Janelle Lacey is an American businesswoman and former accountant who became widely known through her marriage to actor Richard Dreyfuss. While many recognize her as his ex-wife, Janelle Lacey built her own professional path in finance and later in entertainment management. She served as president of One Take Management, Inc. and maintained a strong but quiet presence during her years in the public eye. After her 2005 divorce, she chose a private life, making her story both unique and intriguing.
Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janelle Lacey |
| Birth Year | 1967 / 1968 (estimated) |
| Age (2026) | Around 58 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Profession | Accountant, Business Executive |
| Known For | Marriage to Richard Dreyfuss |
| Company | One Take Management, Inc. |
| Position | President (reported) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Richard Dreyfuss |
| Marriage Year | 1999 |
| Divorce Year | 2005 |
| Children | None (Stepmother to 3 children) |
| Residence | United States (private) |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
Early Years
Janelle Lacey was born in the United States, most likely around 1967 or 1968. This estimate comes from her age at the time of her marriage. Even though she was connected to Hollywood for some years, she has always kept her personal life very private. There is no confirmed public information about her parents, siblings, or early childhood.
Her education is also not fully documented, but it is clear she studied something related to accounting or business finance. This makes sense because she built her early career in that field. Before she became known in the public eye, she was already working in Los Angeles as an accountant.
Career Journey
Janelle Lacey started her career as a professional accountant. She worked in Los Angeles, which is known as the center of the entertainment industry. But instead of being in front of the camera, she worked behind the scenes.
Over time, her career moved beyond basic accounting. She became involved in business and management within the entertainment world. One of the most important roles connected to her name is being the President of One Take Management, Inc. This company is based in Los Angeles and focuses on talent and production management.
This shift is important. It shows that Janelle Lacey did not stay in one place. She grew professionally and moved into leadership. She was not just handling numbers anymore, She was part of decision-making and management.
Marriage Timeline and How They Met?
Janelle Lacey met Richard Dreyfuss after his first marriage ended in 1995. Before meeting her, he had been married to Jeramie Rain and also had a short relationship with actress Laura Cayouette. By the late 1990s, he and Janelle were already spending time together.
Their relationship became public in a big way on April 26, 1998. Their engagement was announced at a special event called the Seeds of Peace gala in New York City. This was not just any event. It was a high-profile gathering that honored Madeleine Albright, who was the U.S. Secretary of State at the time.
One year later, in May 1999, Janelle Lacey and Richard Dreyfuss got married. Some sources say May 30, while others say May 31, but both point to the same time period. The wedding took place at Dreyfuss’s home in Los Angeles, in an outdoor ceremony.
At the time of the marriage, Janelle was 31 years old, while Richard Dreyfuss was 51. That is about a 17 to 20 year age gap.
Her Ex-Husband: Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss was born on October 29, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a Jewish family, with parents Norman Dreyfuss and Geraldine Dreyfuss. When he was young, his family moved to Los Angeles. That move played a big role in his future career.
He started acting at a young age and slowly built his career. By the 1970s, he became one of the most well-known actors in Hollywood.
You may have seen some of his famous movies. He starred in American Graffiti, Jaws, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. These films made him a big name. Then came The Goodbye Girl, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. At that time, he was the youngest actor to win that award.
Later in his career, he appeared in films like Mr. Holland’s Opus, Stand by Me, and What About Bob? His career shows long-term success, not just a short moment of fame.
But his life was not always easy. He has spoken openly about his struggle with bipolar disorder. He also went through a difficult period with drug addiction. In 1982, he had a serious car accident connected to that lifestyle. After that, he entered recovery and became sober.
In later years, he moved toward a different kind of work. In 2006, he started The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative. This project focuses on teaching people about government and citizenship. He also wrote books, including The Two Georges and One Thought Scares Me.
Even in recent years, he has stayed active. He worked on projects like Into the Deep and took part in Jaws anniversary events. However, he has also faced criticism for some public comments, especially around 2024.
Public Life and Events
After marrying Richard Dreyfuss, Janelle became part of a very public life. Even though she was a private person, she was often seen at events with her husband. This included movie premieres, award shows, and charity programs.
For example, she attended events like the High Fidelity premiere and gatherings at the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. She was also seen at charity dinners linked to the Tourette Syndrome Association. These events were not just about fame. They were about support, community, and public presence.
During these years, Janelle Lacey showed a calm and professional image. She dressed in a simple and elegant way and stayed away from drama. Many people noticed that she was not trying to be the center of attention. Instead, she supported her husband while maintaining her own identity.
She was also connect to charity work through events like Seeds of Peace. These programs focused on helping young people and building understanding between communities.
Meet Their Children
One important part of Janelle Lacey’s life during her marriage was her role as a stepmother. She did not have biological children with Richard Dreyfuss, but she became part of his children’s lives.
It is important to understand clearly that all three children were born from Richard Dreyfuss’s first marriage to Jeramie Rain. Still, Janelle Lacey shared family moments with them and was present during public events.
Emily Dreyfuss
Emily Dreyfuss is the eldest child. She built her own career as a journalist and editor. She has worked with well-known platforms like WIRED and The San Francisco Standard.
Emily is known for writing about technology, media, and society. She has also been linked to academic work through the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University. Her work shows strong thinking and clear communication.
Benjamin “Ben” Dreyfuss
Ben Dreyfuss is a writer and editor. He has worked with platforms like Mother Jones and also runs his own Substack. His work often focuses on culture, politics, and personal views.
One important fact about Ben is that he was born with Peters anomaly. This is a rare eye condition. It left him blind in his left eye. Despite this challenge, he built a strong career in writing.
Ben has also spoken publicly about family issues. In recent years, especially around 2025, he shared that there has been distance between him and his father.
Harry Dreyfuss
Harry Dreyfuss is the youngest of the three. He is involve in creative work as an actor, writer, and director. He also studied at Fordham University. His name became widely known during discussions around the #MeToo movement. He made public statements about experiences involving actor Kevin Spacey.
Divorce and Separation
After several years of marriage, Janelle Lacey and Richard Dreyfuss separated and officially divorced in 2005. Their marriage lasted about six years. One thing that stands out is how private their separation was. There were no public fights or detailed reports about what went wrong. The reason for the divorce never clearly shared.
After the divorce, Richard Dreyfuss moved on and married Svetlana Erokhin in March 2006. This marked a new chapter in his personal life. There is also some confusion online about Janelle Lacey. Some sources wrongly say she is still his wife or the mother of his children. But this is not correct. She was his second wife, and the children were from his first marriage.
After 2005, Janelle Lacey slowly stepped away from public life. She stopped appearing at major events and stayed out of media attention. Unlike many people connected to Hollywood, she did not try to stay famous. There are no confirmed reports of her remarrying. She also does not have verified public social media accounts. It is believe that she continue her work in business and management, possibly still connected to One Take Management, Inc.
Final Thoughts
Janelle Lacey shows that not everyone connected to fame wants to stay in the spotlight. She had a career before marriage, supported her family during those years, and then chose a quiet life after divorce.
In the end, her story is simple but meaningful. She is a professional woman who lived part of her life in public, then chose peace and privacy. And in today’s world, that choice is rare and powerful.
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(FAQs)
Who is Janelle Lacey?
Janelle Lacey is the former wife of actor Richard Dreyfuss, but she is also a businesswoman and former accountant.
What is Janelle Lacey’s profession?
She worked as an accountant and later became involved in business and talent management, including a leadership role at One Take Management, Inc.
When did Janelle Lacey marry Richard Dreyfuss?
They got married in May 1999 after announcing their engagement in April 1998.
When did Janelle Lacey and Richard Dreyfuss divorce?
They divorced in 2005 after about six years of marriage.
Does Janelle Lacey have children?
No, she does not have biological children, but she was stepmother to Richard Dreyfuss’s three children.
What is Janelle Lacey’s age?
She is estimated to be around 58 years old as of 2026.
Is Janelle Lacey active on social media?
No, she does not have any verified public social media accounts.
Where is Janelle Lacey now?
She lives a private life and is believed to still be connected to business or management work, but she stays away from public attention.
