Jennifer Garner showcased a notably leggier ensemble than her typical style as she entered the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. The 53-year-old actress was there to tape an episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, marking her fourth appearance on the CBS talk show.
A Stylish Arrival in Winter Chill
Garner flashed a hint of thigh in a sophisticated black midi-dress featuring a single asymmetric strap. She paired the look with sexy patent leather heels selected by her stylist, Jordan Johnson Chung. Despite the 40-degree Fahrenheit winter weather, the Golden Globe winner removed her heavy coat for waiting photographers, revealing the dress's dramatic cape-like back.
Professional Glamour for Television
Hairstylist Ben Skervin gave Garner's signature brunette mane a polished blow-out, while make-up artist Genevieve Herr expertly contoured her complexion for high-definition television close-ups. The actress completed her look with a vampy red manicure by nail artist Mo Qin and wore a curious bauble on her left ring finger.
Decades-Long Friendship with Colbert
The appearance represented a happy reunion for the Texan-born mother-of-three and host Stephen Colbert, whose friendship dates back to 1996. Garner recalled how Colbert and his wife Evelyn had asked her and her roommate to babysit their infant daughter during that period.
'Because you said you needed a job,' Colbert reminded her during their conversation. 'And I said, "Well, I have a baby."'
Garner responded with nostalgia: 'So we go back! Anyway, I was here. It reminded me of that huge blizzard in 1996. Oh God, we're old!'
Surprising Revelation About Colbert's Daughter
Colbert then delivered a startling revelation: 'That baby you were feeding is 30 now.'
'What?!' the SAG Award winner exclaimed before standing up. 'That is so rude! ... For her to be 30!'
Like her famous father, the Yale-educated Madeleine Colbert now works for CBS as an associate producer on 60 Minutes. The two actors originally met when they had 'scrubby guest-star' roles as Frank and Becky in the same 1996 episode of ABC sitcom Spin City titled 'The Competition.'
Promoting New Projects and Business Ventures
Garner appeared on The Late Show primarily to promote the second season of The Last Thing He Told Me, which premieres this Friday on Apple TV. She both executive produces and stars in the series, reprising her role as woodworker Hannah Hall.
The first season of Laura Dave and Josh Singer's thriller received mixed reviews, scoring 41% critic approval and 48% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, Garner continues to expand her entertainment portfolio with several upcoming projects:
- Netflix cryptocurrency comedy One Attempt Remaining
- Netflix holiday comedy Mrs. Claus
- Max Winkler's true-crime film Fruitcake
- Peacock's eight-episode drama The Five-Star Weekend
Business Success Beyond Acting
Beyond her acting career, Garner has achieved significant business success. On February 6, the Denison University graduate and her Once Upon a Farm co-founders Cassandra Curtis and John Foraker took their children's food company public as 'OFRM' on the New York Stock Exchange.
The stock debuted strongly, with prices rising to $20–$25 per share after raising nearly $198 million at a $724 million valuation. Garner expressed gratitude for the successful public offering, which represents another milestone in her diverse career.
Meanwhile, the Angel City FC co-owner continues to balance her professional life with raising her three children—Violet, 20; Fin, 17; and Samuel, who turns 14 on February 27—from her decade-long marriage to Ben Affleck, which ended in 2018.
