Jami Gertz

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Jami Beth Gertz (born October 28, 1965) is an American actress. Gertz is known for her early roles in the films Sixteen Candles, Crossroads, The Lost Boys, Less Than Zero, the 1980s TV series Square Pegs with Sarah Jessica Parker, and 1996's Twister, as well as for her role as Judy Miller in the CBS sitcom Still Standing with Mark Addy.

Career

She was discovered in a nationwide talent search by Norman Lear, and she studied drama at NYU. Gertz made her film debut in the 1981 romance film Endless Love, which was followed by a co-starring role in the 1982-83 TV series Square Pegs. After its cancellation, she appeared in the teen movie Sixteen Candles in 1984. She gained attention with a starring role in 1987's Less Than Zero, as the friend of a doomed drug addict played by Robert Downey, Jr. She also starred in the 1987 film The Lost Boys as Star, the "half vampire" girlfriend, with Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric.

After working in Paris as a scent designer for Lanvin, Gertz returned to America and landed a key supporting role in the 1996 blockbuster Twister after other films including 1986's Solarbabies and Crossroads also the 1989 film Listen to Me with Kirk Cameron and 1992's Jersey Girl. In the 1994 episode of Seinfeld, "The Stall", she appeared as one of Jerry's girlfriends who works as a phone sex operator and can't "spare a square" of toilet paper to Elaine in the restroom. Gertz later played the recurring character Dr. Nina Pomerantz during the 1997 season of ER. She reportedly was offered, but declined, the role of Monica Geller, during pre-production of Friends.

In 2000, Gertz took up a recurring role on the Fox hit Ally McBeal as Kimmy Bishop, John Cage's love interest. Gertz was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She returned to this role in one more episode as a guest star in the show's final season in 2002.

Also In 2002, she portrayed Gilda Radner in the television movie Gilda Radner: It's Always Something. Gertz's character on Still Standing, Judy Miller, is named after a character Radner portrayed on Saturday Night Live.

Gertz was in one episode of Diff'rent Strokes along with Andrew Dice Clay. She also had a recurring role on The Facts of Life as Blair's friend and fellow schoolmate Boots St. Clair. In 2003 Gertz starred as Brandy, a wanted criminal's girlfriend, in Undercover Christmas, and in 2005 Gertz played the lead role in the TV film Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story.

In 2009-10 she had a recurring role as Marlo Klein, wife of Ari Gold's newest business partner Andrew Klein, an agent at Miller-Gold Talent Agency, on HBO's Entourage. In 2011, she returned to broadcast television with a guest role in the Modern Family episode "Slow Down Your Neighbors".

Personal life

Gertz was born in Chicago, Illinois, but lived in the city's close suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. Jami attended Maine East High School and was a 1983 graduate. She is the daughter of Sharon and Walter Gertz, who was a builder and contractor. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband Anthony Ressler (b. July 16, 1959) and their three sons: Oliver Jordan Ressler (b. May 6, 1992), Nicholas Simon Ressler (b. February 17, 1995) and Theo Ressler (b. 1998). Gertz and her husband are members of the investment group led by Mark Attanasio that purchased the MLB franchise Milwaukee Brewers. Gertz-Ressler High Academy is named after Jami and her husband.

She has two brothers, Michael and Scott. Gertz is Jewish, and was raised in Conservative Judaism.

Filmography

1981 On the Right Track Big Girl

1981 Endless Love Patty

1982–1983 Square Pegs Muffy Tepperman 20 episodes

1983 Diff'rent Strokes Lindsey Episode: "My Fair Larry"

1983 For Members Only Monica Mitchell TV movie

1983–1984 The Facts of Life Boots St. Claire 4 episodes

1984 Family Ties Jocelyn Clark Episode: "Double Date"

1984 Alphabet City Sophia

1984 Sixteen Candles Robin

1984 Dreams Martha Spino 12 episodes

1985 Mischief Rosalie

1986 Quicksilver Terri

1986 Crossroads Frances

1986 Solarbabies Terra

1987 The Lost Boys Star

1987 Less Than Zero Blair

1989 Listen to Me Monica Tomanski

1989 Silence Like Glass Eva Martin

1989 Renegades Barbara

1990 Don't Tell Her It's Me Emily Pear

1990 Sibling Rivalry Jeanine

1991–1992 Sibs Lily Ruscio 22 episodes

1992 Jersey Girl Toby

1994 Seinfeld Jane Episode: "The Stall"

1994 This Can't Be Love Sarah TV movie

1994 Related by Birth Lily TV short

1994 Dream On Jane Harnick Episdoe: "The Taking of Pablum 1-2-3: Part 1"

Episode: "The Taking of Pablum 1-2-3: Part 2"

1995 Dream On Martin's Lover Episode: "Take Two Tablets, and Get Me to Mt. Sinai"

1995 Hudson Street Allison Episode: "Bells & Whistles"

1996 Twister Dr. Melissa Reeves

1997 ER Dr. Nina Pomerantz 6 episodes

1999 Seven Girlfriends Lisa

2000–2002 Ally McBeal Kimmy Bishop 5 episodes

2001 True Love TV movie

2001 Lip Service Kat

2002 Gilda Radner: It's Always Something Gilda Radner TV movie

2002–2006 Still Standing Judy Miller 88 episodes

2003 Undercover Christmas Brandi O'Neill TV movie

2005 Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story Marilyn Gambrell TV movie

2006 Keeping Up with the Steins Joanne Fielder

2006 Shark Sara Metcalfe Episode: "Sins of the Mother"

2007 Lost Holiday: The Jim & Suzanne Shemwell Story Suzanne Shemwell TV movie

2009–2010 Entourage Marlo Klein 5 episodes

2011 Modern Family Laura Episode: "Slow Down Your Neighbors"

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[Slammin' Sam]

Good Thread idea! I like Jami-she was one hot Momma on the American sitcom, Still Standing!

[Sweet Lu]

ya know, she is one of those actresses that you never really realize how much she has done until someone points it out.

good thread