Bio: Ginnifer Goodwin was born Jennifer Michelle Goodwin on May 22, 1978, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Linda (Kantor), a doctor of educational technology, and Tim Goodwin, a musician and the owner of Memphis Sound Productions recording studio. Ginnifer graduated from Lausanne Collegiate School in 1996 and received her BFA in Acting from Boston University's School for the Arts in 2001. She went on to study at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-Upon-Avon. She lived briefly in New York before moving to California, where she resides with her husband, actor Josh Dallas and their two sons. Ginnifer is of Scottish and English descent on her father's side, and she is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent on her mother's.
Tivia: Gave birth to her 1st child at age 36, a son named Oliver Finlay Dallas on May 29, 2014. Child's father is her husband, Josh Dallas.(April 12, 2014) Married her boyfriend of 2 years Josh Dallas following a 6-month-long engagement. They share their wedding day with their Once Upon a Time (2011) co-star and friend Jennifer Morrison's birthday. Morrison plays their daughter in the show.Her dream to be a Walt Disney princess came true with her role in Once Upon a Time (2011).Was 8 months pregnant with her son Oliver when she completed filming the 3rd season of Once Upon a Time (2011).Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 38, a son named Hugo Wilson Dallas on June 1, 2016. Child's father is her husband, Josh Dallas.Attended and failed a clown course.Also studied with London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon (in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company)Good friends with Once Upon a Time (2011) costar Jennifer Morrison.Won the Bette Davis Foundation Excellence in Acting / Professional Promise Award for theatre in 2001 (Boston, Massachusetts).Is no longer a vegan, after telling in an interview that she had several health issues.BFA in acting, with honors, from Boston University. A fellow student was Emily Deschanel.Returned to work 6 weeks after giving birth to her son Oliver to begin filming the 4th season of Once Upon a Time (2011).Was 7 months pregnant with her son Hugo when she completed filming the 5th season of Once Upon a Time (2011).Her father is of Scottish and English descent. Her mother is Ashkenazi. Ginnifer had a Bat Mitzvah ceremony.Snow Falls (2011) is her favorite episode of Once Upon a Time (2011).Returned to work 5 weeks after giving birth to her son Hugo to begin filming the 6th season of Once Upon a Time (2011).Long time friend Topher Grace recommended her for the role of Cathy Feely in Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004).Acting Shakespeare Certificate from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, UK.Her father, Tim Goodwin, was the orchestra leader for Roy Orbison.As a child, she attended the Henry S. Jacobs Camp, a summer camp for Reform Jewish children in Utica, Mississippi.'Younger sister, Melissa Goodwin Shepherd, is a stop-motion animator.Friends with Bill Paxton.Is just 1 year older than Jennifer Morrison and 22 years older than Jared Gilmore, who play her daughter and grandson on Once Upon a Time (2011).Was in a relationship with Chris Klein, her boyfriend of two years. (December 2008)Sister-in-law of Nathan Shepherd.Best friends with Whitney Cummings.Was engaged to Joey Kern [December 24, 2010 - May 20, 2011].Was girlfriend of Joey Kern [April 6, 2009].Ginnifer changed the spelling of her name from "Jennifer" to "Ginnifer" to distinguish her name, and to assist in pronunciation of her name in her regional dialect.