Jennifer Garner revealed she once bit a chunk out of an actor’s ear during a chaotic fight scene, comparing the incident to Mike Tyson’s infamous 1997 boxing match with Evander Holyfield.
The 53-year-old actress made the startling admission during an Apple TV press day event at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, where she discussed reuniting with actor and stunt performer Sala Baker for the second season of “The Last Thing He Told Me.”
The bite happened nearly 20 years ago during the 2007 action film “The Kingdom,” which also starred Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman. Baker, now 49, played a character credited as The Kidnapper in the film directed by Peter Berg.
Garner explained that the director gave both performers unusual instructions that led to the ear-biting incident. “Peter Berg, who was the director, told him to try to kill me. We did not have a lot of choreography, and he told me to do anything I could to survive.”
The result was a fight scene that went beyond typical Hollywood choreography. Garner scrambled onto Baker’s back during the intense sequence and bit his ear. A photo exists of Baker missing a chunk of ear from the incident.
The revelation came after the panel viewed a clip from season two of “The Last Thing He Told Me,” which showed a fight scene with Baker. In the new show, Baker plays a uniformed man at the door who enters Hannah Hall’s kitchen for a fierce battle.
When the two reunited on set for the first or second day of shooting season two, the crew expressed concern about the intensity of their fight choreography. The crew asked if they could be careful with her, but she had other plans.
“I was like, ‘No, no, no, no, he’s not going to be careful. I’m not going to be careful. Just back out of the way. I have a score to settle here,'” Garner explained. Baker remained with them for the entire season.
The story shocked Garner’s co-star Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, who was at the Tuesday panel alongside executive producer and author Laura Dave, who moderated the event. Coster-Waldau paused the conversation to confirm what he had just heard.
Garner referenced the boxing legend’s notorious moment when he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during their 1997 match. Tyson’s ear-biting incident remains one of the most shocking moments in boxing history, resulting in his disqualification from the fight.
Coster-Waldau responded with mock disbelief at the audience’s reaction, and the exchange prompted him to quickly backpedal, saying he loved his co-star.
The panel discussion also featured actresses Angourie Rice, Judy Greer and Rita Wilson. Garner serves as both the executive producer and leading star of “The Last Thing He Told Me,” which is based on the novel of the same name by Laura Dave. Dave, who authored the book, also serves as executive producer.
The Apple TV series follows Hannah Hall, who forms an unexpected relationship with her stepdaughter Bailey, played by Rice, after her husband mysteriously disappears.
Season two of “The Last Thing He Told Me” premieres on Apple TV on February 20, 2026. The streaming service is continuing the story beyond Dave’s original novel with a sequel that Dave has also written.
Garner’s willingness to commit fully to fight scenes comes as no surprise to those familiar with her action work. The actress built her reputation on physical performances, with Garner treating the physical sequences as carefully rehearsed performances that require precision and commitment. The actress has spoken about the importance of making fight scenes feel authentic and grounded, even when they involve Hollywood stunts and special effects.
Baker brings extensive experience to his role, having worked as both an actor and stunt performer across numerous high-profile productions throughout his career. His background in physical performance made him an ideal scene partner for Garner’s intense fight sequences in both “The Kingdom” and “The Last Thing He Told Me.”
The story of Garner’s ear-biting incident has quickly circulated across entertainment media, with fans expressing both shock and amusement at the actress’s commitment to her craft. The anecdote provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the sometimes extreme nature of Hollywood action filmmaking, where the line between choreographed performance and genuine physical intensity can blur.
The event gave Garner and her co-stars an opportunity to promote the upcoming season and share stories from production. The panel format, attended by 300 journalists, allowed for candid moments like the ear-biting revelation, which might not emerge during more formal press interviews.
As season two approaches its premiere date, fans of “The Last Thing He Told Me” can expect more intense action sequences featuring Garner and Baker’s reunion on screen. Based on Garner’s comments about settling scores and refusing to hold back, the new fight scenes promise to deliver the same level of physical commitment that characterized their original collaboration in “The Kingdom.”