Jennifer Eve "Jennie" Garth (born April 3, 1972) is an American actress, best known for starring in the prominent role of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. She is also known for starring as Valerie Tyler in What I Like About You.
Jennifer Eve Garth was born three hours south of Chicago, in Urbana, Illinois, to John[1] and Carolyn Garth, who each already had three children from different marriages. Garth grew up on a 25-acre (100,000 m2) horse ranch in Arcola, Illinois, with her six older half-siblings: Johnny, Chuck, Lisa, Cammie, Wendy and Lynn. Jennie also lived in Tuscola, Illinois, during her younger years. When Garth was 13 years old, she and her family moved to Glendale, Arizona. She took dancing lessons and modeled while living there, which led to her participation in a talent competition where she was discovered by a Hollywood Talent Manager named Randy James. She attended Greenway High School her Freshman year and transferred to Apollo High School for her Sophomore year. She later left Apollo High School during her junior year, when she and her mother moved to Los Angeles to work with James so Garth could become an actress, later obtaining her high school diploma in California. There, she started taking acting classes and went to auditions almost every day. After living in L.A. for about four months, she landed the role of "Erica McCray" on the NBC tv series, A Brand New Life (1989-'90), which lasted eight episodes including, "Episode Zero."
Garth landed her first role starring as Denise in the television series Growing Pains. She also appeared in six episodes on A Brand New Life as Erica McCray. Garth then auditioned for the part of Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell, but the role eventually went to her Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Tiffani Thiessen.
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 as of 2009.[3][4]
In addition, Garth became the first female cast member to direct episodes of the show.
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), 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).
In 1994, Jennie Garth made a Special Guest Appearance at Wrestlemania X in New York City's Madison Square Garden.
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 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.[5] 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.[6] 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. 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.
In 2007, Garth appeared on Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars and was paired with Derek Hough. Garth had consistently high scores throughout the entire competition and was one of the few contestants to maintain 8s and above after week two. She was eliminated on the ninth week of competition finishing at a respectable fourth out of 12, after scoring her first perfect score of the competition with her Cha-Cha-Cha [7] while Marie Osmond (who came in last place for three weeks up to that point) remained in the competition. The audience gave her a standing ovation. Judge Len Goodman stated that it "was not her time to go." In her exiting montage video, Derek Hough stated how proud he was of her for going on an emotional journey and improving from three 7s to three 10s.
