Jennifer Garner Recalls "Special" Alias Family Thanksgivings with Bradley Cooper and Ben Affleck on Ina Garten Podcast

Jennifer Garner is reflecting on some of her most cherished holiday memories, revealing that her favorite Thanksgivings took place during the final seasons of her hit ABC spy series, Alias. Speaking on the November 4 episode of the Happy Hour With Ina Garten podcast, the 54-year-old actress described a warm, collaborative atmosphere where her "little Alias family" gathered to cook and celebrate together, blurring the lines between colleagues and close friends.

“My favorite Thanksgivings were when my kids were really little,” said Garner, who shares three children, Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel, with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck. The couple was married from 2005 to 2018 but has maintained a remarkably close and amicable co-parenting relationship, often spending major holidays together.

Garner recalled that these gatherings often took place at a large house toward the end of the show’s five-season run (2001–2006), a period when the cast had developed deep bonds after years of working intensely together on the J.J. Abrams-created thriller. The guest list for these intimate holidays included not only Affleck and their young children but also her beloved co-stars: Victor Garber, who played her father figure Jack Bristow; Ron Rifkin, who played Arvin Sloane; and a then-up-and-coming Bradley Cooper, who joined the cast in later seasons as Will Tippin.

“It was just our little Alias family cooking together. It was so special,” Garner said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. She detailed how the group divided up the culinary duties, turning the holiday meal into a communal project rather than a burden for one host. “Bradley made the stuffing, and Victor made... I think Victor’s sister came. It was just our little Alias family cooking together.”

Host Ina Garten, 78, praised the communal approach to holiday cooking, noting the joy found in shared effort. “How fabulous. That must have been wonderful. It’s great when everybody makes one thing, and they all make it together,” Garten said.

Garner laughed in agreement, adding a touch of humorous realism to the idyllic memory: “Yeah. If they all go together. Sometimes you get one [dish] that you’re like, ‘Huh?’ The comment highlights the unpredictable nature of potluck-style holidays, even among Hollywood elites, where individual culinary experiments don’t always harmonize perfectly.

A Tradition of Togetherness and Service

While those Alias-era celebrations hold a special place in Garner’s heart, the tradition of spending Thanksgiving with Affleck and their children has continued long after the show ended. According to sources, the former couple consistently gathers in Los Angeles for the holiday, with Garner often taking the lead on cooking. “Jen makes it very special. She’s such a great chef. She loves having her whole family together, too. Ben’s always welcome at her house,” an insider previously told PEOPLE. This continuity underscores the stability they have provided for their children despite their divorce, prioritizing family unity over personal differences.

Beyond private family gatherings, Garner and Affleck have also made a habit of giving back during the holiday season. In recent years, the pair has reunited to volunteer at The Midnight Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Street Fair in downtown Los Angeles. There, they serve free meals to the homeless community, spreading goodwill and demonstrating a shared commitment to philanthropy. These public acts of service contrast with the private intimacy of their Alias dinners but reflect the same core value of community and care.

From Spy Thrillers to Domestic Bliss

For Garner, the Alias years were a defining period in her career, launching her into global stardom. Yet, her fondest memories from that time are not of red carpets or award shows, but of quiet, chaotic kitchens filled with friends and family. The inclusion of Bradley Cooper, who was early in his rise to fame, adds a layer of historical interest to these anecdotes, showing a glimpse of the actor before he became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Similarly, the presence of veterans like Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin highlights the intergenerational bond that formed on set.

As she continues to balance her career with her role as a mother, philanthropist, and entrepreneur through her brand Once Upon a Farm, Garner’s reflections on Thanksgiving serve as a reminder of the importance of grounding oneself in genuine human connection. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of a co-parenting dynamic with Affleck or reminiscing about the camaraderie of her Alias days, Garner’s approach to the holiday is rooted in gratitude, humility, and the simple joy of sharing a meal with those she loves. For her, the perfect Thanksgiving isn’t about perfection in the kitchen, but the presence of people who feel like home.