Jennifer Garner Says She Bit Co-Star’s Ear ‘Like Mike Tyson’ During Intense Fight Scene
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Date: February 6, 2026
Jennifer Garner captivated reporters and co-stars this week with a startling behind-the-scenes story about her long-running commitment to realism on set — including one moment she likened to boxing legend Mike Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident. ([turn0search22][turn0news33])
The 53-year-old actress shared the anecdote during an Apple TV press event promoting the second season of her hit series The Last Thing He Told Me. While reflecting on her career, Garner recounted a brutal fight scene from her 2007 action film The Kingdom with actor and stunt performer Sala Baker — a moment that ended with her biting off a chunk of Baker’s ear during a scene meant to feel raw and unchoreographed. ([turn0search20][turn0news0])
The Moment That Shocked the Room
Garner explained that the film’s director, Pete Berg, encouraged both performers to treat the fight with fierce realism rather than carefully planned choreography. “He told him to try to kill me,” she said, describing the direction given for the scene. With adrenaline high and few guidelines, Garner said she and Baker found themselves in a genuine physical scuffle that culminated with her scrambling onto his back and biting his ear. “We have a picture of him missing a chunk of ear because we were not kidding,” she told the audience. ([turn0search20][turn0search24])
When The Last Thing He Told Me co-star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau reacted in disbelief — asking, “Can we just go over that again? You bit a piece of his ear off?” — Garner quipped, “Like Mike Tyson.” The remark referred to the notorious 1997 boxing match in which Tyson bit part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear. ([turn0search22][turn0news33])
Despite the graphic nature of the story, Garner delivered it with a mix of humor and candidness, reassuring the room that both she and Baker were fine while underscoring her dedication to immersive performances.
From Old Drama to New Thrills
The Kingdom — a political action thriller about an FBI team confronting terrorism overseas — starred Garner as an FBI agent and Baker as a hostile adversary, with the cast including Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman. The anecdote resurfaced as Garner and Baker reunited nearly two decades later to film another fight sequence for The Last Thing He Told Me, based on Laura Dave’s bestselling novel. ([turn0search22][turn0search20])
During the press event, Garner revealed that the reunion fight scenes carried forward the same intensity, prompting crew members early in production to ask if they could dial things back. Her response? “No, no, no, no, he’s not going to be careful. I’m not going to be careful… I have a score to settle here.” ([turn0search22][turn0search30])
Garner’s Savvy and Sense of Humor
Throughout the discussion, Garner combined candid storytelling with trademark wit, offering fans a rare glimpse into the physical demands and unpredictability of filming action sequences. Her willingness to share such an extreme moment — joking about her on-set ferocity — stood out amid the typical promotional chatter.
The anecdote also highlighted her deep connection to her craft: The Last Thing He Told Me has evolved into a platform where Garner embraces complex characters and physical storytelling, often bridging her past film experience with her current television work.
What’s Next for Fans
The Last Thing He Told Me returns for its second season on Apple TV+ on February 20, 2026. The series continues to explore themes of mystery, family bonds and survival, with Garner at its center. As she and her castmates draw audiences back into the story, the ear-biting revelation adds a memorable off-screen chapter to the show’s evolving legacy. ([turn0news33])
