When we think of the world's richest actors, names like Tom Cruise, George Clooney, or even Oprah Winfrey might spring to mind. But there's a name flying under the radar.
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That person is Jami Gertz. With a staggering net worth reportedly sitting at $8 billion, Gertz eclipses the fortunes of some of the biggest names in showbiz. But how did a relatively low-key actress end up topping the financial leaderboard of Hollywood?
From Dorothy to Hollywood: Who is Jami Gertz?
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jami Gertz’s love for acting began at the tender age of ten when she played Dorothy in a fifth-grade production of The Wizard of Oz. As reported by Lad Bible her big break came when she won a talent search sponsored by producer Norman Lear, setting her on a path to stardom.
She made her screen debut in 1981’s Endless Love, and followed it up with roles in teen classics like Sixteen Candles and The Lost Boys. Her performance in Less Than Zero cemented her place as a recognisable face in '80s Hollywood.
On television, she charmed audiences with her roles in Square Pegs, Seinfeld, ER, Ally McBeal, Modern Family, Still Standing, and The Neighbors — the latter two being among her more prominent TV appearances. Her performance in Ally McBeal even earned her an Emmy nomination.
Her final on-screen credit came in 2022, with a cameo in I Want You Back. Reflecting on her gradual exit from acting, she told The Hollywood Reporter:
You reach an age, and you slow down, and the jobs are a little hard to come by.
But acting was just the opening act. Now, let's pull back the curtain and uncover how Jami Gertz turned her Hollywood stardom into a jaw-dropping empire of billions.
Billion-dollar moves: How did Jami Gertz get so rich?
Contrary to popular belief, Gertz didn’t ride into wealth on her husband’s coattails. As she stated in a 2018 interview:
Everyone thinks I married a rich guy. But I made more money — way more money — than Tony when I met him. I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation. I married him because I fell in love with him.
Her husband, Tony Ressler, was far from a billionaire when they met — just a banker at the time.
However, his later success certainly catapulted their combined wealth to new heights. Ressler co-founded Apollo Global in 1990 and Ares Management in 1997, which manages over $300 billion in assets.
The couple made headlines in 2015 when they purchased the NBA team Atlanta Hawks for $720 million.
Gertz took on a prominent public role with the team, often representing them during media days and draft lotteries. Ressler admitted:
I think it’s fair to say that she makes a better impression on our fan base than any of us in the organization.
I’m very active on the business and player personnel decision-making. But Jami steps in when it comes to so many parts of the business that I did not appreciate or have any experience in.
Together, they also own a minority stake in MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers and invest through the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation. Gertz also launched her own production company in 2010, but decided to shift focus after five years.
Needless to say, the couple's financial empire extends across sports, finance, and philanthropy.
We’ve crunched the numbers and marvelled at the billions — but behind every impressive fortune is an even more fascinating personal story.
Behind the fortune: A billionaire love story and shared mission
Gertz and Ressler met at a party and started dating after Ressler sent flowers to her dressing room. Their romance blossomed, and they married in 1989. Now parents to three sons and a daughter — Oliver, Nicholas, Theo, and Abigail — the couple have managed to successfully blend business and family.
Their philanthropic work is just as impressive as their business ventures. They co-founded the Painted Turtle Camp, offering children with chronic illnesses an authentic camp experience. Gertz once told HuffPost:
We had such good memories of our own experiences at camp, and want to make sure that all sorts of kids get that chance, no matter what their circumstances.
What I [also] really wanted to do was to make community service a family affair so that it was a philosophy that we all shared.
They've also been acknowledged as top celebrity donors, contributing to various causes and community initiatives. Most notably, their Ressler Gertz Family Foundation has funded support for Black-owned businesses in Atlanta.
Read more:
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The celebs who won’t leave their fortune to their kids: Mila Kunis, Gordon Ramsay and more
Sources used:
Ladbible: Why world's richest actor you won't have heard of rarely acts now despite making major fortune
Hello! Magazine: Who is actress Jami Gertz whose net worth is bigger than Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift's combined?
US Weekly: How '80s Actress Jami Gertz Quietly Became a Reported Billionaire
Essentially Sports: Who Is Jami Gertz? $8 Billion in Riches, Wife of Atlanta Hawks Owner Tony Ressler, Meet the World's Wealthiest Actor
