Joanna Garcia Swisher
About
Biography
Biography
Engaging actress JoAnna García's talent for both straight drama and broad comedy allowed her transition successfully from juvenile roles to adult characters in primetime series like "Reba" (The CW, 2001- 07) and "Better With You" (ABC, 2010-11). She began her career in her teenaged years, commuting from her native Florida to Montreal to film the Nickelodeon/YTV series "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" (1990-1996). García soon graduated to guest shots on network television, which led to her long-running stint as Reba McEntire's pregnant daughter on the country star's well-loved sitcom. However, her attempts to land a follow-up series with the same degree of longevity as "Reba" were largely met with failure, as "Welcome to the Captain" (CBS, 2008), "Privileged" (CW, 2008-09), "Better With You" and "Animal Practice" (NBC, 2012) were all short-lived. García kept busy as a supporting player on television and features like "The Internship" (2013) while juggling philanthropic interests and motherhood. Throughout it all, García retained her footing in the entertainment industry as a bright and versatile talent.
Born JoAnna Lynne García in Tampa, Florida, she fell in love with acting after landing the lead in a local theater production at the age of 10, and nearly went professional soon after when representatives from the Disney Channel discovered her. However, her parents insisted that she complete high school before pursuing her ultimate goal. A second chance at stardom came with the popular anthology series "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" Guest appearances on series like "seaQuest DSV" (NBC, 1993-96) and "The Adventures of Superboy" (syndicated, 1988-92) continued through her high school graduation and brief tenure at Florida State University. García eventually left college to relocate to Los Angeles, where she landed recurring roles on "Party of Five" (1994-2000) and "Freaks and Geeks" (NBC, 1999-2000). In 2001, she was cast as Reba McEntire's ditzy but kind-hearted eldest daughter, who became pregnant in her senior year of high school, on the popular "Reba."
After "Reba" drew to a close in 2007, García transitioned to the short-lived "Welcome to the Captain" and "Privileged." Her longtime relationship with Trace Ayala, who co-founded the William Rast clothing line with pop singer/actor Justin Timberlake, also foundered after they became engaged in 2008. García enjoyed guest roles on "Gossip Girl" (The CW, 2007-12) before returning to regular series work with the sitcom "Better With You" as a young woman who announced her engagement to a man she has only known for seven weeks. Though well regarded by critics, the series also lasted a single season. During this period, she married Cleveland Indians first baseman Nick Swisher in 2010, and changed her professional surname to García Swisher. Appearances on "Royal Pains" (USA Network, 2009-16) led to another a comedy series, "Animal Practice," which was panned by critics before its swift cancellation in 2012. The following year, García gave birth to a daughter, Emerson Jay Swisher, while also enjoying a rare big screen outing as Vince Vaughn's girlfriend in "The Internship" (2013).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1994
Co-starred on Nickelodeon mystery thriller series "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"
1998
Landed recurring role on Fox family drama "Party of Five"
2000
Cast as Vicki Appleby, the popular freshman cheerleader who spent seven minutes in heaven with geeky Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr) on NBC's "Freaks and Geeks"
2001
Landed breakthrough role of title character's oldest daughter on sitcom "Reba" (The WB, The CW)
2001
Made feature film debut in "American Pie 2" and "Not Another Teen Movie"
2008
Starred on The CW drama series "Privileged," based on <i>How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls</i> by Zoey Dean
2009
Guest starred on teen drama "Gossip Girl" (The CW) and sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)
2010
Co-starred with Raven-Symoné in ABC Family movie "Revenge of the Bridesmaids"
2012
Played a veterinary hospital director on NBC comedy "Animal Practice"
