Jennifer Garner used to be a film "snob".

Cast member Jennifer Garner poses at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theater in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1.

The 'Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' actress studied for a drama degree at Denison University, Ohio, but admits she was previously only interested in a career in theater.

She explained: "I certainly never expected to be in front of a camera one day of my life. Even when I was studying acting, I wouldn't even go into the film department of my school. I was only about the stage. I didn't even consider film or TV. I was a total snob.

"Then when I moved to New York and was trying to get a job on stage, and was broke and got offered a TV movie, I was like, 'Hot dog, put me in front of that camera!' "

The 37-year-old actress revealed her family were initially shocked by her decision to become an actress.

Jennifer, whose father is a chemical engineer and mother an English teacher, originally started out studying chemistry at university.

She said: "I just realised that I liked drama more than science."

(China Daily/Agencies May 11, 2009)