JoAnna García Swisher(born August 10, 1979)[1]is an American actress and businesswoman. She is known for her roles as Sam inAre You Afraid of the Dark?(1994–96),Vicki ApplebyinFreaks and Geeks(1999–2000), andCheyenne Hart-MontgomeryonThe WB/CWsitcomReba(2001–07). She has also gained popularity with her acting roles inPrivileged(2008–09),Better with You(2010–11),Animal Practice(2012),Once Upon a Time(2013–18),The Astronaut Wives Club(2015),Fist Fight(2017) andSweet Magnolias(2020–present). García also stars as Lindsey Johnson inHallmark Channel'sAs Luck Would Have It(2021).[2]She hostedThe Ultimatum: Queer LoveonNetflixin 2023.
JoAnna García | |
---|---|
Born | Tampa, Florida,U.S. | August 10, 1979
Other names | JoAnna García Swisher |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1992–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Early life
editGarcía was born inTampa,Florida,to Loraine, a homemaker and former elementary school teacher, and Jay García (1945–2019),[3]agynecologistfromCuba.[4][5]She has one brother, Michael García. She began performing at age 10 when she auditioned for a local theater production and landed the lead.[citation needed]
Disney Channeldiscovered her, but her parents put school first and she acted in localplaysto keep up with her passion. She was thehomecoming queen[6]at Florida'sTampa Catholic High School.[5]
Career
editWhile in Florida, García guest starred inseaQuest DSV,Second Noah,andSuperboyand several films of the week. While attending high school, she was re-discovered byNickelodeonand starred for three seasons as Samantha onAre You Afraid of the Dark?.She commuted from Florida to Montreal, Canada, where the show was filmed. She was cast at the age of fifteen on the 1994 television dramaParty of Five,playing the recurring character Hallie. She had a recurring role onFreaks and Geeks(1999–2000) portraying the character ofVicki Appleby,the popular freshmancheerleaderwho spentseven minutes in heavenwith the ultimate geek,Bill Haverchuck(Martin Starr).[5]She then briefly attended college atFlorida State Universitywhere she was a member of theDelta Delta Deltasorority,[7][8]but later quit school to pursue acting full-time, moving to Los Angeles, California.
García went on to portray the character ofCheyenne Hart-Montgomery,Reba's (Reba McEntire) oldest daughter onThe WB/CWsitcomReba(2001–07). She was featured on the short-livedCBScomedyWelcome to the Captain.Beginning in the fall of 2008, she starred as Megan Smith in the CW seriesPrivileged(originally known asHow to Survive the Filthy Rich). On the big screen, García was seen in the comedy spoofNot Another Teen Movie.[5]She has also appeared in the original television filmsFrom the Earth to the Moon(1998) andLove's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder(1997). She also appeared in theABC Familytelevision filmThe Initiation of Sarah,which premiered in October 2006. In 2008, she had a role inA Very Merry Daughter of the Bride,playing Roxanne. She had a leading role in theABC Familytelevision filmRevenge of the BridesmaidsalongsideRaven-Symoné.
In 2009, García had a recurring role on The CW dramaGossip Girlplaying the role ofBree Buckley,an irreverent evilMiss America-type who is politically progressive but from a conservative Southern family. She appeared in four episodes in season three.[9]In December 2009, she guest starred as Maggie,Ted Mosby's college buddy onHow I Met Your Mother.
García starred in the ABC sitcomBetter with You.The show centers on two sisters who were at different points in their romantic relationships: one was unmarried and in a long-term relationship, and the other (García) got married after getting pregnant from aone-night stand.[10]It was canceled on May 13, 2011.[11]
Garcia guest-starred onThe Penguins of Madagascarin the episode "The Officer X Factor/Love Hurts", which aired on February 12, 2011. In 2012, Garcia appeared in four episodes of theUSA NetworkdramedyRoyal Painsas anephrologisttreating Jack O'Malley (Tom Cavanagh).[12]In 2013, during season three of the seriesOnce Upon a Timeshe began playing the recurring role of Ariel fromThe Little Mermaid.
Business ventures
editOn May 9, 2022, she launched ahome decorcollection titled "Clover by Jo" forHSN.[13]The line includes bedding, pillows, mirrors, lamps, lanterns and planters.[14][15]
During her career, she has graced the covers of numerous magazines such asLatina,Miami Living[16]andSouthern Living's first-ever digital issue,The Dream HomesIssue.[17]In 2004, she appeared in apromotional campaignand television commercial for retailerKmart.[18][19]In October 2023, Garcia Swisher teamed up withMcCormickforback-to-schoolsocial media ads and events.[20]
Personal life
editIn 2008, García became engaged to Trace Ayala, the personal assistant and childhood friend ofJustin Timberlakewho co-founded the clothing companyWilliam Rast.[21]
In August 2009,Peoplemagazinereported that García was dating baseball playerNick Swisher.[22]They became engaged in May 2010,[23]and married on December 11, 2010, at the Breakers Hotel & Resort inPalm Beach, Florida.[24]Bridesmaidsfor García included friends and fellow actressesJamie-Lynn Sigler,Melissa Peterman,andReba McEntire.[25]Since her marriage, she has been credited as Joanna García Swisher.[12]They have two daughters, one born in 2013[26][27]and the other in 2016.[28]
Causes and interests
editGarcía volunteers as a teacher for children who are learningEnglish as a second language.She is involved with the organization Make the Commitment, whose purpose is to raise awareness aboutcervical cancer.[29][30][31]She has an organization called We Reach,[6]a charity which has assembled an advisory board in the entertainment industry to help young girls around the country organize charity events in their hometowns. The charity also has the goal of empowering young women.
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1997 | Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder | Susie |
1999 | Holy Joe | Joyce Cass |
2001 | American Pie 2 | Christy |
Not Another Teen Movie | Sandy Sue | |
2006 | Then Initiation of Sarah | Corinne |
A-List | Naomi | |
2008 | A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride | Roxanne |
Extreme Movie | Sweetie Pie | |
2010 | Revenge of the Bridesmaids | Parker Wald |
2013 | The Internship | Megan |
2017 | Fist Fight | Maggie Campbell |
2022 | Christmas with the Campbells | Becky |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Superboy | Girl | Episode: "Obituary for a Superhero" |
Clarissa Explains It All | Fiona | Episode: "Take My Advice... Please" | |
1994–1996 | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Sam | Main role |
1994 | seaQuest DSV | Iris | Episode: "Playtime" |
1996 | Step by Step | Chelsea | Episode: "We're Going to Disney World: Part 1" |
1996 & 1997 | Second Noah | Katherine Ortega | 3 episodes |
1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | Julie Shepard | Miniseries; episode: "For Miles and Miles" |
Party of Five | Hallie | 5 episodes | |
Any Day Now | Martha Montgomery | Episode: "It's Who You Sleep With" | |
1999 | Dawson's Creek | Girl #1 – Tracy | Episode: "Be Careful What You Wish For" |
Pacific Blue | Leah Chandler | Episode: "Lucky 13" | |
Providence | Gillian | Episode: "Heaven Can Wait" | |
CI5: The New Professionals | Cadet Susan | Episode: "Glory Days" | |
2000 | Freaks and Geeks | Vicki Appleby | 5 episodes |
Opposite Sex | Cassie Schreiber | Episode: "The Homosexual Episode" | |
Freedom | Sally Mueller | Episode: "Assassins" | |
Boston Public | Susan Potter | Episode: "Chapter Four" | |
2001 | Go Fish | Amanda | Episode: "Go P.D.A." |
Going to California | Jennifer | Episode: "I Know Why the Caged Rhino Sings" | |
2001–2007 | Reba | Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery | Main role |
2001 | Off Centre | Ramona | Episode: "Let's Meet Mike and Euan" |
2004 | What I Like About You | Fiona | Episode: "Three Little Words" |
2005 | Family Guy | LaDawn | Voice, episode: "8 Simple Rules for Buying My Teenage Daughter" |
2008 | Welcome to the Captain | Hope | Main role |
2008–2009 | Privileged | Megan Smith | Main role |
2009 | Gossip Girl | Bree Buckley | 4 episodes |
How I Met Your Mother | Maggie | Episode: "The Window" | |
2010–2011 | Better with You | Mia Putney | Main role |
2011 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Shauna | Voice, episode: "Love Hurts" |
2012 | Royal Pains | Nina Greene | 4 episodes |
Animal Practice | Dorothy Crane | Main role; 9 episodes | |
2013–2015,
2017–2018 |
Once Upon a Time | Ariel | Recurring role (7 episodes) |
2014 | The Mindy Project | Sally Prentice | 3 episodes |
2015 | The Astronaut Wives Club | Betty Grissom | Main role; 10 episodes |
Grandfathered | Sloan | Episode: "Edie's Two Dads" | |
2016 | Pitch | Rachel Patrick | 3 episodes |
2017–2018 | Kevin (Probably) Saves the World | Amy Cabrera | Main role; 16 episodes |
2020–present | Sweet Magnolias | Maddie Townsend | Main role; 30 episodes |
2021 | As Luck Would Have It | Lindsey Johnson | Television film (Hallmark Channel) |
2023 | The Ultimatum: Queer Love | Host | 6 episodes |
Music video
editYear | Title | Artist(s) | Role |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | "Every Other Weekend" | Reba McEntirefeat.Kenny Chesney | Female lead |
Accolades
editYear | Association | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress – Comedy | Reba | Nominated |
2009 | ALMA Awards | Actress in Television – Comedy | Privileged |
References
edit- ^"JoAnna Garcia".Us Weekly.RetrievedMay 7,2016.
- ^"As Luck Would Have It".Hallmark Channel.Hallmark.RetrievedJuly 15,2021.
- ^"Jay Garcia Obituary - Tampa, FL".
- ^Welcome to the World of JoAnna Garcia.peopleenespanol
- ^abcdDeggans, Eric."'Reba' has a touch of Tampa",St. Petersburg Times,February 1, 2002.
- ^abJoanna GarcíaArchivedJanuary 5, 2013, atarchive.todayat superiorpics
- ^"JoAnna Garcia Archives".Us Weekly.RetrievedApril 12,2021.
- ^Mason, Aiden (June 4, 2018)."10 Things You Didn't Know About Joanna Garcia".TVOvermind.RetrievedApril 12,2021.
- ^Ausiello, Michael (June 25, 2009)."'Gossip Girl' scoop: JoAnna Garcia is Nate's new GF! ".entertainmentweekly. Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2009.RetrievedJune 25,2009.
- ^DiNunno, Gina (January 25, 2010)."Privileged's JoAnna Garcia Tapped for ABC Comedy".TVGuide.
- ^‘Better With You’ Cancelled By ABC – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers.Tvbythenumbers.zap2it (May 13, 2011). Retrieved on December 28, 2012.
- ^abMitovich, Matt Webb (September 7, 2011).Exclusive: JoAnna Garcia Scrubs In As MysteriousRoyal PainsDocArchivedOctober 2, 2022, at theWayback Machine.tvline
- ^"'Sweet Magnolias' Star JoAnna Garcia Swisher Just Launched a Chic Home Line for HSN ".Good Housekeeping.May 9, 2022.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"You Can Shop Maddie Townsend's Home with this HSN x JoAnna Garcia Swisher Line".Country Living.May 9, 2022.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"Shop".Clover by jo.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"Miami Living Magazine - JoAnna Garcia Swisher".digital.miamilivingmagazine.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^""Sweet Magnolias" Star JoAnna Garcia Swisher Shares Her Georgia Lake House Packed with Reclaimed Wood and Vintage Touches ".Apartment Therapy.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"JoAnna Garcia Swisher - Other works".IMDb.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"WB Actors to Wear Kmart Fashions".Wall Street Journal.May 20, 2004.ISSN0099-9660.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"McCormick® and JoAnna Garcia Swisher Are Teaming Up to Host 'After School Tac'over' Events with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America".prnewswire(Press release).RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^"JoAnna Garcia of Reba & Trace Ayala Get Engaged".People.June 18, 2008.
- ^Marx, Linda (August 12, 2009)."Is Kate Hudson A-Rod's Good Luck Charm?"ArchivedJanuary 8, 2011, at theWayback Machine,People
- ^"Privileged's Joanna Garcia and Yankee Nick Swisher Are Engaged".People.May 28, 2010.RetrievedDecember 12,2010.
- ^"Joanna Garcia and Nick Swisher Wed in Palm Beach".People.December 11, 2010.RetrievedDecember 12,2010.
- ^"Joanna Garcia marries New York Yankees fiance Nick Swisher in Palm Beach ceremony".New York Daily News.December 12, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon December 7, 2011.RetrievedApril 14,2011.
- ^Messer, Lesley."JoAnna Garcia and Nick Swisher Welcome Baby Girl".ABC.RetrievedMay 22,2013.
- ^"Nick and JoAnna Garcia Swisher Welcome Daughter Emerson Jay".People. Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2016.RetrievedMay 23,2013.
- ^JoAnna Garcia [@JoAnnaLGarcia] (July 1, 2016)."So excited to introduce you to our tiniest princess, Sailor Stevie. She has stolen our hearts…"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to ChicagoArchivedFebruary 27, 2008, at theWayback Machine,MakeTheConnection.org, 2005.
- ^TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to MiamiArchivedFebruary 27, 2008, at theWayback Machine,MakeTheConnection.org, 2005.
- ^Rybak, Hollie (October 4, 2005).Actress spreads awareness of cervical cancer at U. South Florida-area event.The Oracle.usforacle