Vanessa Britting is an American actress, writer, and real estate professional best known publicly as the wife of actor David Krumholtz, known for The Santa Clause franchise, Numb3rs, and more recently Oppenheimer. But Vanessa’s own story spans acting, writing, and real estate — and in 2026, her profile has grown further as attention has shifted toward her and their family following David’s decision to step back from acting.
Quick Facts About Vanessa Britting
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Vanessa Almeda Goonan |
| Known As | Vanessa Britting |
| Born | August 30, 1980, Rockaway, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, writer, real estate professional |
| Known For | Without a Trace, Desperate Housewives, The Unit |
| Education | Morris Knolls High School; Montclair State University (Theater Arts) |
| Husband | David Krumholtz (married May 22, 2010) |
| Children | Daughter Pemma Mae (born April 2014); son Jonas (born December 2016) |
| Current Residence | New Jersey (the family relocated from Los Angeles around 2017) |
Who Is Vanessa Britting?
Vanessa Britting is an American actress and writer who has also built a career in real estate. While she’s best known publicly as the wife of actor David Krumholtz, she has her own television credits going back to the early 2000s, along with a professional life that extends well beyond acting.
Early Life in Rockaway, New Jersey
Vanessa was born Vanessa Almeda Goonan on August 30, 1980, in Rockaway, New Jersey. She later adopted the professional surname Britting, drawn from her grandmother’s maiden name, which she has continued using throughout her acting and business career.
Education and Early Interest in Acting
Vanessa attended Morris Knolls High School in New Jersey before studying Theater Arts at Montclair State University, where she developed the performance skills that would carry into her television career.
Acting Career and Television Roles
Vanessa’s television career includes appearances in Without a Trace (2002), The Unit (2006), and Desperate Housewives (2004) — three of the more prominent dramas on television during that era. She’s also been credited with other guest and recurring appearances, including in the series Big Breaks. While she didn’t become one of Hollywood’s most prominent leading actresses, she built a steady, recognizable television presence during the 2000s.
Meeting and Marrying David Krumholtz
Vanessa and David Krumholtz — an actor known for playing Charlie Eppes on Numb3rs, alongside roles in The Santa Clause films and Harold & Kumar — dated for several years before David proposed in Paris in July 2008. The couple had a lengthy engagement, ultimately marrying nearly two years later, in May 2010.
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Their 2010 Wedding
Vanessa Britting and David Krumholtz married on May 22, 2010, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, in a non-denominational ceremony held on the hotel’s historic terrace in front of 180 guests. Vanessa wore a Rivini wedding gown. David’s groomsmen included Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel, and his Numb3rs co-stars Judd Hirsch, Rob Morrow, and Peter MacNicol were also among the guests.
Children and Family Life
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Pemma Mae Krumholtz, in April 2014. David announced the news on Twitter with the message “I am a parent,” followed shortly after by a photo introducing her to the public. Their second child, son Jonas Krumholtz, was born in December 2016.
Shortly after their marriage, in 2011, David was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after discovering a lump on his neck — a health chapter that came early in their married life together, though he went on to have a long and active acting career in the years since.
Where the Family Lives Today
Contrary to some reports describing the family as based in Los Angeles, more recent reporting indicates the Krumholtz family relocated from Los Angeles back to New Jersey around a year after Jonas’s birth — roughly 2017 — and has lived there since. This marks a meaningful shift from the Hollywood-centered life often assumed for a working actor’s family, and lines up with Vanessa’s own professional base in New Jersey real estate.
Career Beyond Acting: Real Estate and Writing
Vanessa has built a career in real estate, working with Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in New Jersey. She has used her communication and writing skills professionally in this work, crafting property listings and connecting with clients — a natural extension of the storytelling instincts she developed through acting and writing.
David Krumholtz’s 2026 Career Break
As of August 2026, David Krumholtz announced he was taking an “indefinite break” from acting after more than three decades in the industry, telling fans he’d become frustrated with the business and no longer felt the same connection to acting professionally. This announcement shifted public attention toward Vanessa and their family life together, following David’s recent, well-received role as Isidor Isaac Rabi in 2023’s Oppenheimer.
Final Thoughts
Vanessa Britting’s story has always been more than “David Krumholtz’s wife,” even if that’s the connection most people recognize first. From her own television career in the 2000s to her current work in New Jersey real estate, she’s built a professional identity that runs parallel to, rather than in the shadow of, her husband’s acting career — a dynamic that’s become even more visible now that David has stepped back from Hollywood himself.
FAQs About Vanessa Britting
Who is Vanessa Britting?
She is an American actress, writer, and real estate professional, known both for her own television career and as the wife of actor David Krumholtz.
What TV shows has Vanessa Britting appeared in?
She’s known for roles in Without a Trace, Desperate Housewives, and The Unit, among other television appearances.
When did Vanessa Britting marry David Krumholtz?
They married on May 22, 2010, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, after getting engaged in Paris in July 2008.
How many children does Vanessa Britting have?
She has two children with David Krumholtz: daughter Pemma Mae, born in April 2014, and son Jonas, born in December 2016.
Where does Vanessa Britting live now?
The family relocated from Los Angeles back to New Jersey around 2017 and has lived there since.
What does Vanessa Britting do for work today?
She works in real estate with Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in New Jersey, alongside her writing.
Why is David Krumholtz in the news in 2026?
He announced an indefinite break from acting in August 2026, after more than 30 years in the industry, citing frustration with the business.
What is Vanessa Britting’s real name?
Vanessa Almeda Goonan. She adopted “Britting,” her grandmother’s maiden name, as her professional surname.
