Jennifer Garner took a trip down memory lane recently and shared insight into her 30th anniversary since moving to New York City to pursue acting.
The 13 Going on 30 actress got candid about the struggles she faced early on in her career during her interview on Live with Kelly and Mark on February 19.
She recalled: "I moved to New York exactly right now 30 years ago…I'm just having his major nostalgia. I got here. I was auditioning out of Backstage. I was just visiting because I was auditioning."
© Getty ImagesThe performer revealed that she used a little white lie to get her further in the competitive industry while she lived on 85th and Broadway.
Jennifer shared: "I got all these little jobs – these non-equity jobs – because I was lying. I was actually equity."
Kelly Ripa interjected: "No, but you have to lie, that's the only way to get a job. As an actor, you have to lie." Jennifer stretched her arms out and announced to the audience: "I lied!"
The actress explained that her living situation wasn't the best back then, but she rolled with the punches.
© Getty ImagesThe entertainer expressed: "During that time, I went to Actor's Equity and I got off the bulletin board, [a sign that read] 'Roommate needed.' And I lived on this woman's kitchen floor for nine months and I was understudying a play at the Roundabout [Theater] for $150 a week. And I was working at Isabella's on the southeast corner of 72nd and Columbus…That all happened this week, 30 years ago. Isn't that crazy?"
Mark Consuelos emphasized that there was something extra special about "that New York 30 years ago," and the actress couldn't help but agree.
© Getty ImagesShe added: "I was so broke, I walked from my apartment to the theater because I couldn't afford $1.25 for the subway. The token. I couldn't afford the token."
Kelly replied: "The token was so astronomical," and Jennifer interjected: "Do you remember finding a token on the ground and just being like 'what?'"
The TV host comically added: "My ship has come in." Mark inquired further about Jennifer's comfortability in the apartment and asked: "How was the lady's floor?"
© FilmMagicJennifer explained: "It was great. I had a futon. I had my suitcase. She was great. She was lovely to me…It was before there was Crate and Barrel. It was before all the stuff. [Back] when you used to work in a restaurant and they would have staff meal and you'd be like, 'can I take some of this home for later?'"
Times may have evolved for the talented actress, but one thing is for certain – she has not lost the humbleness that she started out with in the tough industry.
