Jennifer Love Hewitt was one of the most beloved young stars of the 1990s, known for her charming smile and natural presence on screen. At one point, it seemed she would grow into a highly respected actress with a long-lasting career. But around 2015, the “Ghost Whisperer” star disappeared from the Hollywood spotlight, leaving fans wondering what happened.
Jennifer first started out as a child actor, gaining attention with appearances in TV commercials. When she was just 10 years old, she landed a role on the Disney Channel show Kids Incorporated, which ran from 1989 to 1991. That program helped boost many future stars, such as Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas and Mario Lopez from Saved by the Bell.
Later, Jennifer became a series regular on the popular drama Party of Five. The show featured a talented ensemble cast, including Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, and Neve Campbell. After six seasons, Party of Five ended in 1999.
The 1990s also saw Jennifer starring in teen films that became cult classics, like the horror hits I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997 and 1998) and the comedy Can’t Hardly Wait (1998). In 2001, she appeared alongside Sigourney Weaver in the movie Heartbreakers, though some critics focused more on her looks than her acting performance.
Jennifer later admitted in a 2018 interview that as she grew into adulthood, she struggled with how the media portrayed her, especially the focus on her physical appearance. She said it bothered her that when people searched for her online, they found comments that reduced her to looks rather than talent. She didn’t want her children to see headlines about her body instead of her work or character.
In 2002, Jennifer starred in The Tuxedo with Jackie Chan, where she played a more covered-up role, wearing a special tuxedo that gave her superpowers. She then moved back to TV in 2005, starring as Melinda Gordon, a woman who could talk to the dead, in the show Ghost Whisperer. Although critics weren’t always kind to the series, it attracted a loyal fan base. Jennifer was deeply disappointed when the show was canceled suddenly in 2010, leaving many storylines unfinished.
In 2012, Jennifer earned her first Golden Globe nomination for The Client List, a drama about a single mother who supports her family through erotic massage work. On set, she met Brian Hallisay, who played her character’s troubled boyfriend. Their romance blossomed into real life, and the couple married in 2013. They now have three children: Autumn, born just days after their wedding, Atticus in 2015, and Aiden in 2021.
After years of working nonstop, Jennifer stepped back from acting in 2015 to focus on family life and her own well-being. She described needing space to simply “be” without the constant pressure of showbiz. During this time, she was also grieving the loss of her mother, who passed away from cancer in 2012.
Jennifer faced a difficult environment on social media, especially Twitter, where she encountered negativity and even threats. Being pregnant and wanting peace, she decided to leave the platform in 2013, which attracted media attention.
Throughout her career, Jennifer faced the harsh side of Hollywood fame, including judgment over her body. When some media outlets harshly criticized her weight after bikini photos leaked, Jennifer decided to use her voice as a positive influence. She encouraged all girls to embrace their bodies and confidently wear a bikini, promoting self-love and strength.
Today, Jennifer no longer focuses on the scale or calorie counting. She keeps active and leads a healthier lifestyle, sharing moments from her life on Instagram and Facebook to connect positively with her fans.
In 2020, after a three-year break from acting, Jennifer returned with renewed energy, joining the cast of 9-1-1, a popular series about first responders. Playing Maddie Buckley, a former nurse turned emergency operator, Jennifer showcased more mature acting skills. She explained that with age and life experience, she could bring greater depth to her performances compared to her younger days as a child actor.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe nearly 25 years have passed since Jennifer first captured hearts on Party of Five. Today, as a devoted mother of three, she has found balance between career and family life. Fans eagerly await to see her continue growing in diverse and serious roles, building on a remarkable and inspiring journey.
