Jami Beth Gertz secured her first film credit in 1981 through the romance Endless Love, initiating a multi-decade career in film and television. Discovered during a nationwide talent search led by Norman Lear, she subsequently transitioned through dramatic and comedic roles in both independent features and major network sitcoms while expanding her reach into professional sports ownership.
Early Career and Television Breakthroughs
Born in 1965 in Chicago, Gertz attended Maine East High School before moving to New York University to study drama. Her early television presence included a guest appearance on Diff'rent Strokes and a recurring part on The Facts of Life. By the early 1980s, she landed a co-starring role in the sitcom Square Pegs. Following a brief departure from acting to design scents for Lanvin in Paris, she returned to film work in the United States.
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The 1980s proved significant for her filmography with roles in Crossroads, Quicksilver, Solarbabies, and the 1987 dramas Less than Zero and The Lost Boys. In 1994, she appeared in a notable episode of Seinfeld and the television movie This Can't Be Love. Her later work included a supporting role in the 1996 blockbuster Twister and a recurring part on ER. From 2002 to 2006, she played Judy Miller on the sitcom Still Standing. She later appeared in Entourage, Modern Family, and starred in the ABC sitcom The Neighbors from 2012 to 2014.
Business Interests and Philanthropy
Outside of entertainment, Gertz and her husband, Tony Ressler, maintain significant business interests. In 2015, they became owners of the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association, with Gertz representing the franchise during NBA draft lottery events between 2018 and 2020. They were also part of an investment group led by Mark Attanasio that purchased the Milwaukee Brewers. Gertz received a producer credit for the 2011 film A Better Life and serves on the board of the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Chicago
- Education: Maine East High School; New York University
- Spouse: Tony Ressler (married 1989)
- Professional Sports Ownership: Atlanta Hawks; Milwaukee Brewers
- Religion: Judaism
- Language: English
Questions readers ask
What is Jami Gertz known for in professional sports?
She and her husband, Tony Ressler, are owners of the Atlanta Hawks and were part of the group that purchased the Milwaukee Brewers.
Did Jami Gertz appear in any famous 1980s films?
Yes, she acted in films including Less than Zero and The Lost Boys, both released in 1987.
Achievements
- Educated at New York University and Maine East High School
- Worked as actor, television actor and film actor
