Ginnifer Goodwin is an American television and film actress. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Linda and Tim Goodwin. The two have since divorced. She has a younger sister, Melissa. Goodwin was affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth and was active in BBYO at the Jewish Community Center in Memphis growing up. After graduating from Lausanne Collegiate School in 1996, Goodwin went on to Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, with honors, in 2001.

Goodwin first had roles in the popular NBC television programs Law & Order and Ed before appearing in the Comedy Central television movie Porn 'n Chicken. Later she had substantial roles in the films Mona Lisa Smile, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! and Walk the Line in which she portrayed Vivian Liberto, Johnny Cash's first wife. She also played Dori Dumchovic in the dark comedy Love Comes to the Executioner. As of 2007, Goodwin is in a supporting role in her second season as Margene Heffman, the third wife in a polygamous family, on the HBO original series Big Love.

She stars in He's Just Not That into You, due to be released in February 2009.

In 2008, MaxMara honored Goodwin with a "Face of the Future" award, an award recognizing women in film excellence. Also, GAP announced Goodwin will be the new face of Gap's Fall 2008 ad campaign.