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.

Biography

Jennie Garth was born in Urbana, Illinois to John and Carolyn Garth, who each already had three children from different marriages. She 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, she and her family moved to Phoenix, 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 talent scout. She later left Greenway High School during her junior year, and she and her mother moved to Los Angeles so she 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 series A Brand New Life (1989).

Jennie 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 Ericka 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 and best friend Tiffani Thiessen. Garth was also originally cast on the NBC musical Hull High but turned it down for the role of Kelly Taylor on Beverly Hills, 90210.

Jennie at the 1992 Emmy AwardsIn 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. 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.

Jennie Garth's 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 2002, Jennie 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 Jennie Garth 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, Jennie 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. 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. Tori Spelling, who played Donna Martin in the original series, later joined the spin-off in a recurring role as well.

Jennie appeared on the U.S. game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? on November 21, 2008. Jennie Garth won $100,000 for her charity, the American Heart Association.

In 2007, Jennie appeared on Season 5 of Dancing with the Stars and was paired with Derek Hough. Jennie 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 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 (something very uncommon in the show). 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.

This Jennie Garth Biography Page is Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Chuck Ayoub