How America's sweetheart Jennifer Garner went from small town girl to Hollywood badass

• Jennifer Garner grew up in West Virginia and rose to fame with her role as Sydney Bristow on the show "Alias."
• Since then, she's portrayed badass roles in movies like "Daredevil" and "Peppermint."
• In addition to being an award-winning actress and mother of three, Garner is also the co-founder of the company Once Upon a Farm, which creates kid-friendly food using organic ingredients.
• Visit INSIDER.com for more stories.

Jennifer Garner has come a long way since her days on ABC's "Alias" in the early 2000s.

Over the years, Garner had been steadily climbing her way to A-list status. For years, she's starred in movies and shows that proved her flexibility as an actress, from roles in comedies to those in dramas. She's also a Golden Globe winner, mother of three, activist, and a viral meme.  

In honor of Garner's 47th birthday, keep reading to learn all about her life and career thus far — from her childhood in West Virginia to her stardom in Hollywood.

SEE ALSO: 30 photos that show how Jennifer Garner's style has evolved over the years

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April 17, 1972: Jennifer Garner was born in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Charleston, West Virginia.

Garner is one of three daughters (she's the middle child), and credits her demeanor to her upbringing. 

"I feel so fortunate to have grown up in a place where people look out for each other," Garner told Southern Living in 2015. "Community is the one thing people crave most, and it's hard to come by. I grew up with such an excess of it that now wherever I go, the first thing I do is build my group."

Before becoming an actress, Garner's jobs included babysitting, working at a men's clothing store, and "building sets and cleaning toilets" at a theater. 

Garner started landing acting roles when she was a teenager.

She had roles on TV shows like "Law and Order," "Significant Others," and "Time of Your Life." 

In October 2000, Garner married Scott Foley — who she met on the set of the TV show "Felicity."

Unfortunately, their marriage didn't last too long.