ComScore

Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo Recreate Nostalgic ‘13 Going on 30’ Scene During His Walk of Fame Ceremony

This is so iconic

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Jennifer Garner Mark Ruffalo Hollywood Walk of Fame CAT2
MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

13 Going on 30 stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo just reunited and it feels so good.

On February 8, Ruffalo received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And Garner, who notably starred opposite the actor in the early 2000s rom-com, was one of the special guests to appear at the ceremony. While posing for photographers, the former castmates recreated their iconic “Thriller” dance scene from the movie. 

Jennifer Garner Mark Ruffalo Thriller Dance CAT
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In the film, Garner’s character Jenna (wearing the famous rainbow dress) starts dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Ruffalo’s Matt nervously joins in. 

Garner also gave a speech at the ceremony and shared how her 13 Going on 30 castmate wanted to quit making the movie after rehearsing the dance. 

While referring to Ruffalo’s former rom-com co-stars, the Alias actress said (per E! News), “I wonder if he tried to drop out of their films like he did out of ours after the first rehearsal of the ‘Thriller’ dance, where Mark went from kind of shocked that we actually had to do this, to antsy, to a deathly quiet, to, ‘Bro, this is not for me.’”

Luckily, the duo’s recent “Thriller” dance break was captured on camera. After the ceremony, Ruffalo shared the clip on Instagram and wrote a touching message to his former co-star. 

The Incredible Hulk star wrote in the caption, “Jennifer, it’s been twenty years of everything. To have you there today giving me a star was so perfect and so beautiful and moving to me. Thank you old friend. So grateful for your panache, class, and humor. You are one of the greatest people. Thank you.”

13 Going on 30 follows a teenage girl named Jenna, who wakes up one day as a 30-year-old fashion editor. Upon its release, the film was a success, earning $22 million in its first week in theaters. 

Alexa, play Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”


Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.


karelle mckay headshot e1678464959710

Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

Karelle McKay is the Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment at PureWow. Before she started writing about all things pop culture, she was a literal couch potato who loved...