Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the internet looking up the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, you’ve definitely seen his face. He is the tall, sharp-dressed guy standing next to Ellen Pompeo on every red carpet from the Emmys to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. But who is Chris Ivery, really? Most people just shrug and label him "the husband," as if he’s just a permanent accessory to Meredith Grey.
That’s a mistake.
While Ellen was busy becoming one of the highest-paid women on television, Ivery was quietly building a career that has nothing to do with surgical scrubs or hospital drama. In fact, he’s never even watched the show. Seriously. He told her it was "better for him" not to see her kissing other guys on screen for twenty years. You’ve gotta respect the boundary.
The Meet-Cute That Wasn’t Actually Cute
Hollywood loves a good "how we met" story. Usually, it involves a shared agent or a high-end gala. For Chris and Ellen? It was a grocery store in Los Angeles back in 2003.
They weren't looking for love; they were just looking for groceries.
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Basic. Human. Normal.
They realized pretty quickly that they grew up only about 10 miles away from each other in the Boston area—Chris is from Cambridge. Despite the local connection, it wasn't an instant spark. They were just friends for six months before things shifted. Ivery later said that one night she just "looked different" to him.
They eventually tied the knot in 2007 at New York City Hall. No massive white wedding. No paparazzi. Just them and the then-mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, serving as their legal witness. They went to lunch at a spot called Lupa afterward and then went on with their lives.
More Than a Plus-One: The Career of Chris Ivery
People love to speculate about his net worth, with some reports throwing around wild numbers like $80 million (though much of that is tied to the couple's joint real estate and Ellen's massive Disney contracts). But Ivery isn't just sitting around.
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He’s a producer. Specifically, a music producer and songwriter.
If you’ve ever sang along to Rihanna’s "Cheers (Drink to That)" while out with friends, you’ve heard his work. He’s credited as a writer on that 2010 hit. He’s been in the music industry for over 25 years, working behind the scenes at Parallel Music and later moving into the executive side of things.
From Music to High-End Threads
Lately, he’s pivoted. In 2019, he became the Chief Executive of Lifestyle Marketing for Sergio Tacchini. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s a legendary Italian sportswear brand that used to be everywhere in the 80s. Ivery was instrumental in the STLA Collection relaunch, basically helping bring that old-school tennis aesthetic back into the modern streetwear scene.
You’ll see him at Paris Fashion Week now, usually in the front row. He’s not there for the cameras; he’s there for the business.
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The Reality of Private Life
Despite the fame, the Ivery-Pompeo household is notoriously private. They have three kids: Stella Luna, Sienna May, and Eli Christopher. They’ve been very vocal about the importance of a "healthy home life" over a career.
Ellen has gone on record saying that Ivery is her "rock." When you’re at the center of a global TV phenomenon for two decades, you need someone who isn't impressed by the glitz.
"We’re sort of two kids who made it out and then landed in Hollywood and jumped on this ride," Pompeo told Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast in 2025.
That shared Boston grit seems to be what keeps them glued together while other Hollywood marriages crumble after six months.
What You Can Learn From His Path
Chris Ivery is a prime example of how to exist in the shadow of a massive star without losing your own identity. He didn't try to become an actor. He didn't try to start a reality show. He stayed in his lane—music, fashion, and marketing—and supported his partner's success without needing the spotlight for himself.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check the Credits: Look up the liner notes for Rihanna’s Loud album to see his songwriting contribution on "Cheers (Drink to That)."
- Fashion Research: Look into the Sergio Tacchini STLA relaunch to see how he helped modernize a vintage brand.
- Perspective Shift: Instead of viewing him through the lens of a celebrity spouse, look at his track record as a brand builder. It's a masterclass in low-key professional longevity.