Biography

Jennie Garth (born Jennifer Eve Garth, in Urbana, Illinois) is a New York Times bestselling author, actress, producer, podcast host, entrepreneur, and designer whose career has spanned more than three decades.

Jennie grew up in Illinois before moving with her family to Phoenix, Arizona, where she studied dance and modeling. At age 15, she was discovered by a talent scout after winning a local talent competition. She and her mother relocated to Los Angeles so she could pursue an acting career, where she completed her education while studying acting and auditioning professionally. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, she landed her first television role on the NBC series Brand New Life.

Within a year, Jennie was cast as Kelly Taylor on Beverly Hills, 90210, the groundbreaking series that became one of the defining television dramas of the 1990s. Running for ten seasons and achieving worldwide success, the iconic series made Jennie one of television's most recognizable stars, and her portrayal of Kelly Taylor remains one of the era's most beloved television characters.

In 2002, Jennie showcased her comedic talents starring opposite Amanda Bynes in The WB's hit sitcom What I Like About You, where she played Valerie Tyler throughout the series' four-season run. She has since starred in more than nineteen television movies, including The Eleventh Victim (2012), A Time to Dance (2017), and Left for Dead: The Ashley Reeves Story (2021), earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Lead Actress. In 2019, she reunited with her original cast-mates as co-creator and executive producer of FOX's BH90210, a critically acclaimed meta reboot of the iconic franchise.

Beyond scripted television, Jennie has built a successful career as a producer, author, and lifestyle personality. She competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2007, authored the memoir Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde, starred in HGTV's The Jennie Garth Project, and appeared in the CMT reality series A Little Bit Country.

Jennie has expanded her career into publishing, pod-casting, and lifestyle brands. She is the New York Times bestselling author of I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention, published by HarperCollins in 2026. The book explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth, becoming an instant bestseller upon its release.

Jennie is also the creator and host of the iHeartPodcasts series I Choose Me, where she shares candid conversations about self-care, emotional wellness, and reinvention. She additionally co-hosts the hit re-watch podcast 9021OMG! alongside Tori Spelling and Amy Sugarman, revisiting Beverly Hills, 90210 with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews, and co-hosts I Do, Part 2, a relationship-focused podcast exploring love and second chances.

Aa a designer, Jennie launched Me by Jennie Garth, an exclusive lifestyle and fashion brand for QVC, followed by successful home decor collections inspired by her passion for design and California living.

In addition to her work in entertainment, Jennie has been an advocate for heart health and women's wellness, serving as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign and supporting organizations including Stand Up To Cancer, Kids Vision for Life, Feeding America, and The Heart Foundation.

Jennie lives in Los Angeles with her husband and family.
- IMDb mini biography by: RJM

[one of the reasons for her being a vegetarian] I never met a cow I didn't like.

[on her family and third child] Peter [husband Peter Facinelli] 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. We can't wait to meet this newest addition to our family!

[on marriages and life] Marriages aren't easy, and we're just like any other couple. We have our roadblocks, but we get around them, and our family prevails. We are so happy we have a normal, grounded life to keep us centered.

[on working with Shannen Doherty]: We were locked in this sound stage for 14-16 hours every day. There were times when we loved each other and there were times when we wanted to claw each other's eyes out.

[2024, on the passing of Shannen Doherty] The woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known. Our connection was real and honest. We were so often pitted against each other but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship which was one built on mutual respect and admiration.