Iconic '80s Actor Jami Gertz Makes The Transition To Gray Hair Look So Chic

It's official: Emmy-nominated actor Jami Gertz has joined the ranks of celebrities who proudly show off their gray hair, and she absolutely rocks it. Back in the '80s, the "Sixteen Candles" star had naturally gorgeous curly brunette locks that fit right in with the big-hair craze of the era, and demanded almost as much attention as her work as an actor. Fast forward to the 2020s, and beauty standards have shifted considerably, but Gertz seems to feel no pressure to keep up.

This is a big deal, especially for women who were considered It-girls at one point or another. Many feel the pressure to keep up with certain standards, which in turn, fuels the predatory beauty industry that profits off women's insecurities. Courage to defy beauty norms aside, what has us really impressed from a fashion standpoint, is the fact that Gertz is nailing all the tried-and-true methods to transition to gray the right way.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images & Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

The major no-no when it comes to going gray is diving right in without a plan, and from her recent photos, it's clear that this was not the case. We can tell that her transition has been well-managed because of how well put-together it looks, despite the fact that her hair isn't entirely gray yet. There are no signs of over-processing, and the curls work with the texture change, which is common with graying hair. More importantly, when we compare photos from 2012 to 2025, her hair health has held up remarkably well. Going gray isn't for everyone, but Gertz makes it look easy.

Hair choices aside, Jami Gertz seems to be taking a natural approach to her entire beauty routine, which isn't very Hollywood. Sure, it's a lot easier to set your own standards when you're a literal billionaire, but it's also true that some of the most intense beauty fads, such as the plastic surgery craze, are driven by Hollywood's richest. One reason we love Gertz's approach is perfectly explained by her appearance at the opening gala for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in April 2026.

There were no plastic surgery tells, overdone Botox or fillers, or overboard attempts to hide natural signs of aging. Instead, Gertz seemed to direct her efforts toward looking experienced and glamorous. She wore select designer pieces, including a white coat with silver botanical patterns from Libertine and a white silver-embellished bag from Khaite. Taking in the outfit, well-done hair, and hydrated-looking skin, we have no doubt that she drops serious bucks on her beauty routine. But it's clearly more focused on aging with grace rather than denying aging.

Of course, this doesn't mean that choosing to hold out on going gray or having wrinkles is wrong, but it is important to avoid getting swept away by beauty practices that do more harm than good. For example, if you're not as brave as Gertz but don't want to get into a chemical-heavy hair routine to hide your grays, there are natural ways to cover gray hair without going to the salon.