Born with a passion for music and trained in tap dancing, at the age of nine, she joined Texas Show Team, an L.A. Gear troupe. From there, she became a "Texas Our Little Miss Talent Winner" where she was discovered by a talent scout.
Jennifer Love Hewitt's journey into acting began at the age of 10, after moving to Los Angeles with her mother. Hewitt first appeared in over twenty television commercials before she got her first big break as an actress.
At just 10 years old, she joined the Disney Channel show Kids Incorporated. This gave her a chance to perform as a singer and dancer, showing off her amazing talent.
Jennifer Love Hewitt attended Lincoln High School, where she met classmate Jonathan Neville, who would go on to become a talent scout, eventually recommending her for a role in the series Party of Five.
Her first feature film role was in an indie film called Munchie, in which she played a supporting role as a love interest for a bullied boy.
Just a year later, she landed her first starring role in a film called Little Miss Millions about a rich little girl who runs away from home, away from her wicked stepmother, in search of her real mother.
In 1994, the young actress starred in the TV show McKenna for one season. She played Cassidy McKenna, the daughter of a family living in the mountains. Though short-lived, this role showed off her charm and growing acting skills.
Prior to her role in McKenna, she was featured in two other short-lived series, Shaky Ground (1992–1993) and The Byrds of Paradise.
Mid to late ‘90s is when Hewitt’s acting career really started to take off. In 1995, she joined the cast of the Fox teen drama Party of Five as Sarah Reeves. This role that made her a household name.
Around the same time, Hewitt started expanding her career beyond TV. She landed more roles in movies, showcasing her acting range and preparing for even bigger success. 1996 marked a time when her talents were truly taking the spotlight.
Hewitt became a breakout star with her role as Julie James in the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer. The movie's gripping plot and her strong performance made it a box-office hit, earning over $125 million worldwide.
The 1998 sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, brought Jennifer back as Julie, facing more terrifying challenges. Her role solidified her status as a leading actress in horror films, boosting her career and securing her place in pop culture.
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Joey Lawrence were both major stars in the 1990s. Lawrence gained fame as part of the hit show Blossom, where he played Joey, the lovable but ditzy older brother to Mayim Bialik's character, from 1990 to 1995.
According to Us Weekly, Love Hewitt shared, "Friends said we'd be perfect for each other," hinting that mutual pals may have orchestrated their relationship. As for their breakup, the exact reasons remain unclear, but Love Hewitt did note, "business got in the way," implying that their careers may have played a role in their split.
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Will Friedle had a brief romance in the 1990s after being introduced by a mutual friend. Though their relationship was short-lived, it was a memorable pairing of two rising stars of the decade, with Hewitt making waves in films and TV while Friedle charmed audiences as Eric Matthews on Boy Meets World.
Interestingly, Hewitt made a cameo appearance on Boy Meets World after their breakup which made filming awkward for Will Friedle and the other cast and crew.
Jennifer Love Hewitt's dating history in the late 1990s included many other high-profile relationships. She dated Party of Five co-star Scott Wolf and later had a public romance with singer Ricky Martin. Her connections often gathered media attention.
From the 2000s to the early 2010s, Jennifer dated several celebrities like actor Jamie Kennedy (pictured) and comedian Ross McCall, whom she was briefly engaged to. Her love life remained a topic of interest as she navigated fame and relationships.
In 1998, Hewitt appeared in the teen comedy "Can't Hardly Wait," starring as Amanda Beckett, the most popular girl in school and senior prom queen, a seemingly fitting role for Hollywood's newest "It" girl.
But while the character was not written to be likable, Jennifer Love Hewitt's captivating personality and charm made it impossible to hate her.
After starring in another teen comedy in 1998 called Telling You, in 1999, she took on the role of a record company executive in the indie comedy The Suburbans. Unfortunately, the film failed to connect with both audiences and critics, making it a box office failure.
Not long after, Jennifer Love Hewitt attempted to revive an old role. She both starred in and produced Time of Your Life, a Party of Five spin-off that followed her character's journey to New York City as she searched for answers about her biological parents.
Jennifer Love Hewitt has made numerous talk show appearances, and appeared in hundreds of publications throughout her career, spanning over three decades in Hollywood. Thanks to her stunning beauty and unique charm, she's never failed to enchant audiences off-screen just as much as on-screen.
Whether sharing behind-the-scenes stories, discussing her personal life, or participating in fun segments, Hewitt’s talk show moments have helped her maintain a connection with the public, solidifying her status as a beloved figure in entertainment.
Jennifer Love Hewitt has taken part in a wide variety of charitable causes and fundraising activities. Having collaborated with organizations like Choose Love, Baby2Baby, and Mikey's Way Foundation, she's helped raise money for families in need, whether cancer patients, refugees, or victims of the Los Angeles fires, among many other causes.
Her involvement often goes beyond financial contributions, as she actively raises awareness and encourages others to join in supporting these important causes. In addition to her work with established organizations, Hewitt has also participated in events and campaigns aimed at improving the lives of everyone.
One such charitable cause was the Los Angeles Mission's 75th Anniversary celebration Thanksgiving, in which she joined dozens of other celebrities in serving traditional Thanksgiving meals to the homeless.
The annual event, according to Los Angeles Mission serves "3,000 pounds of turkey, 700 pounds of mashed potatoes, 800 pounds of green beans and 600 pies" each year. On top of that, they provide items like blankets and tarps for those in need.
In the 2000s, Hewitt couldn’t be put into a box with her acting roles. She starred in movies like Heartbreakers and The Tuxedo, showcasing her comedic and action skills. She also played Audrey Hepburn in a TV biopic, earning praise for her performance.
She became widely loved for her role in the TV series Ghost Whisperer, where she helped spirits cross over. At this time, she was also pursuing her music career, releasing numerous albums.
Movies, music, and tv weren’t enough for Hewitt. She wanted to get into the literary world. So in 2010, she wrote a book titled The Day I Shot Cupid. The book shared dating advice and personal experiences, blending humor and honesty.
The book was aimed at helping readers navigate love and relationships. It received mixed reviews, but fans appreciated how relatable she was. She proved she could connect with audiences not just on-screen but also through her writing.
As any good actor or actress does, Hewitt played a small part in a Law and Order: Special Victims Unit episode in 2010. Between 2011 and 2013, she also starred in the TV series The Client List.
Her role as Riley, a single mom working at a spa with hidden secrets, earned her critical praise and a loyal fan following.Little did she know the show would lead her to the love of her life.
Hewitt and The Client List co-star Brian Hallisay fell and love on set and got engaged in 2013. They got married in a private ceremony the same year, right before the birth of their first child.
The couple now has three children. They welcomed their first daughter, Autumn, in 2013, followed by their son, Atticus, in 2015. Their third child, Aidan, joined the family in 2021, bringing even more joy to their lives.
By 2018, Hewitt was ready to return to work. She joined the cast of 9-1-1 that year, playing Maddie, a 911 operator with a difficult past. Her compassionate yet strong portrayal added depth to the show.
Hewitt’s real life husband even played her ex in the show, adding a fun layer to some pretty serious subject matter. 9-1-1 is still going strong with its season 9 coming soon.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is making waves in 2025 by reprising her iconic role as Julie James in a new I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel. This revival brings her full circle, exciting loyal fans of the classic horror series.
Outside of the sequel, she is focusing on her role as a producer, bringing fresh stories to the screen. She continues to dedicate time to her family while exploring creative projects that showcase her versatility both in front of and behind the camera.
