Jennie Garth Opens Up About Painful Divorce from Husband Dave Abrams

The actress reveals the struggles of her brief separation and the lessons she's learned about people-pleasing.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:06pm

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Actress Jennie Garth recently opened up about her brief divorce from her husband, Dave Abrams, and the painful lessons she learned from her previous divorce from ex-husband Peter Facinelli. Garth and Abrams met on a blind double date in 2014 and married in 2015, but separated for 10 months in 2018 before reconciling. Garth also discussed the difficulties she faced after her 2012 divorce from Facinelli, including turning to alcohol and pills, which led to a serious health scare.

Why it matters

Garth's candid discussion of the challenges in her marriages and divorces provides insight into the personal struggles that many celebrities face, even those in the public eye. Her openness about her experiences with people-pleasing and substance abuse also highlights the importance of mental health awareness and self-care, especially for those in high-profile relationships.

The details

Dave Abrams is an actor known for roles in shows like 2 Broke Girls and films such as Open House. He is also the co-founder of a bar called The Douglas near Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. Garth and Abrams met on a blind double date in 2014 and married the following year. However, they briefly separated in 2018 when Abrams filed for divorce, before reconciling a year later. Garth also experienced a difficult period after her 2012 divorce from Peter Facinelli, her husband of 17 years, turning to alcohol and pills which led to a health scare.

  • Garth and Abrams met on a blind double date in December 2014.
  • Garth and Abrams married on July 11, 2015 in Los Olivos, California.
  • Abrams filed for divorce from Garth in April 2018, but the petition was dismissed a year later.
  • Garth's divorce from Peter Facinelli, her husband of 17 years, was finalized in 2012.

The players

Jennie Garth

An actress known for her roles in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and her recent candid discussions about her personal life and divorces.

Dave Abrams

An actor known for roles in shows like 2 Broke Girls and films such as Open House. He is also the co-founder of a bar called The Douglas near Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles.

Peter Facinelli

Jennie Garth's ex-husband of 17 years, with whom she has three children.

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What they’re saying

“You started to make me laugh, almost instantly. I was like, 'Hey, he's not just a pretty face. He's actually funny and fun to hang out with. I liked this guy'”

— Jennie Garth

“I thought you were, like, fun and beautiful and refreshing. And to the point. Not a lot of bulls***.”

— Dave Abrams

“She was drop-dead gorgeous. When I saw Jennie in her dress, nothing else mattered. I just lost it.”

— Dave Abrams

The takeaway

Garth's openness about the personal struggles in her marriages and divorces serves as a reminder that even high-profile celebrities face challenges in their relationships. Her experiences highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health, avoiding people-pleasing behaviors, and finding the courage to choose oneself, even in the face of societal pressures.