JoAnna Garcia Swisher explained

JoAnna García
Birth Date:1979 8, mf=yes
Birth Place:Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Other Names:JoAnna García Swisher
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1992–present
Children:2

JoAnna García Swisher (born August 10, 1979)[1] is an American actress and businesswoman. She is known for her roles as Sam in Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994–96), Vicki Appleby in Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), and Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–07). She has also gained popularity with her acting roles in Privileged (2008–09), Better with You (2010–11), Animal Practice (2012), Once Upon a Time (2013–18), The Astronaut Wives Club (2015), Fist Fight (2017) and Sweet Magnolias (2020–present). García also stars as Lindsey Johnson in Hallmark Channel's As Luck Would Have It (2021).[2] She hosted on Netflix in 2023.

Early life

García was born in Tampa, Florida, to Loraine, a homemaker and former elementary school teacher of Spanish descent, and Jay García (1945–2019),[3] a gynecologist from Cuba.[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.

Disney Channel discovered her, but her parents put school first and she acted in local plays to keep up with her passion. She was the homecoming queen[6] at Florida's Tampa Catholic High School.

Career

While in Florida, García guest starred in seaQuest DSV, Second Noah, and Superboy and several films of the week. While attending high school, she was re-discovered by Nickelodeon and starred for three seasons as Samantha on Are 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 drama Party of Five, playing the recurring character Hallie. She had a recurring role on Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000) portraying the character of Vicki Appleby, the popular freshman cheerleader who spent seven minutes in heaven with the ultimate geek, Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr). She then briefly attended college at Florida State University where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority,[7] [8] but later quit school to pursue acting full-time, moving to Los Angeles, California.

García went on to portray the character of Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, Reba's (Reba McEntire) oldest daughter on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–07). She was featured on the short-lived CBS comedy Welcome to the Captain. Beginning in the fall of 2008, she starred as Megan Smith in the CW series Privileged (originally known as How to Survive the Filthy Rich). On the big screen, García was seen in the comedy spoof Not Another Teen Movie.[5] She has also appeared in the original television films From the Earth to the Moon (1998) and Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder (1997). She also appeared in the ABC Family television film The Initiation of Sarah, which premiered in October 2006. In 2008, she had a role in A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride, playing Roxanne. She had a leading role in the ABC Family television film Revenge of the Bridesmaids.

In 2009, García had a recurring role on The CW drama Gossip Girl playing the role of Bree Buckley, an irreverent evil Miss 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 on How I Met Your Mother.

García starred in the ABC sitcom Better 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 a one-night stand.[10] It was canceled on May 13, 2011.[11]

Garcia guest-starred on The Penguins of Madagascar in the episode "The Officer X Factor/Love Hurts", which aired on February 12, 2011. In 2012, Garcia appeared in four episodes of the USA Network dramedy Royal Pains as a nephrologist treating Jack O'Malley (Tom Cavanagh).[12] In 2013, during season three of the series Once Upon a Time she began playing the recurring role of the Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

Business ventures

On May 9, 2022, she launched a home decor collection titled "Clover by Jo" for HSN.[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 as Latina, Miami Living[16] and Southern Livings first-ever digital issue, The Dream Homes Issue.[17] In 2004, she appeared in a promotional campaign and television commercial for retailer Kmart.[18] [19] In October 2023, Garcia Swisher teamed up with McCormick for back-to-school social media ads and events.[20]

Personal life

In 2008, García became engaged to Trace Ayala, the personal assistant and childhood friend of Justin Timberlake who co-founded the clothing company William Rast.[21]

In August 2009, People magazine reported that García was dating baseball player Nick Swisher.[22] They became engaged in May 2010,[23] and married on December 11, 2010, at the Breakers Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.[24] Bridesmaids for García included friends and fellow actresses Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Melissa Peterman, and Reba 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

García volunteers as a teacher for children who are learning English as a second language. She is involved with the organization Make the Commitment, whose purpose is to raise awareness about cervical 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

Film

YearTitleRole
1997Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet MurderSusie
1999Holy JoeJoyce Cass
2001American Pie 2Christy
Not Another Teen MovieSandy Sue
2006Then Initiation of SarahCorinne
A-ListNaomi
2008A Very Merry Daughter of the BrideRoxanne
Extreme MovieSweetie Pie
2010Revenge of the BridesmaidsParker Wald
2013The InternshipMegan
2017Fist FightMaggie Campbell
2022Christmas with the CampbellsBecky

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992SuperboyGirlEpisode: "Obituary for a Superhero"
Clarissa Explains It AllFionaEpisode: "Take My Advice... Please"
1994–1996Are You Afraid of the Dark?SamMain role
1994seaQuest DSVIrisEpisode: "Playtime"
1996Step by StepChelseaEpisode: "We're Going to Disney World: Part 1"
1996 & 1997Second NoahKatherine Ortega3 episodes
1998From the Earth to the MoonJulie ShepardMiniseries; episode: "For Miles and Miles"
Party of FiveHallie5 episodes
Any Day NowMartha MontgomeryEpisode: "It's Who You Sleep With"
1999Dawson's CreekGirl #1 – TracyEpisode: "Be Careful What You Wish For"
Pacific BlueLeah ChandlerEpisode: "Lucky 13"
ProvidenceGillianEpisode: "Heaven Can Wait"
Cadet SusanEpisode: "Glory Days"
2000Freaks and GeeksVicki Appleby5 episodes
Opposite SexCassie SchreiberEpisode: "The Homosexual Episode"
FreedomSally MuellerEpisode: "Assassins"
Boston PublicSusan PotterEpisode: "Chapter Four"
2001Go FishAmandaEpisode: "Go P.D.A."
Going to CaliforniaJenniferEpisode: "I Know Why the Caged Rhino Sings"
2001–2007RebaCheyenne Hart-MontgomeryMain role
2001Off CentreRamonaEpisode: "Let's Meet Mike and Euan"
2004What I Like About YouFionaEpisode: "Three Little Words"
2005Family GuyLaDawnVoice, episode: "8 Simple Rules for Buying My Teenage Daughter"
2008Welcome to the CaptainHopeMain role
2008–2009PrivilegedMegan SmithMain role
2009Gossip GirlBree Buckley4 episodes
How I Met Your MotherMaggieEpisode: "The Window"
2010–2011Better with YouMia PutneyMain role
2011The Penguins of MadagascarShaunaVoice, episode: "Love Hurts"
2012Royal PainsNina Greene4 episodes
Animal PracticeDorothy CraneMain role
2013–2015 & 2017–2018Once Upon a TimeArielRecurring role (7 episodes)
2014The Mindy ProjectSally Prentice3 episodes
2015The Astronaut Wives ClubBetty GrissomMain role
GrandfatheredSloanEpisode: "Edie's Two Dads"
2016PitchRachel Patrick3 episodes
2017–2018Kevin (Probably) Saves the WorldAmyMain role
2020–presentSweet MagnoliasMaddie TownsendMain role
2021As Luck Would Have It Lindsey JohnsonTelevision film (Hallmark Channel)
2022Host

Accolades

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2005Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Actress – ComedyRebarowspan=2
2009ALMA AwardsActress in Television – ComedyPrivileged

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JoAnna Garcia. Us Weekly. May 7, 2016.
  2. Web site: As Luck Would Have It . Hallmark Channel . Hallmark . 15 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Jay Garcia Obituary - Tampa, FL .
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20081211172340/http://www.peopleenespanol.com/pespanol/en/articles/0%2C22490%2C1717409%2C00.html Welcome to the World of JoAnna Garcia
  5. Deggans, Eric. "'Reba' has a touch of Tampa", St. Petersburg Times, February 1, 2002.
  6. http://www.superiorpics.com/joanna_garcia/ Joanna García
  7. Web site: JoAnna Garcia Archives. 2021-04-12. Us Weekly. en-US.
  8. Web site: Mason. Aiden. 2018-06-04. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Joanna Garcia. 2021-04-12. TVOvermind. en-US.
  9. Web site: 'Gossip Girl' scoop: JoAnna Garcia is Nate's new GF! . Ausiello . Michael . June 25, 2009 . entertainmentweekly . June 25, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090629050007/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/joanna-garcia-joins-gossip-girl.html . June 29, 2009 .
  10. Web site: Privileged's JoAnna Garcia Tapped for ABC Comedy. January 25, 2010. DiNunno, Gina . TVGuide.com.
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20110516140314/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/13/better-with-you-cancelled-by-abc/92569/ ‘Better With You’ Cancelled By ABC – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers
  12. Mitovich, Matt Webb (September 7, 2011). Exclusive: JoAnna Garcia Scrubs In As Mysterious Royal Pains Doc. tvline.com
  13. Web site: 2022-05-09 . 'Sweet Magnolias' Star JoAnna Garcia Swisher Just Launched a Chic Home Line for HSN . 2023-12-27 . Good Housekeeping . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2022-05-09 . You Can Shop Maddie Townsend's Home with this HSN x JoAnna Garcia Swisher Line . 2023-12-27 . Country Living . en-US.
  15. Web site: Shop . 2023-12-27 . Clover by jo . en-US.
  16. Web site: Miami Living Magazine - JoAnna Garcia Swisher . 2023-12-27 . digital.miamilivingmagazine.com.
  17. Web site: "Sweet Magnolias" Star JoAnna Garcia Swisher Shares Her Georgia Lake House Packed with Reclaimed Wood and Vintage Touches . 2023-12-27 . Apartment Therapy . en.
  18. Web site: JoAnna Garcia Swisher - Other works . 2023-12-27 . IMDb . en-US.
  19. News: 2004-05-20 . WB Actors to Wear Kmart Fashions . en-US . Wall Street Journal . 2023-12-27 . 0099-9660.
  20. McCormick® and JoAnna Garcia Swisher Are Teaming Up to Host 'After School Tac'over' Events with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America . 2023-12-27 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
  21. Web site: JoAnna Garcia of Reba & Trace Ayala Get Engaged. June 18, 2008. People.
  22. Marx, Linda (August 12, 2009). "Is Kate Hudson A-Rod's Good Luck Charm?", People
  23. Web site: Privileged's Joanna Garcia and Yankee Nick Swisher Are Engaged . People . May 28, 2010 . December 12, 2010.
  24. Web site: Joanna Garcia and Nick Swisher Wed in Palm Beach . People . December 11, 2010 . December 12, 2010.
  25. Web site: Joanna Garcia marries New York Yankees fiance Nick Swisher in Palm Beach ceremony . New York Daily News. December 12, 2010. April 14, 2011.
  26. Web site: Messer. Lesley. JoAnna Garcia and Nick Swisher Welcome Baby Girl. ABC. May 22, 2013.
  27. Web site: Nick and JoAnna Garcia Swisher Welcome Daughter Emerson Jay. People. May 23, 2013. June 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160630152303/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2013/05/22/joanna-garcia-nick-swisher-welcome-daughter-emerson-jay/. dead.
  28. JoAnnaLGarcia. JoAnna Garcia. 748948217614786561. July 1, 2016. So excited to introduce you to our tiniest princess, Sailor Stevie. She has stolen our hearts….
  29. http://www.maketheconnection.org/docs/press_chicago_20051118.pdf TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to Chicago
  30. http://www.maketheconnection.org/docs/press_miami_20051202.pdf TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to Miami
  31. Rybak, Hollie (October 4, 2005). Actress spreads awareness of cervical cancer at U. South Florida-area event. The Oracle. usforacle.com