At a Glance
- Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo shared a pre-show chat at the Jan. 11 Golden Globes, reviving memories of their 2004 hit 13 Going on 30.
- Ruffalo, 58, was nominated for Best TV Drama Actor for HBO’s Task.
- The brief reunion took place during dinner at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
- Why it matters: Fans still celebrate the duo’s on-screen chemistry two decades after the romantic comedy debuted.
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo turned the 2026 Golden Globe Awards into a miniature 13 Going on 30 reunion. Ethan R. Coleman reported for News Of Losangeles that the pair were spotted smiling and talking together at a pre-ceremony dinner on Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
A Beloved Comedy’s Lasting Impact
The 2004 film cast Garner, now 53, as Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who magically wakes up as a 30-year-old fashion-magazine editor. Ruffalo played Matty, her childhood friend and eventual love interest. The romantic comedy also featured Judy Greer, Andy Serkis and Kathy Baker, and became a breakout project for its leads.
Ruffalo arrived at the Globes as a nominee in the category Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role in HBO’s Task. Competition in the field included Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Diego Luna (Andor), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) and Adam Scott (Severance). Noah Wyle ultimately won for The Pitt.
Fans Still Handing Out Razzles
During the film’s 20th-anniversary press cycle in 2024, Ruffalo told News Of Losangeles that 13 Going on 30 remains the movie strangers mention most. “It’s the one I get people talking about when they come up to me,” he said, noting that fans “are frequently handing me Razzles,” a nod to the candy Matty fetches during a late-night dash for Jenna.
Garner echoed the sentiment, calling that scene “a favorite memory” from production. In an April 2024 interview with News Of Losangeles, she recalled, “It was the biggest paycheck any of us had ever had, even though it was not crazy. It was such a step up. We didn’t know if it would be any good or not, but we were all so in it to win it.”
Sunday’s Ceremony Snapshot
- Date: January 11, 2026
- Location: Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles
- Airtime: 8 p.m. EST on CBS and Paramount+
- Ruffalo’s status: Nominated but did not win
- Garner’s role: Presenter and audience member
Cameras caught the two actors laughing at their table long before the first award was announced. Their brief catch-up lasted only a few minutes, yet it was enough to ignite social-media buzz among viewers tracking the ceremony’s red-carpet and dinner coverage.
Why 13 Going on 30 Endures
The film’s blend of nostalgia, fashion-industry fantasy and feel-good romance continues to attract new fans on streaming platforms. Key elements include:
- The “Thriller” dance sequence re-created at Jenna’s office party
- The Razzles candy run that cements Matty’s devotion
- Jenna’s poigniant realization that adult success means little without genuine friendship
- A time-travel twist that keeps the plot family-friendly yet emotionally resonant
Garner and Ruffalo’s easy chemistry-on full display during Sunday’s casual conversation-helped turn a modestly budgeted rom-com into a cultural touchstone that still generates memes, merchandise references and reunion questions two decades later.
Awards Night Context
The 83rd Golden Globes unfolded under a traditional format after recent industry strikes delayed prior ceremonies. Studios leveraged the event to promote upcoming film slates, while streaming services highlighted prestige series such as Task, Severance and The Pitt.
Ruffalo’s nomination marked his fourth Globe nod overall, though he left this year’s show empty-handed. Garner, attending as both presenter and fan, used the evening to reconnect with colleagues across film and television.
Key Takeaways
- 13 Going on 30 stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo shared a warm pre-show moment at the 2026 Golden Globes.
- Their brief reunion revived fan affection for the 2004 romantic comedy.
- Ruffalo, nominated for Task, praised the enduring popularity of the film during its 2024 anniversary press tour.
- The interaction, captured by News Of Losangeles reporters, underscored the lasting cultural footprint of feel-good early-2000s cinema.
