Jami Gertz was discovered by Norman Lear in a nationwide talent search that was conducted while she was studying drama at NYU. She officially entered show business in 1981 as she was cast in the movie Endless Love. After her big screen debut, she co-starred on the series Square Pegs as the character Muffy Tepperman. She then moved on to appear on The Facts of Life, Dreams and the film Sixteen Candles. From 1985 to 1990, Gertz concentrated on working on films like Crossroads, Quicksilver, The Lost Boys, Silence Like Glass Renegades, The Boyfriend School and Sibling Rivalry.
In 1991, Gertz landed the role of Lily Ruscio on the Sibs. Several years after, she played Dr. Nina Pomerantz on ER, Kimmy Bishop on Ally McBeal, and Marlo Klein on Entourage. But her most famous role thus far was playing Judy Miller on the sitcom Still Standing, which lasted from 2002 to 2006.
In 2012, Gertz was cast on the comedy series The Neighbors as Debbie Weaver.