Biography for
Ginnifer Goodwin More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

22 May 1978, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Birth Name

Jennifer Michelle Goodwin

Nickname

Ginny
Gigi

Height

5' 6" (1.68 m)

Mini Biography

Ginnifer Michelle Goodwin was born on 22nd May 1978, in Memphis, Tennessee. Bright and talented, Ginnifer carried her love for theater and acting through her high school years. She graduated from Lausanne Collegiate School in 1996 and spent a year at Hanover before going to Boston University where she received her BFA in Acting. She went on to receive accolades in London, including receiving a Certificate from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She lived briefly in New York before moving to California where she currently lives. She made her television debut on the series "Law & Order" (1990) but had her first recurring television role on "Ed" (2000) in 2001. Her first movie role was Maya in the first Comedy Central original movie Porn 'n Chicken (2002) (TV). She then went on to shine as Connie Baker in the major motion picture hit Mona Lisa Smile (2003).

Ginnifer filmed the movie Walk the Line (2005) where she plays Johnny Cash's first wife. She is also working on the television drama "Big Love" (2006) with Bill Paxton and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

IMDb Mini Biography By: An Old Friend

Trivia

BFA in acting, with honors, from Boston University. A fellow student was Emily Deschanel.

Acting Shakespeare Certificate from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, UK.

Also studied with London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon (in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company)

Won the Bette Davis Foundation Excellence in Acting / Professional Promise Award for theatre in 2001 (Boston, Massachusetts).

Long time friend Topher Grace recommended her for the role of Cathy Feely in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004).

Was in a relationship with Chris Klein, her boyfriend of two years. [December 2008]

Was girlfriend of Joey Kern [April 6, 2009].

As a child, she attended the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, a summer camp for Reform Jewish children in Utica, Mississippi.

'Younger sister, Melissa Goodwin Shepherd, is a stop-motion animator.

Was engaged to Joey Kern [December 24, 2010 - May 20, 2011].

Sister-in-law of Nathan Shepherd.

Her dream to be a Walt Disney princess came true with her role in "Once Upon a Time" (2011).

Is no longer a vegan, after telling in an interview that she had several health issues.

Good friends with "Once Upon a Time" (2011) costar Jennifer Morrison.

Attended and failed clown school.

Where Are They Now

(September 2002) Filming Mona Lisa Smile (2003) until January, 2003

(July 2003) Filming Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004).

(November 2012) Vancouver, BC, Canada: Filming Once Upon A Time