Julia Garner and Mark Foster have shared a deeply supportive relationship for over seven years, beginning with a chance encounter at Sundance in 2013. Their bond intertwines the worlds of music and acting, as Garner takes on a groundbreaking role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while Foster continues to lead his acclaimed band.
The Beginning of Julia Garner and Mark Foster’s Relationship
Julia Garner and Mark Foster first crossed paths in 2013 outside the Eccles Theater at the Sundance Film Festival, though they did not immediately connect beyond that meeting. Months later, Foster reached out via Instagram, sparking their communication and eventual relationship. Garner recalled her initial curiosity, saying,
“I was like, ‘Who’s this guy liking all my photos? Is this a stalker?’ I clicked on him and I was like, ‘Oh, Mark. Oh, he’s cute. I’m going to follow him back.’ Then he DM’d me.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
From their first conversation, they discovered surprising common ground: both had family ties near Cleveland, Ohio, fostering casual holiday meet-ups that became a cherished tradition. Their romance quickly grew serious, culminating in Foster’s proposal just ten months after they began dating.
Mark Foster’s Journey as a Musician and Artist
Mark Foster has long been dedicated to his music career as the founding lead vocalist of Foster the People, a band that emerged in 2009 after years of struggle. Before their breakthrough, Foster faced financial hardship as an emerging artist in Los Angeles, enduring tough times as he described:
“For eight years, I just scraped by as a starving artist delivering pizzas, sleeping on couches, sleeping in my car and all of those things.”
—Mark Foster, Musician
Earlier in his career, Foster nearly inked a deal with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment, which ultimately fell through. He collaborated on songs and scores for several projects, including with comedian Andy Dick, and produced music for various bands prior to finding commercial success.
Foster the People’s debut single, “Pumped Up Kicks,” gained sleeper hit status and earned a Grammy nomination, establishing the band’s presence in alternative music. The group has since produced four albums, including their Grammy-nominated debut Torches, and the Billboard 200 top-3 album Supermodel. Foster continues to expand his musical influence through ventures like his Sirius XM radio show, Escapology on Alt Nation.
In addition to his band work, Mark Foster has contributed to pop music, notably co-writing “Forever Winter” with Taylor Swift for her album Red, later featured on her 2021 Red (Taylor’s Version).
The Romantic Road Trip That Led to Their Engagement
Shortly after surpassing ten months together, Foster planned a memorable getaway to deepen their connection before Garner began filming Ozark’s third season in Atlanta. They rented an RV and traveled to Montana, seeking time away from city life to simply enjoy each other’s company.
During this trip near Flathead Lake, Foster surprised Garner with a heartfelt proposal. She recalled the intimate moment:
“He read me a poem he had written to me, and when he finished, he dropped to a knee and asked me to marry him.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
They accepted the natural beauty of camping under the stars at Yellowstone National Park, describing the entire experience as surreal and beautiful.
A Wedding Reflecting Personal Values and Family Traditions
When deciding how to celebrate their marriage, Julia Garner and Mark Foster reflected on their preferences, ultimately opting for a courthouse wedding in New York City over a large affair or elopement. Garner wanted a moment reminiscent of her parents’ simple yet meaningful ceremony decades earlier.
For the courthouse occasion, Garner chose a silk trouser suit designed by Danielle Frankel, explaining,
“I love pants suits, and I always thought that if I were to get married in a courthouse, I wanted to wear one.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
The smaller ceremony included only immediate family as witnesses, followed by a reception party organized by Garner, Foster, and her mother, Tamar. Friends and colleagues contributed to the event’s music, photography, and cake, lending a personal touch without hiring professional wedding planners.
Mutual Encouragement and Support in Their Careers
Throughout their time together, Julia Garner and Mark Foster have demonstrated consistent admiration and encouragement for one another’s achievements. When Garner won her first Emmy for her role in Ozark, Foster shared a heartfelt message publicly, stating,
“I’m beyond proud of this girl. Congratulations you beautiful angel of a human. It brings me immeasurable joy to see you lifted up and recognized by your peers, your industry, and your fans… I consider myself the luckiest guy on the planet to be able to watch whatever you do from the front row, with a bag of popcorn and your hand wrapped in mine.”
—Mark Foster, Musician
The two have celebrated awards together multiple times, including attending the 72nd and 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, often displaying their close bond through casual moments such as joining the ceremony via Zoom in pajamas. Garner also credited Foster in her Golden Globe acceptance speech, saying,
“I want to say thank you to my team who has been with me for years, my husband, Mark, I love you.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
On social media, they frequently mark birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions with warm messages and shared experiences, including vacations with close friends like actors Miles Teller and Keleigh Teller, showcasing the importance of their supportive partnership.
Julia Garner’s Role as the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four
Julia Garner recently embraced a significant new role as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a project that showcases her versatility and rising stardom. This role is entirely motion-capture based, with early reactions praising the CGI depiction of her character.
At the film’s Los Angeles premiere, Garner expressed her excitement and modest wonder at the transformation, sharing,
“I was in total disbelief. I mean, they made me look way cooler than I actually am.”
—Julia Garner, Actress
This opportunity marks another important milestone in her career following acclaimed performances in projects like Ozark and Inventing Anna, signaling a promising trajectory alongside Foster’s ongoing musical success.
The Enduring Impact of Their Relationship
The story of Julia Garner and Mark Foster highlights how two creative individuals from different artistic fields can build a resilient and loving partnership. From their initial encounter at Sundance to major personal and professional milestones, their journey underscores the value of mutual respect, shared experiences, and unwavering support.
As Garner continues to expand her influence in film and Foster maintains his presence in the music industry, their relationship serves as an inspiring example of balance between personal commitments and career ambitions. Fans and followers can anticipate witnessing further chapters in both their artistic achievements and their shared life together.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Julia Garner have a disability?
A. When she was young, Julia Garner had epilepsy and learning disabilities. She went to Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Connecticut, a private school for students with different learning needs. At 14, she started acting classes to combat her shyness.
Q. What did Anna Delvey think of Julia Garner?
A. Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin, mentioned that Garner was really kind. She described Garner as a very sweet person. Delvey, 31, explained that they only met one time. During that meeting, she asked Garner to imitate her well-known accent.
