AllMovie

Born on May 22nd, 1978, Memphis, TN, native Ginnifer Goodwin set her sights on performing from early childhood -- when she enrolled in dance classes at age five and appeared in a production of The Little Engine That Could -- but first began to aggressively hone her acting chops when she attended Boston University as a drama major, then received classical training as a thespian at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Goodwin found early success on the small screen with a recurring role on the NBC series Ed before moving to supporting film roles, including that of a Wellesley college student in Mona Lisa Smile (2003), a loyal best friend in Win a Date With Tad Hamilton! (2004), and Vivian Cash, the first wife of country singer Johnny Cash, in the biopic Walk the Line (2005). Goodwin drew a healthy amount of praise as a regular cast member of the HBOcomedy drama Big Love -- as Margene, the youngest and most naïve wife of Mormon polygamist Bill Henrickson. The actress then took on supporting roles in the comedy drama features In the Land of Women (2007) and He's Just Not That Into You (2008). After the conclusion of Big Love in 2010, Goodwin joined the cast of Ramona and Beezus, a family film adapted from Beverly Cleary's popular book series about the trials and tribulations of grade-schooler Ramona Quiimby. The actress continued to pursue comedy for 2011's Something Borrowed and Take Me Home Tonight. She returned to television in the fall of 2011 playing Snow White (and her non-fairytale counterpart, Mary Margaret) in ABC's Once Upon a Time.