As an actor, Jami Gertz was the all-American girl next door from Square Pegs who could just as easily turn up the heat as the rebellious heartbreaker in ’80s teen classics like The Lost Boys. Today, the 59-year-old star is better known as one half of a billionaire power couple, the mother of three children, and the owner of an NBA team.
When you think of the effortlessly cool Jami Gertz, you probably picture her as the perky preppy teen from Square Pegs and Facts of Life, or the sultry 80’s heartbreaker in Quicksilver and Less than Zero.
Gertz was the “it girl” of the decade – playing runaways, half-vampires, troubled teens, and characters with a wild streak.
But her story didn’t end with Hollywood fame. Over the years, Gertz has evolved into something far bigger: a billionaire philanthropist, a devoted wife and mother, and, in a move no one saw coming, an NBA team owner.
Becoming a star
Born in 1965 to parents Sharyn and Walter Gertz, Jami grew up in Glenview, Illinois, alongside her two brothers, Michael and Scott. Raised in a religious Jewish household, her faith was a cornerstone of her upbringing – so much so that she would sometimes miss school for high holidays, a practice she carried into her acting career.
Her family’s unwavering support played a huge role in her success.
When she was cast in Square Pegs – an 80’s sitcom that also starred Sarah Jessica Parker – her father reportedly flew to Los Angeles with her to help her transition into Hollywood life.
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