Jennifer Garner’s Unexpected Incident on Set
Jennifer Garner recently opened up about a surprising moment from her acting career—she once accidentally bit off a part of a co-star’s ear during a fight scene.
While attending a panel discussion for the second season of her Apple TV show “The Last Thing He Told Me,” Garner shared the story about an incident with Sarah Baker while filming the 2007 movie “Kingdom.” The actress looked back on their past and described how they had to face each other again for a fight scene in her current show.
Garner recounted, “I would say the last time I fought a performer monkey was on ‘Kingdom.’ Pete Berg, our director, told him to go all out. We didn’t have much choreography, just do whatever it took to survive. I ended up scrambling onto his back and, well, I bit his ear.” She even mentioned having a photo to mark the occasion, showing him missing a chunk of his ear—definitely not a joke.
The film, “The Kingdom,” revolves around an FBI team that travels to Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist attack. Garner played a forensic expert named Janet Mays, and Baker portrayed a kidnapper in the film alongside stars like Jamie Foxx and Jason Bateman.
When Garner and Baker reunited for “The Last Thing He Told Me,” the intensity of their scenes remained high. Garner humorously recalled telling the crew, “Can you please take care of her?” She was ready to settle some old scores, despite being aware of the need for safety.
The Last Thing He Told Me, based on a popular novel by Laura Dave, explores the mystery surrounding a husband’s sudden disappearance, leaving behind a cryptic note. In this thriller, Garner stars as Hannah Hall, who, along with her daughter Bailey, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her husband’s fate.
During the panel, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays her husband in the show, expressed disbelief at Garner’s tale. “Wait, you actually bit off part of his ear?” he asked, clearly taken aback. Garner joked that the incident was reminiscent of Mike Tyson’s infamous ear-biting moment during a boxing match—instead of a compliment to her skills, perhaps more of a cautionary tale.
Coster-Waldau playfully questioned the audience’s reaction to Garner’s story, noting their apparent enthusiasm for what could have been a serious injury. To this, Garner lightheartedly responded, “Please don’t make me angry. I’m being nice here.” She concluded her story with warmth, adding, “Oh my god, no, I love you.”
Later, the actress, who is also an executive producer for “The Last Thing He Told Me,” hinted at what fans can expect in the upcoming season, teasing that it will pick up right after a dramatic conclusion.
Garner wrapped up by discussing themes in the show, which reflect the audience’s desire for compelling narratives where characters confront challenges with competence and determination. “Hannah will embody that for me,” she stated, emphasizing how her character’s actions will be crucial in the unfolding story.
