Jennifer Gareis has been on the soap scene since 1997, when she assumed the role of Grace Turner on The Young and the Restless. She played the role until 2004, returning briefly in 2014. She joined The Bold and the Beautiful in 2006 as Donna Logan.
Key Takeaways
- Jennifer Gareis joined The Bold and the Beautiful in 2006 as Donna Logan after portraying Grace Turner on The Young and the Restless in 1997.
- A Lancaster, Pennsylvania native, Gareis was a standout NCAA All-American swimmer before earning a degree in Accounting from Franklin & Marshall College.
- Before her soap career, she achieved success as a model and beauty queen, earning multiple titles and gracing the pages of major magazines.
- Married to Bobby Ghassemieh since 2010, she’s a proud mom of two and enjoys traveling with her family.
- Gareis earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2004 and multiple Soap Hub Award nods for Favorite Actress on B&B.
Double Dutch
Jennifer Gareis was born on August 1 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Honor Roll
Jennifer attended Franklin & Marshall College in her hometown, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. A standout student-athlete, she also achieved NCAA All-American honors for three consecutive years as one of the college’s top competitive swimmers—proving her drive and discipline long before her acting success.
Model Behavior
Before launching her successful acting career, Jennifer built an impressive résumé in the New York modeling world. She graced the pages of top magazines, including Glamour, Fitness, Esquire, and Women’s Wear Daily, earning recognition for her striking presence and versatility in front of the camera. Gareis made her mark long before stepping into the spotlight of daytime television. She proudly represented New York in the Miss USA Pageant, where she advanced to the prestigious Top Six on the nationally televised event. Her winning streak didn’t stop there—Jennifer also captured multiple titles, including Miss Hawaiian Tropic for two consecutive years, Miss Panama Jack, and Miss Mequita España, showcasing her poise, confidence, and star power early on.
The Matriarch
She’s been married to Bobby Ghassemieh since March 7, 2010, and they have a son, Gavin, and a daughter, Sophia. The family loves to travel, and last year Gareis visited the Italian Coast. In 2022, the family took a trip to Paris.
Peer Recognition
Jennifer was nominated in 2004 for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series. At the time of the nomination, she recounted to Soap Hub that the storyline involving Eric’s (John McCook) potential death was “very emotional” and that it was “an honor to be nominated.” She was also nominated in 2020 and 2021 as Favorite Actress for B&B in the Soap Hub Awards.
