Jennifer Love Hewitt began her career as a child performer in national television commercials before securing a role on the Disney Channel series Kids Incorporated. Her transition into major film and television roles defined her profile throughout the 1990s and 2000s, cementing her presence in both teen-oriented dramas and high-grossing horror franchises.
Early Television Career
Born in 1979 in Waco, Texas, Hewitt moved to Los Angeles at age ten to pursue acting and singing. Her early television credits included appearances on the variety program Kids Incorporated from 1989 to 1991, which earned her several Young Artist Award nominations. Following this, she took roles in several short-lived series, such as Shaky Ground, The Byrds of Paradise, and McKenna, while also obtaining her first feature film role in the independent production Munchie.
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Hewitt achieved significant recognition for her role as Sarah Reeves Merrin on the Fox series Party of Five, where she remained a regular cast member from 1995 until 1999. Her transition to film success occurred with the 1997 horror movie I Know What You Did Last Summer. Playing the character Julie James, she garnered attention for her performance, leading to a role in the sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. During this period, she also appeared in teen comedies including Can't Hardly Wait.
Television and Producing Projects
In the mid-2000s, Hewitt transitioned into lead roles for television dramas. She portrayed Melinda Gordon on the CBS supernatural series Ghost Whisperer from 2005 to 2010. Following this, she starred in the Lifetime drama The Client List, earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for the pilot film. Her later television work includes roles in the crime drama Criminal Minds and the procedural 9-1-1. Alongside acting, she has served as a producer on multiple film and television projects.
Music and Writing
Hewitt has maintained a parallel career as a singer, releasing four studio albums: Love Songs, Let's Go Bang, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and BareNaked. Her 1999 single How Do I Deal peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to music, she authored a book titled The Day I Shot Cupid in 2010, which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Waco, Texas
- Citizenship: United States
- Notable TV Series: Ghost Whisperer, The Client List
- Studio Albums Released: 4
- Education: Abraham Lincoln High School, Laurel Springs School
- First Feature Film: Munchie
Questions readers ask
What was Jennifer Love Hewitt's breakout role?
Her breakthrough occurred with the television drama Party of Five and the horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Has she released any books?
Yes, she published a dating-advice book titled The Day I Shot Cupid in 2010.
Achievements
- Notable work: Ghost Whisperer
- Notable work: The Client List
- Worked as television actor, film actor and singer
