Jessica Alba
Born 1981 · Age 44
American actress and entrepreneur; rose to prominence as Max Guevara on Dark Angel; co-founder of consumer goods company The Honest Company.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Pomona, California
Jessica Marie Alba born to Catherine Louisa (Jensen) and Mark David Alba.
Wins acting competition in Beverly Hills
At age 11 persuaded her mother to take her to an acting competition; won the grand prize of free acting classes and began formal lessons.
Signed by an agent
Approximately nine months after her competition win, Jessica was signed by an agent and began pursuing professional work.
TV recurring role: The Secret World of Alex Mack
Appeared in three episodes as 'Jessica' marking an early TV recurring role.
Feature film debut: Camp Nowhere
First film appearance as Gail; initially hired for two weeks but role extended to two months after another actress dropped out.
Cast as Maya in Flipper
Portrayed Maya for the first two seasons (1995–1997) of the Flipper TV series; filmed in Australia and used her PADI scuba skills.
Studies at Atlantic Theater Company
Studied acting with William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman at the Atlantic Theater Company after high school.
Graduated high school at 16
Graduated from Claremont High School at age 16 and subsequently studied at the Atlantic Theater Company.
Film roles: Never Been Kissed and Idle Hands
Appeared in Never Been Kissed (supporting) and starred in Idle Hands (female lead), raising her profile in Hollywood.
Cast as Max Guevara in Dark Angel
Picked by James Cameron from over 1,000 candidates for the lead role; series ran 2000–2002 and launched her to prominence.
Teen Choice Award: Choice Actress (Dark Angel)
Won Teen Choice Award for Choice Actress for her role in Dark Angel.
Engaged to Michael Weatherly (proposal)
Co-star Michael Weatherly proposed to Alba on her 20th birthday (accepted; engagement later ended).
Golden Globe nomination (TV Series – Drama)
Received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Dark Angel.
Breakthrough film: Honey (lead role)
Starred as an aspiring dancer-choreographer; production budget $18M and worldwide gross $62.2M.
Played Sue Storm in Fantastic Four
Portrayed Invisible Woman; the film grossed approximately $333.5M worldwide.
Into the Blue release
Co-starred opposite Paul Walker; film grossed ~$44.4M worldwide.
Starred in Sin City
Played Nancy Callahan in Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller's neo-noir; film grossed $158.8M worldwide; earned MTV Movie Award for Sexiest Performance.
Hosted MTV Movie Awards
Hosted the 2006 MTV Movie Awards and performed sketches parodying major films.
Playboy cover dispute and lawsuit dropped
Playboy used promotional shot of Alba on cover without consent; Alba sued and later dropped the lawsuit after apology and charitable donations agreed by Hugh Hefner.
Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People (2005/2007 appearances)
Featured repeatedly on lists of most beautiful/sexiest women (Maxim Hot 100, People, FHM, AskMen); sustained public-image recognition through 2000s and 2010s.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer released
Reprised Sue Storm role; film grossed ~$290M worldwide.
Good Luck Chuck and Awake released
Starred in romantic comedy Good Luck Chuck (gross ~ $60M) and psychological thriller Awake (budget ~$8M; gross ~$32.7M).
Political endorsements: Barack Obama and later Hillary Clinton
Endorsed Barack Obama during the 2008 primary season and later expressed support for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
Starred in The Eye and The Love Guru
Transitioned into horror with The Eye and appeared in Mike Myers comedy The Love Guru; received Teen Choice Award (Choice Movie Actress: Horror–Thriller) for The Eye and a Razzie nomination.
Declare Yourself ad campaign
Posed for voter-registration campaign Declare Yourself (bondage-themed photos) to encourage youth voting in 2008 US election.
Hosted Academy Science & Technical Awards
Hosted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Science and Technical Awards ceremony (Feb 2008).
Married Cash Warren
Married producer Cash Warren in Los Angeles; met on the Fantastic Four set in 2004.
Birth of first daughter, Honor Marie
Daughter Honor Marie born June 7, 2008. First photos sold to OK! magazine reportedly earned Alba $1.5M.
Shark poster controversy in Oklahoma City
While filming The Killer Inside Me, she pasted shark posters around town; apologized and donated over $500 to United Way after property owners declined to press charges.
Five film releases in 2010
Appeared in The Killer Inside Me (Sundance premiere), Valentine's Day (gross $216.5M), Machete (gross ~$44M), An Invisible Sign of My Own, and Little Fockers (gross > $310M).
Co-founded The Honest Company (announced)
Co-founded The Honest Company with Christopher Gavigan (and later partners Brian Lee and Sean Kane); company focused on baby, personal and household products. Sources cite 2011 founding with launch in Jan 2012.
Lobbying for Safe Chemicals Act (first recorded)
Participated in a two-day lobbying effort in Washington D.C. supporting the Safe Chemicals Act (revision of Toxic Substances Control Act).
Razzie Award: Worst Supporting Actress (award year 2011)
Received Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress for multiple 2010 roles (e.g., Little Fockers, Valentine's Day, Machete).
Ambassador/charity roles (Baby2Baby, 1Goal, others)
Served as Baby2Baby 'angel' ambassador, 1Goal movement ambassador, and participated in multiple charities including Habitat for Humanity and Soles4Souls.
Honest Company product launch (public launch)
Honest Company product line (diapers, household goods, body care) publicly launched (January 2012 reported).
Voice acting debut: Escape from Planet Earth
Made her voice acting debut in the animated feature Escape from Planet Earth (moderate box-office success).
Cameo in Machete Kills and role in A.C.O.D.
Appeared (uncredited cameo) in Machete Kills (2013) and co-starred in A.C.O.D. (limited theatrical run).
Published 'The Honest Life' (NYT Best Seller)
Released the book The Honest Life based on creating a natural, non-toxic life; became a New York Times Best Seller.
Genealogy on 'Finding Your Roots'
Appeared on Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s Finding Your Roots; discovered Indigenous American paternal Y-DNA (Q-M3) and Jewish matrilineal line connections.
Honest Company valuation reported at ~$1 billion (update)
Press reports cited the Honest Company as valued at about $1 billion as of 2014 (noting this was an 'update' in sources).
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For released
Reprised Nancy Callahan in Sin City sequel; film was a commercial failure (gross $39M against $65M budget).
Sponsored specialized lab at Mount Sinai Hospital
Alba and The Honest Company sponsored a specialized laboratory to research links between household chemicals and autism.
Launched Honest Beauty product line
Expanded Honest Company into skincare and beauty with Honest Beauty line (October 2015).
Mechanic: Resurrection release
Appeared opposite Jason Statham; the film grossed $125.7M worldwide. Prepared for role by training in Krav Maga.
Birth of son Hayes
Son Hayes born Dec 31, 2017 (with husband Cash Warren).
Starred in L.A.'s Finest and served as executive producer
Co-starred with Gabrielle Union in Spectrum action crime series L.A.'s Finest (2019–2020); also executive producer.
Disney+ Documentary series announced (Parenting Without Borders)
Announced she would star in and executive produce an international documentary series for Disney+; project ultimately not released.
Public net worth estimate reported (~$350M+)
Profiles and interviews (e.g., HispanicExecutive, April 2021) estimated Alba's net worth at more than $350 million, citing acting and Honest Company success.
Honest Company valuation reported ~$550M (Feb 2022)
Press cited The Honest Company was valued at roughly $550 million as of February 2022.
Disclosure: Alba owned 6.5% of Honest Company; compensation details
As of April 2022 Alba owned 6.5% of The Honest Company; employed as chief creative officer with annual base salary $700,000 and restricted stock valued $1,500,000.
Stepped down as Honest Company Chief Creative Officer
Alba stepped down from her role as Chief Creative Officer at The Honest Company in April 2024.
Announced separation from husband Cash Warren
Publicly announced separation from Cash Warren on January 16, 2025.
Filed for divorce from Cash Warren
Filed for divorce the month after announcing separation (reported in February 2025).
Reportedly dating actor Danny Ramirez
Media reported Alba was dating actor Danny Ramirez as of July 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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