Julia Garner was an American actress who rose to prominence through her work in independent films and early 2000s prestige television, eventually becoming a surprise fashion icon along the way. Born on February 1, 1994, in The Bronx, New York, Julia came from a deeply artistic background—her mother, Tami Gingold, had been a well-known Israeli comedian before transitioning into a career as a therapist, and her father, Thomas Garner, was both a painter and an art teacher. Her older sister, Anna, also pursued the arts, working as an artist and writer.
As a teenager, Julia started taking acting classes at the age of 15, mainly as a way to combat her shyness. It wasn’t long before she began appearing in student short films at Columbia University. That early experience helped open doors, leading to her first major film role—a supporting part in the psychological thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011), which followed a woman fleeing from a dangerous cult.
The following year, Julia Garner appeared in three notable films. She took on her first lead role in the dreamy, allegorical religious drama Electrick Children (2012). She also had supporting roles in the beloved YA adaptation The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and the coming-of-age story Not Fade Away (2012), set against the backdrop of 1960s garage rock. Interestingly, her character in the latter was written specifically for her by David Chase, the acclaimed creator of The Sopranos (HBO, 1999–2006).
2013 marked a shift toward darker material for Julia Garner, as she starred in two chilling horror films: We Are What We Are (2013), a remake of a Mexican horror film centered around a cannibalistic family, and The Last Exorcism Part II (2013), a sequel with a somewhat contradictory title. After that, she co-starred with Lily Tomlin in the indie darling Grandma (2015), a small but impactful role that further raised her profile.
From there, Julia Garner transitioned into television, where she quickly made her mark. She joined the third season of the critically acclaimed spy drama The Americans (FX, 2013–2018) in a recurring role. Around the same time, she made brief appearances in the final season of Lena Dunham’s polarizing series Girls (HBO, 2012–2017) and the first season of Baz Luhrmann’s vibrant, 1970s-set musical drama The Get Down (Netflix, 2016–2017).
But it was her role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix crime drama Ozark (2017–) that truly catapulted Julia Garner into the spotlight. Starring alongside Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, Julia brought depth and intensity to the character of a sharp, ambitious young woman caught up in the criminal underworld. This performance not only earned widespread acclaim but solidified Julia Garner as one of the most compelling actresses of her generation.
When it comes to Julia Garner’s film career, fans and critics alike have noticed a clear standout in her body of work. Julia Garner’s highest rated project to date is the upcoming film Weapons (2025), which has been receiving strong early praise and anticipation. The movie showcases Julia Garner in a compelling role that highlights her range and depth as an actress. On the other end of the spectrum, Julia Garner appeared in The Last Exorcism Part II (2013), a film that received generally mixed to negative reviews, making it her lowest rated release so far. While Julia Garner delivered a solid performance, the overall reception of the movie didn’t resonate well with audiences or critics. Still, Julia Garner has continued to grow as a talent, proving her versatility across genres and cementing her place in modern cinema.