Jennifer Garner admits acting is a 'very selfish' job after prioritising family
The actress reveals she chooses acting because she loves it, not because she needs it
Jennifer Garner has opened up about her acting career, revealing that she takes on roles because she enjoys the craft rather than because she depends on it.
The 13 Going on 30 actress explained that much of her time has been dedicated to her children, her company Once Upon a Farm and her work with Save the Children, while also raising her three children — Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14 — whom she shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck.
Speaking to InStyle, Garner said acting comes from a place of happiness and passion.
“I feel lucky because I really come at acting from a place of joy,” she said. “I’m not tortured. It’s not filling a hole. I just really love to do it. And I love to be around people who love to do it.”
After stepping away from acting at times to focus on motherhood, Garner said she has recently been able to dedicate more time to her career.
The actress admitted that returning to acting has allowed her to enjoy the experience again, but she acknowledged the demands that come with the profession.
“I have this year and a half where I just indulged in acting, because this job is very selfish,” Garner said.
She explained that acting often revolves around an actor’s schedule and does not always align easily with family responsibilities.
“It’s all about your schedule,” she said. “It’s not about what the kids have going on at school. It’s not about pickups and drop-offs and making it home for dinner.”
Garner recently completed filming The Five-Star Weekend, a limited series focused on personal growth and life changes during midlife — a theme she said connected with her own experiences.
“I relate to that feeling of like, okay, I gave everything to mothering,” she shared.
The actress emphasized that while she remains fully committed to being a mother, she is also grateful to reconnect with another part of herself.
“I’m still their mom, I’m not going anywhere, I’m still all-in,” Garner said. “I’m also really grateful to have this part of my life back.”
Garner added that she no longer apologizes to her children for working and instead appreciates their understanding and support.
“When I work, I don’t apologise to my kids for it. I do thank them for being so sweet about it,” she said.