Jami Gertz has crafted a distinguished reputation in film, television and theater. During her extensive career, she has amassed a variety of impressive credits and has exhibited astonishing versatility with her commanding portrayals of a wide range of characters.

Gertz is currently starring in CBS's popular comedy "Still Standing." She stars opposite Mark Addy ("The Full Monty") as a no-nonsense working mother who often loses patience with her husband's (Addy) juvenile behavior. The show leads CBS' Wednesday nights airing at 8:00PM.

Gertz stars in Scott Marshall's "Keeping Up With The Steins" opposite Jeremy Piven, Gary Marshall, Darryl Hannah and Doris Roberts. "Keeping Up With The Steins" is a comedic yet poignant experience for a family to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah in Hollywood. Gertz plays Joanne Feilder, a thoughtful and even-tempered mother who balances out her husband's personality. She gets caught up in the Bar Mitzvah excitement, but really only wants what is best for her son. Miramax (Disney) is releasing this movie in May 2006.

Gertz was also recently seen in the Lifetime television movie “Fighting the Odds.” Gertz portrayed Marilyn Gambrell, a real life parole officer who set up a pioneer program to help children of incarcerated parents. The movie premiered on the Lifetime Channel in July 2005.

In 2003, Gertz was seen in "Undercover Christmas" for CBS. Co-starring Tyne Daly, the telepic centered on a conservative FBI agent who is forced to take a federal witness (played by Gertz) home for the holidays.

In 2002, Gertz was seen in the title role on ABC's "Gilda Radner: It's Always Something" for Merv Griffin Entertainment and Winsome Entertainment in association with Jaffe/Braunstein Films. The biopic was based on Radner's autobiography.

Also in 2002, Gertz was nominated for an Emmy for her role on the critically acclaimed television series "Ally McBeal." She guest starred in a four-episode arc as Kimmy Bishop, an old law school classmate of Ally's (Calista Flockhart). She reprised the Emmy nominated role when Kimmy hired the firm to help her sue a match maker for deeming her "unmatchable."

Gertz is widely recognized for her role as a sex therapist in "Twister" in which she co-starred opposite Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. She also starred in the romantic comedy "Jersey Girl"; in "Less Than Zero" (based on the best selling novel by Bret Easton Ellis) with James Spader and Robert Downey, Jr.; and in "The Lost Boys" with Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric.

Gertz was discovered at age sixteen in a nationwide talent search for the CBS sit-com "Square Pegs," opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. Since then, she has appeared on several hit television shows including "Seinfeld," "ER" and "Dream On."

On stage, Gertz appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Garry Marshall's "Wrong Turn at Lung Fish" with the late George C. Scott and Tony Danza. She also starred in "Come Back Little Sheba" with Tyne Daly and "Out of Gas on Lover's Leap" with Jason Patric.

Gertz, a Chicago native, lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three sons.

Show full bio

Hide full bio