90210 alum Jennie Garth was born Jennifer Eve Garth on April 3,1972, in Urbana, Illionis. Garth grew up on a twenty-five-acre horse ranch outside of Urbana, and moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona, when she was thirteen. She took dance lessons and modeling there, with aspirations of opening her own dance studio. At fifteen, Garth was discovered by a talent scout, who encouraged the young beauty to pursue acting. Garth took the advice seriously, dropping out of high school during her junior year to move with her mom to Los Angeles, California. Garth earned her diploma later on, but not before landing the role of a lifetime on one of television's most popular shows.
After living in California for four months, Garth got a part on NBC series A Brand New Life, starring Barbara Eden. Just a few short years later, she landed the role for which she is best known, playing blonde bombshell Kelly Taylor on Aaron Spelling’s teen drama, Beverly Hills, 90210. Starring alongside Shannen Doherty, Jason Priestley, Luke Perry, Tori Spelling, and Ian Ziering, Garth stayed with the series during its entire ten-year run.
Although Garth played best friend to Shannen Doherty’s character on the show, the two did not get along off-screen, and Doherty was noticeably left off of the guest list for Garth’s 1994 wedding to musician, Daniel B. Clark. Garth did, however, become close to Doherty’s show replacement, Tiffani Thiessen; and the two remain best friends.
While acting on 90210, Garth also starred in several made-for-TV movies, some of which she has produced and directed herself. In 1993, she played the lead role in a film adaptation of Danielle Steele’s romance Star; followed one year later with true-story, Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg. In 1995, Garth played the target of a serial killer in Falling for You, and the following year, executive-produced and starred in the teen drama Without Consent (1994).
While filming An Unfinished Affair in 1995, Garth met future husband, actor Peter Facinelli. At the time, Garth was married to musician Daniel B. Clark, however, the couple filed for divorce in 1996. On January 20, 2001, Garth married Peter Facinelli. The couple has three daughters: Luca Bella, born on June 22, 1997; Lola Ray, born on December 6, 2002; and Fiona Eve, born on September 30, 2006. On the topic of her family, Garth has stated, "Peter and I feel very blessed with our children. We didn't plan any one of them but higher forces and recognizing priorities helped us along the way."
From 2000 to 2006, Garth starred on her second-longest running sitcom gig; playing New York City sister, Valerie Tyler, in WB sitcom, What I Like About You, alongside Amanda Bynes and Simon Rex.
Garth and her family divide their time between a home in L.A. and a ranch near Santa Barbara. In her spare time, Garth enjoys riding horses, gardening, and spending time with her kids.
YUDDY
