Emmy-nominated Canadian actor Victor Garber was born on March 16, 1949 in London, Ontario. He began acting when he was just nine years old, eventually entering Hart House at the University of Toronto when he was just 15. During his younger years, he was also part of the folk group The Sugar Shoppe, which enjoyed moderate success during the 1960s—even eliciting performances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show—before breaking up.
Garber began acting for the screen in the 1970s. His first film, Godspeed, saw him play the role of Jesus, in a musical adaptation of Biblical events. His other notable films include Sleepless in Seattle, Annie, Legally Blonde, and Tuck Everlasting. One of his more notable films was Titanic, where he played shipbuilder Thomas Andrews.
However, Garber is more known and acclaimed for his roles in television. His first recurring television role was in 1985, when he appeared in the television series I Had Three Wives. In 1988, he was nominated for an Emmy for his performance as the lead role in the television movie Liberace: Behind the Music. He also had a recurring role in the Canadian series E.N.G.
But it was with the spy drama Alias where Garber got the most recognition and renown. The series saw him play the role of Jack Bristow, the emotionally distant father of lead Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), who works at the CIA and, formerly, for the SD-6, whose main concern is to assure the safety of her daughter, whatever it takes. This portrayal earned him three Emmy nominations from 2003 to 2005, and a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2003. When the series ended, Garber took on a role in the drama Eli Stone.
Garber also performed on stage, appearing in the original Broadway productions of Deathtrap, Sweeney Todd and Noises Off. He was also part of the original cast of the off-Broadway play Assassins. Throughout his stage career, he received four Tony nominations.
-Victor Garber has played both Jesus (in Godspell) and the Devil (in Damn Yankees) on stage.
-Victor was one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men Alive, 2006. He is found in the "Hooray for Gray!" section.
-Victor Garber's character in Alias, Jack Bristow, was ranked #29 in TV Guide's list of the 50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time in 2004.
-And when I go to see plays, I marvel at how people can do that. I've done it all my life, but I still find it mystical.
-I am surprised by the enthusiasm of fans - the kind of avid, crazy excitement about Alias - which is wonderful.
-The most sinister aspect of Jack is his detachment, his ability to distance himself from his feelings.
-If you were to come to the set of Alias, you'd know how silly we all are. And I mean, silly.