Jennie Garth

Jennifer Eve Garth is an American actress born on April 3, 1972, in Urbana, Illinois. She is best known for her portrayal of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise and for starring as Val Tyler on the sitcom What I Like About You from 2002 to 2006. Over her career, Garth has worked extensively in television series, made-for-TV films, reality shows, and podcasts.

Garth was raised by her parents, John and Carolyn Garth, as the youngest of seven children. She spent much of her youth on a 25-acre horse ranch in Illinois before moving to Glendale, Arizona, at around age 13. After studying dance and modeling, she was discovered at a local talent competition by manager Randy James. She attended Greenway and Apollo High Schools, taking acting lessons before leaving during her junior year to move to Los Angeles and pursue her career, eventually receiving her diploma in California.

In 1990, Garth landed her breakout role as Kelly Taylor on Beverly Hills, 90210. She appeared in all ten seasons, directed two episodes, and won a Young Artist Award for her performance. Her character also served as a bridge to launch the franchise spin-offs Melrose Place and 90210. During the 1990s, Garth starred in numerous made-for-TV movies, including Danielle Steel's Star, Without Consent, Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg, Falling for You, and An Unfinished Affair, along with minor theatrical roles in Power 98 and My Brother's War.

From 2002 to 2006, Garth co-starred with Amanda Bynes in the sitcom What I Like About You. Her subsequent television projects included starring roles in the TV films Secret Santa and Girl, Positive, earning a CAMIE Award and a Prism Award, respectively. In 2007, she reached the semi-finals on season five of Dancing with the Stars with partner Derek Hough. She later reprised her role as Kelly Taylor in The CW's 90210 in 2008, playing a guidance counselor at West Beverly High.

In addition to acting, Garth has starred in unscripted series, including Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country in 2012 and The Jennie Garth Project in 2014. She published her memoir, Deep Thoughts From a Hollywood Blonde, in April 2014. Her later ventures include launching the subscription service MomGiftBox.com in 2017, co-hosting the podcast 9021OMG beginning in 2020, and launching a clothing line on QVC in 2024.

Garth has been married three times: to musician Daniel B. Clark, actor Peter Facinelli, with whom she has three daughters, and actor David Abrams. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse and a leaky heart valve.