At a Glance
- Jennifer Garner walked her first Golden Globes red carpet in 13 years on Jan. 11
- The 53-year-old actress wore a sleeveless black dress covered in light-catching beaded fringe
- Her last appearance was in 2013 with then-husband Ben Affleck
- Why it matters: The rare public appearance marks a personal and professional milestone for the four-time nominee
Jennifer Garner made a dazzling return to the Golden Globes red carpet on January 11, her first appearance at the awards show in 13 years. The actress arrived at the Beverly Hilton in a black beaded gown that sparkled from head to toe.
The Look
Garner, 53, chose a sleeveless silhouette draped in beaded fringe that moved with her under the lights. She paired the dress with pointed-toe shoes and drop earrings that added extra shine. Her hair was styled in a glamorous down do-curled at the ends and parted to the side.
The ensemble balanced timeless elegance with modern detail, proving that Garner remains a Hollywood style force more than two decades after her breakthrough role.
A 13-Year Absence
The last time Garner graced the Globes red carpet was in 2013, when she attended alongside then-husband Ben Affleck. That year she wore a burgundy Vivienne Westwood Couture sequin gown that turned heads.
Since then, the actress has kept a lower profile at major awards shows, focusing on film and family life.
Awards History
Garner is no stranger to Golden Globes recognition:
- Four-time nominee across film and television categories
- Winner in 2002 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Drama for Alias
- Nominated for Juno (2008) and Dallas Buyers Club (2014)
Her return to the ceremony underscores her continued relevance in an industry that once crowned her the queen of television drama.
Life After Divorce
Garner’s red-carpet re-emergence comes days after she gave rare comments about her “hard” breakup from Affleck. The couple split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage and finalized their divorce three years later.
“You have to be smart about what you can and can’t handle, and I could not handle what was out there,” she told Marie Claire UK. “But what was out there was not what was hard. The fact of it is what was hard. The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard. Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard.”
The actress shares three children with Affleck-Violet Anne, Seraphina Rose, and Samuel-and has spoken about rebuilding her life post-divorce.
Finding Community
After the highly publicized split, Garner said she sought connection with friends and family.
“I make a big, concerted effort to see my people as much as I can, because that’s what matters,” she explained. “That’s where your resilience is: it’s in your relationships and in the people who carry you through.”
This emphasis on personal networks has helped her navigate both single motherhood and the pressures of Hollywood life.
Co-Parenting Success
Garner also shared insight on her current relationship with Affleck, emphasizing that time has healed old wounds.
“That I’m able to co-parent at this point in time with peace and equanimity and a partnership that I didn’t know I would ever get back to,” she said.
She hopes her experience offers encouragement to other women facing similar challenges.
“I think it’s important for women to know, when they think, ‘Oh, I’ll never see that, I’ll never have that feeling, I’ll never be friends with this person again’ [that] time is the opportunity. Time is the opportunity to heal. Time is the opportunity to forgive, to move on and to find a new way to be friends.”
The 2026 Ceremony
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 11, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Garner’s appearance added star power to a ceremony that continues to evolve following recent industry changes.
Her return signals not just a personal milestone but a re-engagement with the awards circuit that once celebrated her breakout television work.
Key Takeaways
- Jennifer Garner’s first Golden Globes appearance since 2013 marks a significant return to the awards show spotlight
- The actress used fashion to make a statement, choosing a beaded black gown that emphasized her timeless style
- Her rare comments about divorce and co-parenting provide insight into her resilience and growth over the past decade
- Garner remains a four-time nominee and one-time winner, with her Alias victory in 2002 still remembered as a television milestone
- The appearance suggests the actress may be open to increased public engagement as she continues balancing career and family life
