talent scout and manager, Randy James. She attended Greenway High School as a freshman and later transferred to Apollo High School in her sophomore year. Determined to become an actress, she left school during her junior year to work with James in Los Angeles (she would later obtain her high school diploma in California^{[citation needed]}). She began taking acting classes and going to auditions almost daily, and soon landed a role as "Erica McCray" in the NBC TV series A Brand New Life (1989–90).

Career[link]

Garth landed her first role in the television series Growing Pains. She also appeared in six episodes on A Brand New Life as Erica McCray.

In 1990, she landed the role of Kelly Taylor on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210. Throughout the series, Garth's character faced several trials and tribulations, along with difficult issues regarding family and her romantic life. Garth displayed an exceptional understanding of the character's struggles and triumphs, portraying Kelly in a relatable way which made her one of the most developed and popular characters on the show.^[2] Garth appeared on the series for the full 10 seasons until its end in 2000, along with Ian Ziering, Tori Spelling, and Brian Austin Green. She won a Young Artist Award and was nominated for the Teen Choice Awards, both for her role on Beverly Hills, 90210. She was also instrumental in launching the spin-offs Melrose Place and 90210, with the character of Kelly becoming a continuity icon by appearing in the most franchise episodes.^[3][4] In addition, Garth became the first female cast member to direct episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Her successful role on Beverly Hills, 90210 opened the door to several lead roles in made-for-TV films in the 1990s, including Danielle Steel's Star (1993), Without Consent (1994), "Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg (1994)" Falling for You (1995), and An Unfinished Affair (1996). She also had minor and supporting roles in the theatrical films Telling You (1998), My Brother's War (1997), and Power 98 (1996).

Garth at the Twilight premiere in Los Angeles

Garth ranked #59 on the FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2000,^[5] and #93 on the magazine's 100 Sexiest Women of 2001.^[6]

In 2002, Garth starred in the sitcom What I Like About You as Valerie Tyler. Along with co-star Amanda Bynes, she appeared on the show for all four seasons. The show centered around the relationship of the Tyler sisters, along with their friendships and romances. In 2003 she starred in the television movies The Last Cowboy and the Christmas family drama Secret Santa, playing as a journalist. She and the cast Secret Santa won the 2004 CAMIE Award.

In 2005 she voiced her Beverly Hills, 90210 character Kelly Taylor, as well as an additional role in the DVD Film Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story. The ensemble cast also included Seth McFarlane, Alex Borstein, Mila Kunis, and Drew Barrymore. Garth also starred in the 2007 TV teen drama film Girl, Positive, playing a teacher who was HIV positive. She and co-star Andrea Bowen (known for the series Desperate Housewives) won a Prism Award for their performances.

In 2007, Garth appeared on Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars and was paired with Derek Hough. They reached the semi-finals in the competition.

In September 2008, Garth returned to the role of Kelly Taylor on the series premiere of the CW Network's spin-off series, 90210. In the new series, Garth's character Kelly Taylor is now a guidance counselor at West Beverly High, where her half-sister Erin Silver also attends.^[7] Kelly was reintroduced with a four-year-old son, whose father is ex-boyfriend Dylan McKay. The writers were eager to have her share scenes with former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty, who reprised her role of Brenda Walsh.^[8] Tori Spelling, who played Donna Martin in the original series, later joined the spin-off in a recurring role as well. Garth reprised the role in the second season.

Garth appeared on the U.S. game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? on November 21, 2008. She won $100,000 for her charity, the American Heart Association, for whom she serves as spokeswoman for their "Go Red for Women" campaign.^[9] This TV show also noted that Garth owns a horse ranch in Santa Barbara, CA.

In 2009, she played the role of Natasha in Candace Bushnell's Web series The Broadroom, which premiered in September.

In January 2010, Garth starred in a web series created by NBC Universal called Garden Party. The show is aired on iVillage and focuses on various farms, vegetables, and how parents can promote healthy eating in their children. Garden Party focuses on a different vegetable each month and is sponsored by Hidden Valley Ranch.

Personal life[link]

Garth was married to Daniel Clark from 1994 to 1996.^[10]

In 1996, Garth met actor Peter Facinelli while filming the movie An Unfinished Affair. On January 20, 2001, she married Facinelli in a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony.^[11] They have three daughters: Luca Bella (born on June 30, 1997), Lola Ray (born on December 6, 2002), and Fiona Eve (born on September 30, 2006).

On March 13, 2012, Garth and Facinelli announced that they were divorcing.^[12] On March 28, 2012, Facinelli filed for divorce.^[13]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Notes

• a ^ Won by Sarah Michelle Gellar for her role of Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• b ^ Won by Andrea Barber for her role of Kimmy Gibbler in Full House

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jennie Garth

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jennie Garth

• Official website
• Jennie Garth at the Internet Movie Database
• Dancing With The Stars Profile