Jami Gertz on Diet, Flawless Skin, and Finding Your Inner Audrey Hepburn

Jami Gertz and I speak the same language. It revolves around Very Bad Chicago Food Groups.

Basically, in the Windy City, food is broken down into three distinct categories: Pizza, hotdogs and everything else.

Last weekend, Jami Gertz –TV and film star turned producer – did something extremely sinful according to Hollywood standards.

"I went home to Chicago and had a hot dog. I didn't care. It brought back memories of my childhood," says Gertz who has a to-die-for figure. But more on that in a moment.

Jami fondly remembers her Chicago childhood that was not unlike my own. "Let me tell you something. Hotdogs were a staple of my existence," she says with a laugh. "I ate the best pizza. We even ate McDonalds every other day as kids.

"It's remarkable how things have changed," she says. "Of course, in those days we ate a flat hamburger patty and not a triple burger. It's like everything has gone haywire."

"But one of my fondest childhood memories is going home and eating Sara Lee baked goods from the tin. After the McDonalds!" she says with a giggle. "Oh, it was good times."

WHEN IN DOUBT CHANNEL AUDREY

Jami is still having great times. Professionally, she has added producer to her list of credits. And what a great start. Jami produced the critically acclaimed new film "A Better Life" about a Hispanic father and an illegal trying to give his son a better life in Los Angeles.

Fans will also remember Jami from movies like "The Lost Boys" and "Twister," plus the series "ER" and "Still Standing." She also played a speed demon neighbor in a recent favorite episode of "Modern Family" called "Slow Down Your Neighbors."

Jami is also Mom to three boys, ages 19, 16, and 12.

She says this stage of life has brought up a few fashion concerns that she has easily answered.

She says it's all about finding your inner Audrey. Confused about what to wear? Wondering about a sleek hairstyle post 45?

"I think it's all about aging with grace and dignity," says Jami. "I always think of Audrey Hepburn in her crisp white shirts and black flats."

"My motto is still: Always look like a lady."

EXERCISE IS KEY

"We are lucky that we live in a time where we know more about exercise," she says. "There is no way around the fact that all of us need to move."

Jami lives in Los Angeles where it's easy to put on your Nikes and hit a trail. "I've always loved going hiking. I go bike riding. I take Pilates and a little bit of yoga.

"I like to eat," she says. "If I'm going to eat then I gotta exercise."

SKIN, HAIR, GROOMING. OH MY

"I'm blessed with good genes when it comes to skin and hair," she says. "My grandmother had the most amazing skin."

Jami says her skin care regime is simple. "I just use a cleanser followed by an astringent with some moisturizer," she says. "Then I add a ton of sunblock.

"You have to slather on the sunblock," she says. "You gotta do it. You can't forget"

One tip is to keep some in your car.

She says diet is also important. "You know what not to put in your body. For me, I won't eat anything that's not natural," she says.

Her motivation is her sons. "I have three sons who look at me and I'm trying to make them proud."

LOOKING AHEAD

"I'm so happy to discover what's ahead," she says. "I do know that I'm older now thanks to the recent royal wedding.

"I remember watching the first royal wedding," she says. "Now, I'm looking at these two beautiful young people who have so much ahead of them. They haven't even had their first child.

"I remember bringing that baby home and thinking, 'Now what do we do?'"

Jami doesn't lament that she can't do it all over again. "I'm so blessed that I still have my parents. I'm in a marriage of 22 years and I have three kids who still like me."

FULL SPEED AHEAD

Jami recently added a new title: Producer.

 "It's pretty great. The nice thing is that I can avoid wardrobe and makeup. But you do worry about everything and everyone on a movie set.

" What helped me here was being a mom. As a mom you're the producer for your family and get everyone everywhere while making sure they're successful and that they're fed. You have to help steer the ship in the right direction," she says.

Her production company is called Lime Orchard Productions.

"When my husband I earned enough money when we were younger, we bought a house on Lime Orchard in California. It was our American dream. Our launching pad. So it fit for the new company," she says.

She is also an actress for hire. On "Modern Family" last season she played a Type A personality and speed demon that races through the neighborhood and irks Claire.

"I did all my own driving," she boasts.

"In Chicago as a teen, I had Camaros and Trans Ams around. Stick shifts. Super Tramp on the radio. So, I proudly did the driving for what was a great episode." 

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