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Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer Goodwin is the American actor who portrays Snow White, Mary Margaret Blanchard and Wish Snow White on ABC's Once Upon a Time.

Biography

Jennifer Michelle Goodwin, professionally known as Ginnifer Goodwin, was born on May 22, 1978, in Memphis, Tennessee to Linda Kantor, a stay-at-home mom who later became a "computer genius," working for big-brand companies like Apple, FedEx and the Smithsonian, and Tim Goodwin, who was a musician that conducted Roy Orbison's band and later opened a recording studio. Her sister, Melissa, is a professional animator in Los Angeles with one of her notable works being Robot Chicken. Ginnifer was raised Jewish, and gave it up at one point, but as an adult embraces Judaism fully.

In fifth grade, she became deeply interested in Romeo and Juliet and described herself as a "Shakespeare nerd" that became devoted to acting throughout school. From studying at Boston University, Ginnifer performed in student films and in college and regional stage productions that earned her the Excellence in Acting: Professional Promise Award by the Bette Davis Foundation. She graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting. She furthered her studies by heading to England and enrolling at Stratford-upon-Avon's Shakespeare Institute to earn an Acting Shakespeare Certificate from London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. While in London, she appeared onstage as Joan of Arc, Ophelia in Hamlet and Jessica in The Merchant of Venice.

She made her television debut on the series Law & Order, but had her first recurring television role on Ed in 2001. Her first

A Shakespearean-trained actress, Ginnifer Goodwin made a name for herself on some of television's more unusual and creative series. Goodwin was barely out of her teens when she landed a supporting role as a wry, intellectual high school student on the quirky small-town comedy "Ed" (NBC, 2000-04), while appearing in major features like "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003) and "Win a Date with Ted Hamilton!" (2004). After appearing as spurned first wife of Johnny Cash in the biopic "Walk the Line" (2005), Goodwin scored a leading role on the highly acclaimed series "Big Love" (HBO, 2006-2011), where she played the youngest of three sister wives in a polygamist family.

Meanwhile, her big-screen breakthrough came in the form of the romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009), which showcased the actress' appealing blend of brains and indie-girl cuteness, while leading to prominent supporting roles in "A Single Man" (2009) and "Something Borrowed" (2011). With her heralded portrayal of Snow White on the hybrid fantasy "Once Upon a Time" (ABC, 2011- ), Goodwin was firmly established as a new contender to the America's Sweetheart throne once held by the likes of Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston. Meanwhile, a secondary career as a voice actress endeared her to a generation of young fans, especially for her charmingly hyperactive performance as police officer Judy Hopps in the animated hit "Zootopia" (2016).

Goodwin was born May 22, 1978, and raised in Memphis, TN. Her father had been a musician and studio owner in one of the industry's landmark cities. It was no surprise that Goodwin grew up with her eye on the stage; albeit, her interest was in acting. A self-described "Shakespeare nerd," Goodwin fell in love with "Romeo and Juliet" in the fifth grade and remained dedicated to acting all through school and on into Boston University, where she performed constantly in student films and in college and regional stage productions.

Goodwin was given the