Kelli Garner, a California native, made her film debut at the tender age of sixteen in director Mike Mills' short film, Architecture of Reassurance. Her captivating performance did not go unnoticed, as director Larry Clark soon cast her in her first feature film, Bully, as the troubled teen, Heather Swallers. This breakout role established Kelli as a talented and edgy young actress, paving the way for her subsequent appearances in independent films.
Garner's versatility as an actress was further showcased in her portrayal of Faith Domergue, a 1940s Hollywood ingénue, in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. She later reunited with Mike Mills for his 2005 Sundance hit, Thumbsucker, and demonstrated her comedic chops in leading roles, starring alongside Tommy Lee Jones in Man of the House and Ryan Gosling in Lars and the Real Girl.
On the small screen, Garner has made a name for herself with her versatility and range. She recently starred as Kate Ryan in NBC's The Enemy Within, opposite Jennifer Carpenter and Morris Chestnut, and delivered a standout performance as Norma Jean/Marilyn Monroe in Lifetime's event drama, The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, alongside Susan Sarandon. Her role in ABC's 1960s airline drama, Pan Am, opposite Christina Ricci, only added to her retro charm.
Throughout her career, Kelli has consistently demonstrated her ability to fully immerse herself in her characters, delivering raw, honest, and heartbreaking performances. Some of her notable roles include Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock and Alex Aja's Horns, alongside Daniel Radcliffe.
In addition to her film and television work, Garner has also made a mark on the stage. Her theatre credits include The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, opposite Diane Wiest, at the Classic Stage Company, 1+1 by Eric Bogosian, at New York Stage and Film, and Dog See's God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Bert V Royal, at the Century Center for Performing Arts.
