Jennifer Eve "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.
Early life
Jennifer Eve Garth was born three hours south of
Chicago, in
Urbana, Illinois, to John
[My Life: Jennie Garth] and Carolyn Garth, who each already had three children from different marriages. Garth grew up on a 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 years old, she and her family moved to
Glendale, 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 Hollywood Talent Manager named Randy James. She attended
Greenway High School her Freshman year and transferred to
Apollo High School for her Sophomore year. She later left Apollo High School during her junior year, when she and her mother moved to
Los Angeles to work with James so Garth 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 tv series,
A Brand New Life (1989-'90), which lasted eight episodes including, "Episode Zero."
