Jennifer Garner’s first starring role in a TV series, as a butt-kicking spy on 2001’s “Alias,” made her an international star and launched a movie career that includes “13 Going on 30” and “Electra.” And Sheryl Lee Ralph has spent decades building a formidable list of acting credits on TV — from the ’80s soap “Search for Tomorrow” to “Moesha” — but she’s finally getting her due as the motherly teacher Barbara Howard in “Abbott Elementary.” Garner, whose family members count themselves “Abbott” fans, recently returned to the small screen as a stepmother, Hannah, dealing with the disappearance of her husband in Apple TV+’s “The Last Thing He Told Me.” Days after Garner’s birthday, the two discuss their favorite topics: motherhood, generous co-stars and dessert. SHERYL LEE RALPH: Happy birthday.
Did you have cake? JENNIFER GARNER: Of course I did. RALPH: Did you have ice cream? GARNER: I did. RALPH: Did you celebrate with your kids? GARNER: I had cake, ice cream — and kids many times over. RALPH: We have so many things in common.
With all the celebrity and all of that, I feel like I have a very normal life, and I think you have that similar sort of vibe.
And we love our kids. GARNER: And all the mess of parenting. It’s a gift. RALPH: And both of us having gone through divorce.
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