Jennifer Garner Was a ‘Huge Fan’ of Victor Garber Before She Learned He Would Play Her Dad on “Alias”

**Jennifer Garner Reflects on ‘Alias’ After 25 Years Since its Premiere**

In a recent conversation with Vanity Fair, Jennifer Garner took a walk down memory lane to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her iconic television series, *Alias*. The show premiered in 2001 and ran until 2006, allowing Garner to cement her status as a Hollywood leading lady while moving away from her previous roles that typecast her as the girl-next-door.

Garner portrayed the formidable spy Sydney Bristow, a character beloved by fans and critics alike. Garner’s performance earned her four Emmy nominations, showcasing her range and depth as an actress. During the retrospective video, the 54-year-old actress expressed her excitement upon learning that esteemed actor Victor Garber would be playing her on-screen father, Jack Bristow.

“I was a huge fan of Victor,” Garner recalled fondly. Prior to *Alias*, she had admired Garber’s stage performances in several Broadway shows while she was still trying to make her way in the industry. “I couldn’t afford to see plays, so I would spend $20 to stand in the back,” she reminisced, fondly recounting her experiences watching Garber in productions like *Arcadia* and *Damn Yankees*. “When I heard that he would be playing my dad, I kind of lost my mind. I was so excited!”

The depth of Garner’s relationship with Garber appears to extend far beyond their roles on screen. She described him not only as a friend but as a paternal figure in her life. “I feel like Victor is my actual dad,” she said, noting that Garber was the officiant at her wedding to ex-husband Ben Affleck and is the godfather to one of her three children. “That’s a cherished relationship… I will do anything to be with him or to be there for him when he needs me.”

During the video segment, Garner also watched clips from the series and reminisced about Garber’s character, remarking on a particularly intense scene where he shot from a moving vehicle. “God, he’s such a badass,” she laughed before adding, “but he’s actually a horrific driver,” a light-hearted jab attributed to Garber’s New York roots.

Garner’s fond memories didn’t end with Garber; she acknowledged that the bonds formed on the set of *Alias* transcend time. “You often hear about people becoming family during production, but in our case, it was that, times a thousand,” she explained. The actress emphasized the intensity and ambition of the show, stating that it had profoundly impacted her life.

Even after the show concluded, Garner maintained close ties with many from the cast and crew. “I still work with the same costumer, driver, stunt double, and stand-in,” she shared. “We’ve been a little band that has stuck together for the past 25 years.” This fidelity to her colleagues extends to Garber, who made a guest appearance in the first season of her Apple TV series, *The Last Thing He Told Me*.

Playing Sydney Bristow not only transformed her acting career but also instilled significant confidence in her. Garner referred to the experience as “boot camp for acting,” and stated that the lessons learned from playing Sydney have continued to influence her personal and professional life. “It made me braver all around,” she asserted.

*Alias* featured a talented ensemble cast, including Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane and Bradley Cooper as Will Tippin, among others. Over the years, Garner has been able to reconnect with her former castmates, sharing photos from reunions with both Garber and Rifkin, who is now 86 years old. Garner cheekily refers to Garber as her “SpyDaddy,” a playful nod to their unique bond.

Speculation about a potential reboot of *Alias* has circulated over the years, and both Garner and Garber have expressed their enthusiasm for revisiting the series that significantly shaped their careers. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, fans of *Alias* eagerly await any news regarding a possible return to the thrilling world of espionage that captured hearts two decades ago.

With nostalgia in the air and a strong network of friendships built over the years, Jennifer Garner’s journey from Sydney Bristow to her present-day achievements exemplifies the lasting impact that *Alias* had on both her life and the television landscape.