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Woman's World
6 Surprising Facts About Jami Gertz, the Underrated Star of the Original ‘Twister’
By Abbey Bender,
6 days ago
As summer winds down, it’s clear that Twisters , the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister , has been one of the biggest movies of the season. While none of the original stars of Twister returned for the sequel, we’re taking a look back at Jami Gertz, who played Dr. Melissa Reeves, the fiancée of the storm chasing protagonist, Bill Harding ( Bill Paxton ).
Gertz’s character was often overshadowed by Helen Hunt (who played Bill’s meteorologist ex-wife), but she’s grown to be more appreciated over time, and the actress has had an intriguing career before and after Twister . Here are some things you might not have known about her.
Plus, learn how he felt Bill Paxton’s presence on the ‘Twister’s set
1. Helen Hunt said Jami Gertz was Twister ’s “secret sauce”
In an interview looking back at the original Twister this year, Helen Hunt revealed that she thought Jami Gertz was underrated in the film, saying, “Jami Gertz doesn't get all the glory like Bill and I did. She had to ask all the expositional questions. She had to be the one that wasn't as cool as me, who you wanted to be with. In some early drafts of the script, they were kind of catty with each other, but we both thought, ‘Boy, is that a mistake,’ and we just never did that. She had the less flashy part, but I think she was part of the secret sauce that made it fun to watch. Maybe more than people realize.”
Jami Gertz in Twister (1996) Warner Bros./MovieStillsDB
2. She was discovered by a TV icon
As a teen, Gertz was discovered by Norman Lear , the creator of sitcoms like All in the Family , One Day at a Time and The Jeffersons , when she won a talent search he was sponsoring. This auspicious start led her to be cast in the comedy Square Pegs , in which she played a preppy high school student.
Jami Gertz and Sarah Jessica Parker in Square Pegs (1982) CBS/MovieStillsDB
3. Jami Gertz was in a number of classic '80s movies
While not officially considered a Brat Pack member, Gertz was in a variety of youth-driven '80s classics. She had a small part in the 1984 John Hughes hit Sixteen Candles and in 1987 she starred as a cocaine-addicted model in Less Than Zero and a half-vampire in The Lost Boys .
Looking back at her '80s roles, Gertz said, “ I went down a very different path . I kind of got married and had children much earlier, and I made different choices in movies. So, yeah, I had a very different path, yet people kind of still think, ‘Were you in the Brat Pack?’ But, no, I didn’t even really know many of the people in the Brat Pack.”
Jami Gertz in 1986 Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
4. She almost played Rachel in Friends
It’s hard to picture anyone but Jennifer Aniston playing Rachel in Friends , but Gertz was originally offered her role . She ultimately turned it down, and the rest is history. Gertz went on to star in the sitcoms Still Standing (2002 to 2006) and The Neighbors (2012 to 2014).
Gertz has been married to billionaire businessman Tony Ressler since 1989, and they have three sons. Along with her husband, she’s a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team. She admitted, “ It’s not your everyday Hollywood actress tale ,” but has been closely involved with the NBA team and its players.
Jami Gertz before an Atlanta Hawks game in 2017 Ronald Martinez/Getty
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