Jackie Tohn isn’t just bringing the laughs on Netflix — she’s found love, too. The Nobody Wants This star has been dating actor, writer, and director Joe Gillette for several years, and now, the couple’s worlds are colliding in the best possible way.
The actress — best known for her scene-stealing performance as Esther, the hilariously blunt sister-in-law of “hot” rabbi Noah (Adam Brody) — has become a fan favorite thanks to her razor-sharp wit and emotional depth. In season 1, Esther grappled with her husband Sasha’s (Timothy Simons) unexpected friendship with single sex podcaster Morgan (Justine Lupe). But when the show returned for its second season, Tohn promised fans a fresh new side to her character.
“Esther realizes…that everyone else is having fun except for her,” she told Tudum. “She’s like…‘I’m going to have a good time, too.’”
And in real life, Jackie seems to be doing just that — happily partnered with Joe Gillette, who’s carving out a name for himself both behind and in front of the camera.
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They Started Dating in 2021
Jackie and Joe have been together since at least 2021. The first glimpse of their romance came that December, when Gillette shared a cozy cabin photo on Instagram featuring Tohn and friends during the holidays. Since then, the pair hasn’t shied away from celebrating each other online — often posting supportive messages about one another’s projects and milestones.
He’s an Actor, Writer and Director
Much like Jackie, Joe wears multiple hats in the entertainment world. He’s appeared in hit shows including Black-ish, Silicon Valley, 9-1-1, and Shrinking. He also wrote, directed, and produced several short films — most notably The Music Store, which premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival in March 2025.
“So thrilled to share that The Music Store will premiere at @clefilmfest,” Gillette wrote on Instagram ahead of the debut. “Congratulations and deep thanks to my entire team of lovely collaborators, friends, and all of YOU out there who made this possible. I can’t wait!”
In another lighthearted moment, he once joked about his acting gigs, writing, “I love getting to pop back in on [CSI: Vegas] and continue to be creepy as fuuuuuuu.”
He Appeared in Season 2 of ‘Nobody Wants This’
The crossover fans didn’t see coming? Joe joining the Nobody Wants This cast in season 2. He played the husband of newcomer Abby (portrayed by Leighton Meester — who, fun fact, is married to Adam Brody in real life).
Kristen Bell, who stars as Joanne, couldn’t help but laugh about the real-life couple swap happening on set. “It got so incestuous,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “I had a blast on set saying, ‘Jackie’s boyfriend is playing Adam’s wife’s husband and Adam’s wife is playing Jackie’s boyfriend’s wife.’ It was like breaking the sim.”
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They Live Together in Los Angeles
The couple’s off-screen life is just as sweet. In October 2025, Tohn revealed to The Wall Street Journal, “I live with actor and writer-director Joe Gillette in Glendale, Calif. I moved into the contemporary-style house in 2021, and Joe moved in two years later.”
She added, “I love that it’s private and quiet and 20 minutes from everywhere I need to be. Best of all, we have so much natural light that we don’t turn on fixtures until the sun sets.”
