Ellen Pompeo and Husband Chris Ivery Grew Up 10 Miles From Each Other but Met in 2003

During a February 2019 interview with Us Weekly, Pompeo revealed that Avery had spent 25 years working in the music industry before deciding to change careers. During that time, Avery served as a cowriter for Rihanna's 2010 song "Cheers (Drink to That)," which was later performed in a 2012 episode of NBC's "Smash."

After working for 25 years as a music executive, Avery decided to pursue a new passion: clothing. As a longtime fan of the classic Italian sportswear label Sergio Tacchini, Avery found that he had a hard time finding the brand in stores. "As I got older, I was seeking it out and I was buying the brand from London," he told The Hollywood Reporter during a February 2019 interview. "That was literally the only place I could get it." Avery decided to reach out to the Tacchini team with an idea to relaunch the label in LA, and that's how the STLA Collection was created.

Pompeo told Us Weekly that she's "so proud" of her husband's accomplishment. "It's inspirational to change careers at 50," she said. "He's been in the music business for 25 years and he changed careers at 50. And he killed it. I mean, knocked it out of the park. It's amazing! So for anybody who feels they're stuck, you can change your career at any age."

According to Pompeo, Avery has a Jewish mother, and even though he wasn't raised in a religious household, he and Pompeo still like to celebrate Jewish holidays together. As the actor told Tel Aviv newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, "My husband didn't grow up in a religious family, and I didn't either, but we celebrate Hanukkah and Passover, and I would very much like to celebrate Shabbat evenings, too. I define myself more as a spiritual person than a religious one, but I want my children to learn and know the Jewish holidays that are so beautiful." Avery has a Star of David tattoo on his chest and often wears a Star of David chain as well.

Though they didn't meet until 2003 in an LA grocery store, both Avery and Pompeo grew up outside of Boston. Avery was raised in Cambridge, while Pompeo was raised 10 miles away in Everett, and according to the actor, that was one of the first things they bonded over. "We have a lot in common," Pompeo told People in December 2006. "We're from the same hometown, almost."

Avery considers himself Pompeo's "biggest fan," but he's not a big fan of watching "Grey's Anatomy" for an understandable reason. "There was a time back in the day that I watched it a lot, but then I didn't know if she had a lover," he told Us Weekly in February 2017. "I would say I'm not jealous; I'm really confident, but it's awkward. She's acting but now she's got this new lover, which I know him, Giacomo [Gianniotti]. He's a great guy. I actually like him. And to be honest, I haven't watched those scenes because I feel like it can be awkward." Fair enough!