Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner.Photo:Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock; Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty
Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock; Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty
Mark RuffaloandJennifer Garner’s friendship has stood the test of time.
They first pulled heartstrings in 2004, when they played the grown-up versions of Jenna and Matty in13 Going on 30. Their off-screen bond has since continued to evoke nostalgia through throwback photos shared on Instagram and every so often, appearances at each others' sides.
Garner and Ruffalo joined forces again to costar as a couple in the 2022 sci-fi flickThe Adam Project, and in 2024, Garner sang thePoor Thingsactor’s praises at hisHollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.
Take a look back at Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner’s sweetest photos from their two decades of friendship.
01of 11
Way Back When
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.James Devaney/WireImage
James Devaney/WireImage
02of 11Growing Up TogetherMelinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/ShutterstockOn the 15th anniversary of the rom-com classic, Ruffaloreminisced about sharing a setwith his “lovely” costar back in 2004.“We had the sweetest time,” Ruffalo toldEntertainment Tonightin 2019. “[Jennifer] was a big star then but I was kind of just starting out. She was just so lovely.”
02of 11
Growing Up Together
Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock
On the 15th anniversary of the rom-com classic, Ruffaloreminisced about sharing a setwith his “lovely” costar back in 2004.
“We had the sweetest time,” Ruffalo toldEntertainment Tonightin 2019. “[Jennifer] was a big star then but I was kind of just starting out. She was just so lovely.”
03of 11Love StoryChristopher Polk/Getty“We were making this really sweet movie that had a great message for young girls,” Ruffalocontinued in conversationwithET. “We were all sort of coming into our own in that moment. We really loved that story and Jen was just transformed into a 13-year-old girl. It was really amazing.”
03of 11
Love Story
Christopher Polk/Getty
“We were making this really sweet movie that had a great message for young girls,” Ruffalocontinued in conversationwithET. “We were all sort of coming into our own in that moment. We really loved that story and Jen was just transformed into a 13-year-old girl. It was really amazing.”
04of 11Star PowerJennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Carlo Allegri/GettyThe costars — pictured here at the premiere of13 Going on 30— reunited when Garner spoke at Ruffalo’sstar ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Famein 2024. The longtime friends warmed hearts with callbacks to the movie. At one point, they joined together to perform part ofthe “Thriller” dance, a reference to an iconic scene from the film.
04of 11
Star Power
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Carlo Allegri/Getty
Carlo Allegri/Getty
The costars — pictured here at the premiere of13 Going on 30— reunited when Garner spoke at Ruffalo’sstar ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Famein 2024. The longtime friends warmed hearts with callbacks to the movie. At one point, they joined together to perform part ofthe “Thriller” dance, a reference to an iconic scene from the film.
05of 11Rom-Com RoyaltyGarner has referenced their nostalgic on-screen romance on social media several times in the two decades since13 Going on 30premiered. In 2018, she celebratedPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s royal wedding with abehind-the-scenes throwback photo.In the picture, Garner wears a wedding dress alongside her tuxedoed costar while hanging from wires on the set of the romantic comedy.“Harry and Meghan, if you’re looking for stand-ins @markruffalo and I are just hangin’ around,” the actress wrote alongsideher Instagram post.
05of 11
Rom-Com Royalty
Garner has referenced their nostalgic on-screen romance on social media several times in the two decades since13 Going on 30premiered. In 2018, she celebratedPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s royal wedding with abehind-the-scenes throwback photo.
In the picture, Garner wears a wedding dress alongside her tuxedoed costar while hanging from wires on the set of the romantic comedy.
“Harry and Meghan, if you’re looking for stand-ins @markruffalo and I are just hangin’ around,” the actress wrote alongsideher Instagram post.
06of 11Only Need the MemoriesJennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImageThough they’ve both gushed about making the coming-of-age flick, Garner has already said there’sno sequel plans in sight. During an appearance on theTodayshow in 2019, theJunostar shut down the idea with a jesting jab: “What, like 15 going on 50?” she joked.“Let’s simmer down,” Garner continued. “Leave well enough alone.”
06of 11
Only Need the Memories
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
Though they’ve both gushed about making the coming-of-age flick, Garner has already said there’sno sequel plans in sight. During an appearance on theTodayshow in 2019, theJunostar shut down the idea with a jesting jab: “What, like 15 going on 50?” she joked.
“Let’s simmer down,” Garner continued. “Leave well enough alone.”
07of 11Old PalsJennifer Garner/InstagramIn 2021, the actors proved their lasting bond witha sweet selfieon Instagram, which Garner captioned with another nod to a13 Going on 30plot point.“Wishing dust worked! And I got a perfect day with my old pal,” she wrote.
07of 11
Old Pals
Jennifer Garner/Instagram
In 2021, the actors proved their lasting bond witha sweet selfieon Instagram, which Garner captioned with another nod to a13 Going on 30plot point.
“Wishing dust worked! And I got a perfect day with my old pal,” she wrote.
08of 11
Time Traveling Again
Michael Loccisano/WireImage
09of 11Reunited on ScreensShortly before the Netflix release of their 2022 film, Garner posted a then-and-now collage of her and Ruffalo in13 Going on 30and inThe Adam Projecton Instagram. Inher caption, theAliasactress dubbed the latter a “13 Going on 30 Reunion.”
09of 11
Reunited on Screens
Shortly before the Netflix release of their 2022 film, Garner posted a then-and-now collage of her and Ruffalo in13 Going on 30and inThe Adam Projecton Instagram. Inher caption, theAliasactress dubbed the latter a “13 Going on 30 Reunion.”
10of 11What a ThrillJennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Frazer Harrison/GettyThough Ruffalo looked excited to revisit the13 Going on 30"Thriller” dance on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Garner poked fun at her former costar’shesitance to danceduring production 20 years earlier.While speaking at the event, the Golden Globe winner playfully pondered whether Ruffalo’s other rom-com costars — Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightley — also observed his quirks on set.“I wonder if these esteemed ladies enjoyed Mark’s anxiety as much as I did,” Garner continued. “I wonder if he tried to drop out of their films, like he did out of ours after the first rehearsal of the ‘Thriller’ dance where Mark went from kind of shocked that we actually had to do this, to antsy, to deathly quiet, to ‘Bro, this is not for me.’”
10of 11
What a Thrill
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.Frazer Harrison/Getty
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Though Ruffalo looked excited to revisit the13 Going on 30"Thriller" dance on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Garner poked fun at her former costar’shesitance to danceduring production 20 years earlier.
While speaking at the event, the Golden Globe winner playfully pondered whether Ruffalo’s other rom-com costars — Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightley — also observed his quirks on set.
“I wonder if these esteemed ladies enjoyed Mark’s anxiety as much as I did,” Garner continued. “I wonder if he tried to drop out of their films, like he did out of ours after the first rehearsal of the ‘Thriller’ dance where Mark went from kind of shocked that we actually had to do this, to antsy, to deathly quiet, to ‘Bro, this is not for me.’"
11of 11High PraiseMark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner.Frazer Harrison/Getty"To work with you, Mark, is to love you," Garner continued inher moving speech. “I don’t care what anyone says.”
11of 11
High Praise
Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner.Frazer Harrison/Getty
“To work with you, Mark, is to love you,” Garner continued inher moving speech. “I don’t care what anyone says.”
source: people.com
