Jennifer Garner has had an off-again-on-again relationship with John Miller since 2018, but their pairing doesn’t get much attention compared to her ex-husband Ben Affleck’s marriage to Jennifer Lopez. That seems to be how they prefer it. After her divorce from Affleck, Garner seemed to have enough of celebrity relationships and the publicity that comes with them.
A source told Us Weekly that Miller is on the same page as Garner explaining, “She loves how little he cares for the limelight or the whole Hollywood scenester stuff… Very different from Ben and J.Lo’s relationship in that way. You’ll never see them ham it up for the cameras or fixate about what events to attend together, it’s just not their style.”
They added, “They’re happier being a regular, under-the-radar couple and don’t need anyone else’s validation to know they’re meant to be together. That’s not to say they’re taking digs against others, it’s just not them.”
Here’s what else we know about their relationship so far.
John Miller and Jennifer Garner on January 28, 2023 in Montecito, California.
Who is John Miller, and what does he do?
Miller is a businessman who works as the CEO of CaliBurger and its parent company, CaliGroup. From 2004 to 2010, he worked at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals as the VP of intellectual property, and he is also an attorney.
How long after breaking up with Ben Affleck did Garner start dating Miller?
The divorce between Affleck and Garner was finalized in 2018. That same month, a source told Us Weekly that the new couple had been together for six months already. She and Affleck had been separated since 2015, and continued to co-parent their three children, Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 10.
Miller was still married himself when he and Garner got together. His divorce from Caroline Campbell, with whom he shares two children, was finalized about a month later that same year.
When did Garner and Miller break up?
In August 2020, the couple had a brief split because there were some issues around commitment—from Garner.
“He was ready for marriage and she just couldn’t commit,” said a source at the time. Less than a year later in spring 2021, they got back together and have stayed strong since.
What do their friends think of John Miller and Jennifer Garner as a couple?
Everyone loves these two as a couple.
“Jen’s friends are happy she’s found a nice guy who treats her well,” an insider said. “They trust her judgment and John is certainly a steady and positive influence in her life.”
How is their romance going now?
Since they reunited, it seems like Garner and Miller have worked out any differences and sources close to them say it’s been a wonderful relationship.
“Jen brings out the best in John, and he is the happiest he has probably ever been,” said one insider. “It’s a loving, healthy relationship.”
Another source said, “John is so smitten and caring, but not in an overbearing way… He gives Jen space when she needs it but he’s there for her when the chips are down or she’s in the mood for something spontaneous. They’ve enjoyed some wonderful getaways together … that’s one of their big things.”
When were Garner and Miller last seen?
Garner and Miller have generally kept a pretty low profile throughout their romance, including right after Affleck got married to Lopez in July 2022. Paparazzi captured Garner and Miller out together on April 25, 2022. Garner was all smiles, beaming as she said goodbye to her partner.
They were seen again in Los Angeles on August 4, leaving a work out together and heading to Garner’s car. Garner was wearing grey and black leggings with white and black sneakers, and left her long hair down. She wore an Apple watch and black sunglasses for accessories, and had her hands full with a sweater, iPhone, water, and coffee.
In October 9, 2022, the couple were spotted sharing a smooch on a Saturday morning in Los Angeles again. The couple were meeting by a car, smiling and apparently happy to see one another. They were both dressed casually, with garner in a baseball cap and black workout look, and Miller in a printed t-shirt and jean. They were later seen out with Garner’s son, Samuel.
On January 28, 2023, Miller and Garner were seen in Montecito, California. The two held hands and matched in blue in the photo above. Per the photo agency, the two explored boutiques and antique shops in Montecito Village.
And then on Thursday, April 13, he came with her to the premiere of her new show, The Last Thing He Told Me, in Los Angeles. Though they did not walk the red carpet together, an insider told Us Weekly that Miller met her inside the Regency Bruin Theatre for the vieweing, adding that the actress was “glowing.” After greeting her, Miller sat a few aisles behind the show’s star, his girlfriend.
Later in the year, the couple was photographed out jogging together in Brentwood, Los Angeles during the weekend of August 12.
How does Garner feel about marrying Miller in 2023, after four years together?
She’s still not ready, but it’s not because of him. A source told Us Weekly in January 2023 that Garner was very committed to Miller but not quite ready to tie the knot with anyone.
“Jennifer adores John and still sees a long-term future with him. There’s no desire on her part to slow things down, spend less time together or anything like that,” a source told the outlet. “She’s just decided after a lot of thought that she’s just not in a hurry to rush down the aisle just yet and that she feels perfectly happy cherishing and enjoying what they have—for now—without a formal label.”
How is Garner and Miller’s relationship going in summer 2023?
A source gave Us Weekly a brief update on Miller and Garner at the end of June 2023, saying that Garner is more comfortable being affectionate with Miller in public.
“Jen’s not nearly as shy as she once was with John because they’re a lot more comfortable and secure with each other,” a source said. “She’s proud to show him off.”
A second source described Garner and Miller as “going strong,” although they have “no plans as of now [to move in together].”
The source added that Miller recently started renting a home closer to Garner’s because he “wanted to be near” her. That said, the source went on, “Jen and John are perfectly happy with the way things are right now.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.