JoAnna García Swisher (born August 10, 1979) is an American actress and businesswoman. She is known for her roles as Sam in Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994–96), Vicki Appleby in Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), and Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–07). She has also gained popularity with her acting roles in Privileged (2008–09), Better with You (2010–11), Animal Practice (2012), Once Upon a Time (2013–18), The Astronaut Wives Club (2015), Fist Fight (2017) and Sweet Magnolias (2020–26). García also stars as Lindsey Johnson in Hallmark Channel's As Luck Would Have It (2021). She has hosted two seasons of The Ultimatum: Queer Love on Netflix starting in 2023.
Early life García was born to Loraine, a homemaker and former elementary school teacher, and Jay García (1945–2019), a gynecologist from Cuba.Welcome to the World of JoAnna Garcia. peopleenespanol.comDeggans, Eric. "'Reba' has a touch of Tampa", St. Petersburg Times, February 1, 2002.
Disney Channel discovered her, but her parents put school first and she acted in local plays to keep up with her passion. She was the homecoming queenJoanna García at superiorpics.com at Florida's Tampa Catholic High School.
Career While in Florida, García guest starred in seaQuest DSV, Second Noah, and Superboy and several films of the week. While attending high school, she was re-discovered by Nickelodeon and starred for three seasons as Samantha on Are You Afraid of the Dark?. She commuted from Florida to Montreal, Canada, where the show was filmed. She was cast at the age of fifteen on the 1994 television drama Party of Five, playing the recurring character Hallie. She had a recurring role on Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000) portraying the character of Vicki Appleby, the popular freshman cheerleader who spent seven minutes in heaven with the ultimate geek, Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr). She then briefly attended college at Florida State University where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, but later quit school to pursue acting full-time, moving to Los Angeles, California.
García went on to portray the character of Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery, Reba's (Reba McEntire) oldest daughter on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–07). She was featured on the short-lived CBS comedy Welcome to the Captain. Beginning in the fall of 2008, she starred as Megan Smith in the CW series Privileged (originally known as How to Survive the Filthy Rich). On the big screen, García was seen in the comedy spoof Not Another Teen Movie. She has also appeared in the original television miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (1998), and the television film Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder (1997). She also appeared in the ABC Family television film The Initiation of Sarah, which premiered in October 2006. In 2008, she had a role in A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride, playing Roxanne. She had a leading role in the ABC Family television film Revenge of the Bridesmaids alongside Raven-Symoné.
In 2009, García had a recurring role on The CW drama Gossip Girl playing the role of Bree Buckley, an irreverent evil Miss America-type who is politically progressive but from a conservative Southern family. She appeared in four episodes in season three. In December 2009, she guest starred as Maggie, Ted Mosby's college buddy on How I Met Your Mother.
García starred in the ABC sitcom Better with You. The show centers on two sisters who were at different points in their romantic relationships: one was unmarried and in a long-term relationship, and the other (García) got married after getting pregnant from a one-night stand. It was canceled on May 13, 2011.‘Better With You’ Cancelled By ABC – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers. Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com (May 13, 2011). Retrieved on December 28, 2012.
Garcia guest-starred on The Penguins of Madagascar in the episode "The Officer X Factor/Love Hurts", which aired on February 12, 2011. In 2012, Garcia appeared in four episodes of the USA Network dramedy Royal Pains as a nephrologist treating Jack O'Malley (Tom Cavanagh).Mitovich, Matt Webb (September 7, 2011). Exclusive: JoAnna Garcia Scrubs In As Mysterious Royal Pains Doc . tvline.com In 2013, during season three of the series Once Upon a Time she began playing the recurring role of Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
Business ventures On May 9, 2022, she launched a home decor collection titled "Clover by Jo" for HSN. The line includes bedding, pillows, mirrors, lamps, lanterns and planters.
During her career, she has graced the covers of numerous magazines such as Latina, Miami Living and Southern Living'''s first-ever digital issue, The Dream Homes Issue''. In 2004, she appeared in a promotional campaign and television commercial for retailer Kmart. In October 2023, Garcia Swisher teamed up with McCormick for back-to-school social media ads and events.
Personal life
In 2008, García became engaged to Trace Ayala, the personal assistant and childhood friend of Justin Timberlake who co-founded the clothing company William Rast.
In August 2009, People magazine reported that García was dating baseball player Nick Swisher.Marx, Linda (August 12, 2009). "Is Kate Hudson A-Rod's Good Luck Charm?" , People They became engaged in May 2010, and married on December 11, 2010, at the Breakers Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Bridesmaids for García included friends and fellow actresses Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Melissa Peterman, and Reba McEntire. Since her marriage, she has been credited as Joanna García Swisher. They have two daughters, one born in 2013 and the other in 2016.
Causes and interests García volunteers as a teacher for children who are learning English as a second language. She is involved with the organization Make the Commitment, whose purpose is to raise awareness about cervical cancer.TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to Chicago , MakeTheConnection.org, 2005.TV Star Joanna Garcia Brings Nationwide Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign to Miami , MakeTheConnection.org, 2005.Rybak, Hollie (October 4, 2005). . The Oracle. usforacle.com She has an organization called We Reach, a charity which has assembled an advisory board in the entertainment industry to help young girls around the country organize charity events in their hometowns. The charity also has the goal of empowering young women.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 1997 Love's Deadly Triangle: The Texas Cadet Murder Susie 1999 Holy Joe Joyce Cass2001 American Pie 2 Christy Not Another Teen Movie Sandy Sue2006 The Initiation of Sarah Corinne A-List Naomi2008 A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride Roxanne Extreme Movie Sweetie Pie 2010 Revenge of the Bridesmaids Parker Wald 2013 The Internship Megan 2017 Fist Fight Maggie Campbell 2022 Christmas with the Campbells Becky
Television Year Title Role Notes1992 Superboy Girl Episode: "Obituary for a Superhero" Clarissa Explains It All Fiona Episode: "Take My Advice... Please" 1994–1996 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Sam Main role 1994 seaQuest DSV Iris Episode: "Playtime" 1996Step by Step Chelsea Episode: "We're Going to Disney World: Part 1" 1996 & 1997 Second Noah Katherine Ortega 3 episodes1998 From the Earth to the Moon Julie Shepard Miniseries; episode: "For Miles and Miles" Party of Five Hallie 5 episodes Any Day Now Martha Montgomery Episode: "It's Who You Sleep With"1999 Dawson's Creek Girl #1 – Tracy Episode: "Be Careful What You Wish For" Pacific Blue Leah Chandler Episode: "Lucky 13" Providence Gillian Episode: "Heaven Can Wait" CI5: The New Professionals Cadet Susan Episode: "Glory Days"2000 Freaks and Geeks Vicki Appleby 5 episodes Opposite Sex Cassie Schreiber Episode: "The Homosexual Episode" Freedom Sally Mueller Episode: "Assassins" Boston Public Susan Potter Episode: "Chapter Four"2001 Go Fish Amanda Episode: "Go P.D.A." Going to California Jennifer Episode: "I Know Why the Caged Rhino Sings" 2001–2007 Reba Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery Main role 2001 Off Centre Ramona Episode: "Let's Meet Mike and Euan" 2004 What I Like About You Fiona Episode: "Three Little Words" 2005 Family Guy Liddane Voice, episode: "8 Simple Rules for Buying My Teenage Daughter" 2008 Welcome to the Captain Hope Main role 2008–2009 Privileged Megan Smith Main role2009 Gossip Girl Bree Buckley 4 episodes How I Met Your Mother Maggie Episode: "The Window" 2010–2011 Better with You Mia Putney Main role2011 The Penguins of Madagascar Shauna Voice, episode: "Love Hurts" Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Shannon Voice, episode: "Pool Daze"2012 Royal Pains Nina Greene 4 episodes Animal Practice Dorothy Crane Main role; 9 episodes 2013–2015, 2017–2018 Once Upon a Time Ariel Recurring role (7 episodes) 2014 The Mindy Project Sally Prentice 3 episodes2015 The Astronaut Wives Club Betty Grissom Main role; 10 episodes Grandfathered Sloan Episode: "Edie's Two Dads" 2016 Pitch Rachel Patrick 3 episodes 2017–2018 Kevin (Probably) Saves the World Amy Cabrera Main role; 16 episodes 2020–2026 Sweet Magnolias Maddie Townsend Main role; 50 episodes2021As Luck Would Have It Lindsey JohnsonTelevision film (Hallmark Channel)2023The Ultimatum: Queer LoveHost6 episodes2026Happy's PlaceKenzieseason 2 episode 12 "Social Discontent"
Music video YearTitleArtist(s)Role2008"Every Other Weekend"Reba McEntire feat. Kenny ChesneyFemale lead
Accolades Year Association Category Work Result 2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actress – Comedy Reba rowspan=2 2009 ALMA Awards Actress in Television – Comedy Privileged
References
External links
JoAnna Garcia at Country Music Television