Jennifer Garner has shared a shocking behind-the-scenes story from her acting career, admitting to a physical altercation that left a co-star with a missing piece of ear. The revelation came during a press panel for her Apple TV+ series The Last Thing He Told Me, where Garner discussed her experience with intense stunt work.
An On-Set Incident with Lasting Impact
While reflecting on a fight scene from her current show, Garner recalled a particularly brutal moment from the 2007 film The Kingdom. "That performer Sal in the clip, I worked with him on The Kingdom and he had to pull me from a ceiling," she explained. The situation escalated when director Pete Berg instructed her co-star to "try to kill me" during the scene.
No Choreography, Just Survival Instincts
Garner described how the lack of formal choreography led to genuine physical struggle. "We did not have a lot of choreography, and he told me to do anything I could to survive," she remembered. "He did, and I did, and I ended up scrambling onto his back. I bit his ear, and we have a picture of him missing a chunk of ear, because we were not kidding."
Bringing That Intensity to Current Projects
The actress revealed that this same ferocity carried over to her work on The Last Thing He Told Me. During a particularly physical scene shot early in production, crew members expressed concern for her safety. "That scene was our second day of shooting and the crew were like, 'Can you be careful with her please,'" Garner recalled. "And I was like, 'Everyone no, back off, I have a score to settle here.'"
The Mike Tyson Comparison
When co-star Nicolaj Coster-Waldau pressed for clarification about the ear-biting incident, Garner didn't hold back. "I bit a piece of his ear off like Mike Tyson," she declared, referencing the boxer's notorious 1997 ear-biting incident during his fight with Evander Holyfield. The comparison drew laughter from the panel audience.
A Playful Warning to Future Co-Stars
Garner concluded her anecdote with a humorous but pointed message: "Don't make me mad. I seem nice." The lighthearted warning underscored the contrast between her typically pleasant public persona and the intensity she brings to physical scenes.
About The Last Thing He Told Me
The series, based on Laura Dave's bestselling novel, follows Garner's character Hannah Hall as she forms an unexpected bond with her stepdaughter while searching for her missing husband. Garner described her character's journey as particularly satisfying: "She has prepared everything for every eventuality, all to keep Bailey safe. So watching as the penny drops and Hannah really realizes the kind of danger they're in, watching those actions fall into place, and watching her take one step after the other and include Bailey in this grand escape is, to me, really, really gratifying."
Series Success and Future
The Last Thing He Told Me premiered in April 2023 and earned renewal in March 2024. The second season is scheduled to debut on Apple TV+ on February 20, 2026, continuing the mystery thriller that has captivated audiences with its blend of family drama and suspense.
