JENNIFER GARNER | $80 MILLION

Before Jennifer Garner became a huge star, she was a student at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. She graduated with a degree in Fine Arts in Theater in 1994 and moved to New York City to pursue acting. Her first role was to serve as an understudy for the Roundabout Theater Company. At around the same time, she also made her first screen appearance when she landed a minor part in the drama miniseries Zoya. This led to her getting more minor roles in TV and films.

2001 marked a turning point in Garner’s career when she appeared in ABC’s Alias as Sydney Bristow. J.J. Abrams, the creator of the show, wrote the part with her in mind. Alias ran for five seasons, with Garner’s pay steadily rising to $150,000 per episode at the conclusion of the series. The show was a hit for both viewers and critics, and Garner won numerous awards and nominations for her work.