Julia Garner‘s career transformation has been remarkable, evolving from a timid and shy child into an Emmy-winning actor known for her fearless range across genres. From her early years in New York City to her breakout role as Ruth Langmore on Netflix’s Ozark, Garner’s journey shows how determination and talent can overcome adversity.
Growing Up in a Creative and Intellectual Family
Born on February 1, 1994, in New York City, Julia Garner was raised in an environment rich with creativity and intellect. Her mother, Tami Gingold, previously a sketch comedy actor in Israel and later a therapist in the Bronx, encouraged artistic expression, while her father, Thomas Garner, is a painter and art instructor. Julia also has an older sister, Anna, who teaches special education and English as a second language, creating a household filled with educators and therapists.
I feel so lucky that I grew up in the house that I did,
Garner told The Hollywood Reporter.
It’s crazy — don’t get me wrong — but it’s good crazy …
She reflected on how family disputes often resembled therapy sessions, sharing,
It benefited my acting, to be honest,
and,
You can only imagine a house full of therapists and teachers.
Her childhood also included an early appreciation for classic films that many would consider mature for a young viewer. Films like All About Eve and Rosemary’s Baby captivated her interest before her teenage years. When Netflix began mailing DVDs, she recalls watching iconic films such as Taxi Driver alone in bed, igniting her passion for storytelling on screen.
Using Acting to Overcome Shyness and Learning Challenges
Despite the artistic influence at home, Garner struggled significantly with shyness throughout her childhood, compounded by a learning disability that prevented her from reading until age ten. This delay deeply affected her confidence and contributed to feelings of isolation.
Even after I learned how to read, it still affected my confidence to the point where I was so shy,
she disclosed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, adding,
Everything that I said, I felt stupid.
In addition to these hurdles, she also suffered from epilepsy, which often caused her to shut down emotionally during frequent bouts of illness.
Acting became a vital outlet for Julia, allowing her to explore expression in ways her shy nature previously blocked.
… when I took acting, I discovered that I could use someone else’s lines and still express my own feelings … I felt like I was being heard,
she revealed.
And not only that, I felt like I could hear myself for the first time.
How Julia Garner’s Signature Curls Emerged
Julia Garner’s distinctive look is one of her unique traits, featuring deep blue eyes paired with curly blonde hair. Interestingly, her trademark curls did not appear until she was around twelve years old, making the change both sudden and surprising.
When I was like 12, suddenly my roots started growing out curly and the ends were straight,
Garner described to The Cut.
It looked like a rat’s nest — it was disgusting.
Following a visit to a hairstylist, she had the straight ends chopped off, resulting in a dramatic, short curly hairstyle that made her unrecognizable to her peers.
She recounted,
I went to school the next day and everyone was looking at me like, ‘Who’s the new girl?’ My best friend didn’t recognize me,
calling it one of the most bizarre experiences of her life. Embracing her new look, Garner also started wearing red lipstick, which sometimes puzzled boys at school.
I just feel like a lot of boys were like, ‘What’re you wearing lipstick for? Are you trying to like, impress us?’ And I’m just like, ‘No, I’m wearing it for myself,’
she remarked.
Early Career and Indie Film Beginnings
Despite strong acting classes, Garner’s initial forays into mainstream auditions were challenging. At 15, she auditioned for a Nickelodeon show but was rejected mid-audition.
The casting director stopped me in the middle,
Garner recalled.
She was like, ‘Honey, you’re great, but you shouldn’t be here.’
Garner believed her natural, less conventional style did not fit typical TV roles.
I was too natural maybe in terms of acting,
she reflected. I was just too weird-looking. However, this distinctive quality helped her transition to independent films, where she flourished.
Her first film role came in 2011 when she was cast in the indie psychological thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene, sharing the screen with Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson. At just 16, Garner admitted she was still learning the ropes.
I didn’t know what I was doing,
she said.
I learned how to be on a movie set.
Learning Acting Craft from Veterans Like Lily Tomlin
Following her debut, Julia Garner appeared in numerous indie films including Electrick Children, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and We Are What We Are. In 2015, she landed a starring role opposite Lily Tomlin in Grandma, portraying a pregnant teenager seeking support from her grandmother.
Garner considered working alongside Tomlin a valuable learning experience, preferring to observe rather than ask many questions.
Just watching her work … seeing how she prepares before. It was just amazing,
she told IndieWire. The pair rehearsed for a week and talked about their approaches, which helped create their onscreen chemistry.
Preparing Intensively for the Role of Ruth Langmore on Ozark
Julia Garner steadily built her resume with roles on television shows like The Americans before landing what would become her breakthrough character, Ruth Langmore, on Netflix’s Ozark. The complexity of Ruth’s character immediately captivated her.
I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, this character is amazing,’
Garner said.
‘There’s so much to it. If I don’t get this, I don’t think I can watch this show.’
Determined to master the role, she worked intensely on perfecting the specific Missouri accent before even officially being cast.
A month before I got the job, I started talking in a Missouri accent,
she shared.
I would go to restaurants and order my food in the accent and kind of get used to it. I got so comfortable that it was like second nature to me.
Though hesitant during auditions about whether her accent made her seem overly “actory,” she proceeded with confidence. After the show’s debut, Garner’s performance received widespread acclaim, earning her three Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Marriage to Musician Mark Foster and Personal Milestones
Julia Garner’s personal life gained attention when she married Mark Foster, frontman for the band Foster the People. The couple met at Sundance Film Festival and dated for ten months before Foster’s romantic proposal during a road trip in Montana, prior to filming the third season of Ozark.
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,
Garner shared with Vogue.
Choosing to marry at New York City’s City Hall, where her parents had wed four decades earlier, the ceremony was followed by a reception at the Public Hotel. Their first dance was to an original song Foster composed for the occasion.
It was very surreal, and the most beautiful present I’ve ever received,
Garner described.
It felt like I was floating up in the air—it was the most magical moment I’ve ever had.
Portraying Anna Delvey: A Challenging and Intense Role
In 2022, Garner starred in the Netflix miniseries Inventing Anna, playing the notorious socialite Anna Delvey, who deceived New York’s elite by posing as a German heiress. The role demanded intense preparation, including mastering a complex accent that combined German, Russian, and English influences within a three-week timeframe.
This is probably the hardest job I’ve ever done,
Garner admitted.
It was a lot of pressure,
she explained.
I knew at the outset this was the hardest accent I’m ever going to do in my career.
She met the real Delvey in prison to better understand her persona and humor, vital to capturing the character’s essence.
She’s very funny … so I knew there had to be that comedic aspect to the show,
Garner said, adding,
Very funny, very likable, and she wanted to talk, as much as she was able to.
Garner was struck by Delvey’s lack of remorse despite her convictions for larceny.
I don’t think she sees a difference between being hungry, and being ambitious,
the actor observed.
Onstage Appearance with Madonna as Biopic Rumors Swirl
For years, Julia Garner was rumored to be cast in a biopic about pop icon Madonna. Though initially scrapped in 2023, the project resurfaced in 2025 as a Netflix limited series, though Garner’s involvement remains uncertain. However, Garner appeared onstage with Madonna in 2023 during a concert, serving as a guest judge for the Vogueing segment.
Dressed entirely in black with pearls and evoking Madonna’s Like a Virgin era, Garner impressed fans who hope she will play the superstar. Their onstage camaraderie was captured in fan videos, showcasing Garner’s suitability for the role.
Revisiting the Horror Genre with New Projects in 2025
Julia Garner first explored horror early in her career with titles like We Are What We Are and The Last Exorcism Part II. In 2025, she returned strongly, starring in two major horror films, Wolf Man and Weapons. During an interview, Garner highlighted the unexpected emotional stamina required for horror acting.
… you expect it but you don’t really know until it happens,
she said, adding,
I think you become a more confident actor after an experience like that … doing acting in horror is not easy,
she shared.
The positive aspect of horror work for Garner was the opportunity to reunite with Christopher Abbott, her co-star from her first feature.
I did my first feature with him, so it was really nice reconnecting with him,
she said on Today.
Taking on the Silver Surfer Role Amid Fan Criticism
2025 marked another milestone as Garner joined the cast of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, playing the Silver Surfer. This casting met with some backlash from fans who felt the role should have gone to a male actor. Garner addressed the criticism, noting her portrayal was inspired by the 1968 comic featuring Shalla-Bal, a female counterpart to the original Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd.
She shrugged off the negative comments, stating,
Oh well, you know … I was like, ‘I’m just going to still do my job.
Ahead of the film release, a clip of Garner’s Silver Surfer voice went viral on TikTok, despite her initial unfamiliarity with the platform.
… my friends were sending me all these TikToks and I couldn’t even open it.
She added,
I’m just happy that people are liking it.
Julia Garner’s career transformation from a shy, awkward youth into a confident, award-winning Hollywood star is an inspiring story of resilience and artistic growth. Her versatility across indie films, TV dramas, horror, and blockbuster Marvel productions reveals her dynamic talent and ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Julia Garner have a disability?
A. When she was young, Julia Garner had epilepsy and struggled with learning. She went to Eagle Hill School, a special private school in Greenwich, Connecticut, for kids with unique learning needs. At 14, she started acting classes to help with her shyness.
Q. What did Anna Delvey think of Julia Garner?
A. “She was very nice,” said Delvey, also known as Anna Sorokin, about Garner. “She visited me and is a really kind person.” Delvey, 31, mentioned they met just once, during which she requested Garner to mimic her well-known accent.
Q. Did Julia Garner wear a prosthetic?
A. Alongside always wearing wigs and fancy outfits, Garner also used fake teeth. Adding this feature was her last-minute idea for the role.
