JoAnna Garcia Swisher was born in Tampa, Florida. She began performing at the age of ten, when she auditioned for a local theater production and landed the lead. She continued to act in high school where she was discovered by Nickelodeon and commuted from Florida to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to star for two seasons in the television series, _"Are You Afraid of the Dark?" . After graduating from high school, she spent a year attending Florida State University, but dropped out to move to Hollywood where she worked extensively in television and then in popular movies.
Played the Presidents daughter in the original pilot for the TV show "DAG" . However, the show was revamped before airing and her character was eliminated.
Joanna is a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Was homecoming queen at Floridas Tampa Catholic High School.
Dad Jay is a gynecologist, mom Loraine is a homemaker and brother Michael is a medical school student.
Is of Cuban descent.
In her spare time, she teaches junior high school students English as a second language.
Attended Independent Day School in Tampa, a local private school.
Was engaged to Trace Ayala [June 18, 2008 - August 2009].
Her "Reba" co-stars, Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman , were both bridesmaids at her wedding.
Her "Reba" co-star, Christopher Rich , performed the ceremony at her wedding to New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher.
(December 11, 2010) Married her boyfriend of 16 months Nick Swisher following a 6-month-long engagement.
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 33, a daughter Emerson Jay Swisher on May 21, 2013. Childs father is her husband, Nick Swisher.
Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 36, a daughter named Sailor Stevie Swisher on June 28, 2016. Childs father is her husband, Nick Swisher.
She has portrayed wives of two different Mercury astronauts; Julie Shepherd in "From the Earth to the Moon," and Betty Grissom in "The Astronaut Wives Club.".
I definitely am afraid of the dark. Somehow, in my mind I can always,come up with some horrific stuff to worry about. .
