Jennifer Love Hewitt got her first name from her older brother Todd (b. 1971), who picked the name after a little blonde girl he then had a crush on. Her mother selected her middle name, Love, which she goes by offstage from her best friend at college. Her mother, Pat, is a speech pathologist and her father, Danny, is a medical technician. Her parents separated when she was six months old. Born in Waco, Texas, she was raised by her mother in Harker Heights, Texas. She made her official performing debut at age 3 where she sang at a livestock show. At age 5, she was taking tap, jazz, and ballet lessons which led her to joining the Texas Show Team, which toured the Soviet Union and Europe. At age 10, the family moved to L.A. with the encouragement of talent scouts, while Todd stayed behind to finish high school in Texas. Jennifer quickly found commercial work and a role on Disney's Kids Incorporated in 1984. She went through a series of television flops before finally hitting it big on Party of Five in 1995.



Heartbreakers (2001): $4,000,000

Sent 3 dozen pink roses to Gwyneth Paltrow the night before Paltrow won the Oscar in 1999. Hewitt also wrote her a 2 page letter praising her as a role model and admiring her work. Paltrow sent a reply a week later, and Hewitt framed it - "it's my favorite thing". When the 2 actresses met for the first time at the 2000 Golden Globes, "she came up to me and gave me a hug for the flowers. I thought I was going to pass out. I was absolutely going to have a heart attack." Lost the role of Darlene in Brokedown Palace (1999) to Kate Beckinsale because of scheduling conflicts. Was considered for the role of Helen in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) before being cast as Julie. Cat named Don Juan; got the name "Love" from mother's college roommate; mother's name is Pat, older brother is Todd. Was considered for the title role in Lolita (1997). Was offered a role on the WB's "Charmed" (1998), taking over Shannen Doherty's place, but turned it down. [2001] Broke her finger filming the "flopper dive" scene in Heartbreakers (2001). Her mom is Italian, her father is German. Voted #14 in Rush Magazine's Sexiest Women 2002 list. Dated Rich Cronin of LFO (1999-2001) Briefly dated actor Wilmer Valderrama (1999). Was listed as a potential nominee on both the 2003 and 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballots. She was listed a suggestion in the Worst Actress category on the 2003 ballot for her performance in the film The Tuxedo (2002). And was suggested again two years later in the Worst Actress category of the 2005 ballot for her role in Garfield (2004). She failed to receive either nomination. Contrary to reports, she was not replaced by 'Jennifer Lopez' in The Wedding Planner (2001). Hewitt has stated in interviews that she had been developing her own film by the same title, but was forced to cancel it once the film with Lopez was released. The two films were unrelated. Named #43 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). A fan of the Glasgow Celtic Football Club. Ranked #20 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list. Broke up with Ross McCall after a three year relationship. [December 2008] Told several magazines that she wears a tiara when she takes a bath. Girlfriend of John Mallory Asher [April 2010].