JoAnna Lynne Garcia Swisher
| Stage Name / Nickname: | Joanna |
| Date of Birth: | August 10, 1979 (Age 45) |
| Place of Birth: | Tampa, Florida, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Figure Measurements: | 36-25-36 |
| Net Worth: | $8 million (2025) |
| Height: | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Education: | Briefly attended Florida State University |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Nick Swisher (m. 2010) |
| Children: | Two daughters (born 2013, 2016) |
| Parents: | Jay Garcia (deceased 2019), Loraine Garcia |
| Siblings: | Michael Garcia (brother) |
| Known For: | Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Freaks and Geeks, Reba, Privileged, Better with You, Once Upon a Time, Sweet Magnolias |
Early Life & Education
JoAnna Lynne Garcia was born on August 10, 1979, in Tampa, Florida, to Jay Garcia, a Cuban-born gynecologist, and Loraine Garcia, a homemaker and former elementary school teacher. She was discovered early by Disney Channel but prioritized schooling and participated in local theater productions before fully committing to acting. Joanna graduated from Tampa Catholic High School, where she was homecoming queen, and briefly attended Florida State University before moving to Hollywood to pursue acting.
Career
Breakthrough Roles & Television Success
Joanna gained early recognition as Sam in Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1994–96), and as Vicki Appleby in the cult classic Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000). Her most notable role was Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery on The WB/CW sitcom Reba (2001–2007), appearing in 125 episodes and earning broad popularity.
She later starred in other TV series including Privileged (2008–09), Better with You (2010–11), Animal Practice (2012–13), Once Upon a Time (2013–18) as Ariel/Greer, The Astronaut Wives Club (2015), and currently Sweet Magnolias (2020–present), which has enjoyed positive reception on Netflix.
Joanna also hosted two seasons of Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Queer Love starting in 2023 and launched a home décor collection called “Clover by Jo” in 2022.
Film Work
Her film credits include Not Another Teen Movie (2001), American Pie 2 (2001), Fist Fight (2017), and TV movies such as As Luck Would Have It (2021).
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994–96 | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Sam |
| 1999–2000 | Freaks and Geeks | Vicki Appleby |
| 2001–07 | Reba | Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery |
| 2008–09 | Privileged | Megan Smith |
| 2010–11 | Better with You | Mia Putney |
| 2012–13 | Animal Practice | Dorothy Crane |
| 2013–18 | Once Upon a Time | Ariel/Greer |
| 2015 | The Astronaut Wives Club | Betty Grissom |
| 2017 | Fist Fight | Maggie |
| 2020– | Sweet Magnolias | Maddie Townsend |
| 2021 | As Luck Would Have It | Lindsey Johnson |
| 2023 | The Ultimatum: Queer Love | Host |
Net Worth & Business Ventures
Joanna Garcia Swisher is estimated to have a net worth of $8 million as of 2025, built through her extensive career in television and film, hosting roles, and business ventures including her home décor line launched in 2022.
Personal Life
Joanna married former professional baseball player Nick Swisher in December 2010. The couple has two daughters, born in 2013 and 2016. Friends and fellow actresses such as Reba McEntire and Jamie-Lynn Sigler were among her bridesmaids. Joanna is known for her charitable work, including teaching English as a second language and supporting organizations focused on young women’s empowerment and cervical cancer awareness.
Trivia
- Was discovered by Disney Channel but her parents prioritized her education.
- Was homecoming queen in high school.
- Active charity supporter, involved in several causes empowering young women.
- Has graced covers of magazines like Latina and Southern Living.
- Known for balancing a successful acting career with business and family life.
Upcoming Projects
- Continuing work on Sweet Magnolias seasons.
- New film and television projects in development.
- Expansion of her home décor brand Clover by Jo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joanna Garcia Swisher?
An American actress and businesswoman known for roles in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Freaks and Geeks, Reba, Once Upon a Time, and Sweet Magnolias.
How old is she?
She is 45 years old, born on August 10, 1979.
What is her net worth?
Her net worth is approximately $8 million as of 2025.
Who is Joanna Garcia Swisher married to?
She married former MLB player Nick Swisher in 2010, and they have two daughters.