All About Jami Gertz: Career, Life & Achievements
Who Is Jami Gertz and Why She’s Hollywood’s Richest Actor
Jami Gertz is an American actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist who has built an extraordinary $8-12 billion fortune through strategic investments and sports team ownership. Born in Chicago in 1965, she rose to fame in the 1980s with iconic roles in films like The Lost Boys and Less Than Zero, but her real wealth comes from her marriage to billionaire financier Tony Ressler and their joint business ventures.
Quick Facts About Jami Gertz:
- Born: October 28, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois
- Famous For: 1980s films (The Lost Boys, Sixteen Candles), TV shows (Still Standing, Square Pegs)
- Net Worth: Estimated $8-12 billion (making her the richest actor in the world)
- Business Ventures: Co-owner of Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
- Philanthropy: Top celebrity donor in 2010, co-founded Painted Turtle Camp
- Personal: Married to Tony Ressler since 1989, three children
What makes Gertz’s story fascinating isn’t just her Hollywood success, but how she transformed from a working-class Chicago teenager into one of America’s wealthiest women. Finded at 16 through a nationwide talent search by producer Norman Lear, she quickly became a teen icon before transitioning into serious business investments.
Many people assume she married into wealth, but Gertz actually earned more money than her future husband when they first met in 1987. She paid for their first house and vacations while Tony Ressler was still building his finance career at firms like Apollo Global Management and Ares Management.
Today, Gertz serves as the public face of the Atlanta Hawks, which she and her husband purchased for $720 million in 2015. She’s also deeply involved in philanthropy through the Ressler-Gertz Foundation and serves on the board of the Melanoma Research Alliance.
Early Life & Path to Hollywood
Jami Gertz didn’t grow up dreaming of billion-dollar business deals or owning NBA teams. Like most kids in Glenview, Illinois, she had simpler dreams – becoming a figure skater and maybe, just maybe, making it in show business.
Born on October 28, 1965, to Walter and Sharyn Gertz, she experienced a classic middle-class American childhood. Her father Walter ran a successful contracting business in Chicago, while her mother Sharyn helped with the family enterprise. The Gertz household valued hard work and determination – lessons that would serve Jami well in both Hollywood and the boardroom.
Young Jami actually spent time doing clerical work at her father’s supply company, learning business basics that most teenage actors never experience. But her real passion lay elsewhere – first in figure skating, then in performance after landing the role of Dorothy in her school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
That school play changed everything. Something clicked when she stepped onto that stage, and suddenly the entertainment world seemed possible.
Chicago Roots & Findy
The Gertz family represented the best of working-class Chicago values. Walter’s contracting business provided comfortable living, but luxury wasn’t part of their vocabulary. Jami Gertz learned early that success comes through effort, not entitlement.
Her big break arrived in the most unexpected way. At just 16, she caught the attention of Norman Lear’s production team during their nationwide talent search for a new CBS sitcom called Square Pegs. This wasn’t just any casting call – it was a life-changing opportunity that would take her from suburban Illinois to the heart of Hollywood.
The decision to leave home wasn’t easy. Moving from Glenview to Los Angeles meant leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar. But with her parents’ support, teenage Jami Gertz made the leap.
Square Pegs only lasted 20 episodes, but it launched her career in ways no one could have predicted. Playing Muffy Tepperman introduced her to audiences nationwide and opened doors to the film roles that would define the 1980s. More importantly, it taught her how the entertainment business really worked – knowledge she’d later use to build an empire worth billions.
Her journey from that Chicago school play to Hollywood stardom shows how one moment of courage can change everything. Little did anyone know that the teenager from Glenview would eventually become the richest actor in the world.
Jami Gertz in Hollywood: 1980s–1990s Career Highlights
The 1980s transformed Jami Gertz from a small-town Illinois teenager into one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. After her debut on Square Pegs, she quickly became the kind of actress directors wanted for their projects – someone who could bring both vulnerability and strength to complex characters.
Her journey into films began with Endless Love in 1981, where she worked alongside Brooke Shields. Though her role was small, it gave her invaluable experience on a major film set. Gertz often recalls how kind Shields was to her during filming, which taught her early on about the importance of treating people well in an industry that could be ruthless to young actors.
The mid-1980s brought bigger opportunities and more substantial roles. Jami Gertz starred opposite Kevin Bacon in Quicksilver (1986), her first real leading role. While the film didn’t set the box office on fire, it proved she could carry a movie and hold her own with established stars.
Jami Gertz’s Breakthrough Roles
Everything changed for Jami Gertz in 1987 with two films that would define her career: Less Than Zero and The Lost Boys.
In Less Than Zero, she played Blair, a young woman caught in the dark underbelly of wealthy Los Angeles. Working alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Andrew McCarthy, Gertz brought depth to what could have been a thankless role. The film tackled serious themes of addiction and moral decay, and her performance showed she could handle dramatic material with sophistication.
But it was The Lost Boys that truly made her a star. Joel Schumacher’s stylish vampire thriller became an instant cult classic, and Gertz’s portrayal of Star – a mysterious woman torn between the human and vampire worlds – struck the perfect balance between haunting and hopeful. Decades later, fans still quote lines from the film and celebrate its unique blend of horror and humor.
Her earlier appearance in John Hughes’s Sixteen Candles (1984) had already placed her in the pantheon of 1980s teen movie royalty. Though her role was smaller, being part of the Hughes universe meant automatic inclusion in the cultural conversation of the decade.
One of her most memorable moments came much later in a 1994 Seinfeld episode called “The Stall.” Playing Jane, the woman who famously couldn’t “spare a square” of toilet paper, Jami Gertz delivered one of the show’s most quoted lines. She often jokes that people still approach her in public restrooms with that famous phrase – a testament to the lasting power of great comedy writing.
Jami Gertz on Television
While films made her famous, television provided Jami Gertz with some of her most rewarding work – both creatively and financially. Her transition to TV proved incredibly smart, offering steady income and the chance to develop characters over longer periods.
Her biggest television success came with the CBS sitcom Still Standing (2002-2006), where she starred as Judy Miller for 88 episodes. The show was a genuine hit, and Gertz earned between $75,000 and $100,000 per episode. That steady paycheck of roughly $1.6 to $2.2 million annually gave her financial security while she explored other business ventures.
Guest appearances on prestigious shows like ER and Ally McBeal showcased her dramatic range beyond comedy. Her work on Ally McBeal was particularly impressive, earning her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2001. This recognition validated her acting abilities and proved she was much more than just a teen movie star.
Later in her career, she took on the lead role in ABC’s quirky sitcom The Neighbors (2012-2014), playing Debbie Weaver for 44 episodes. The show about alien families living in suburbia gave Jami Gertz another chance to display her comedic timing, even though it didn’t achieve the same longevity as Still Standing.
Beyond the Camera: Marriage, Business Empire & Sports Ownership
While Jami Gertz’s acting career brought her fame and solid earnings, her change into one of the world’s richest actors happened through something much more strategic – smart business partnerships and investments that most people never see coming.
Here’s where her story gets really interesting. When Jami Gertz married Tony Ressler in 1989, she wasn’t marrying into money like many assume. She was actually the one with the bigger paycheck. “I made more money — way more money — than Tony when I met him,” she’s openly shared in interviews.
Picture this: a successful 1980s movie star paying for the couple’s first Los Angeles home and funding their vacations while her husband worked his way up the finance ladder. It’s not the typical Hollywood power couple story you’d expect.
Tony Ressler’s background in private equity would eventually become the rocket fuel for their incredible wealth. After Drexel Burnham Lambert collapsed in 1989, he co-founded Apollo Global Management, which now handles over $500 billion in assets. Later, he founded Ares Management, managing approximately $350 billion and going public in 2014.
The couple’s financial journey shows how acting income steadily gave way to massive investment returns – a shift that would make Gertz one of the wealthiest people in entertainment.
Meeting Tony Ressler & Power Couple Story
The love story between Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler started at a dinner party in Los Angeles back in 1987. She was riding high on her 1980s movie success, while he was a young investment guy working hard to make his mark in finance.
Their connection was instant. After bonding over brunch, Ressler made his move by sending roses to her theater dressing room – a classic romantic gesture that clearly worked. They married two years later in 1989, creating what would become one of Hollywood’s most successful power couples.
But here’s what makes their story different: instead of the typical “actress marries rich guy” narrative, Jami Gertz was actually supporting them both financially in those early years. She bought their first house and covered their travel expenses while Tony built his investment empire from the ground up.
This dynamic shifted dramatically as Ressler’s firms grew exponentially, but it created a partnership built on mutual respect and shared financial goals rather than dependency.
The couple raised three children together: Oliver Jordan (born 1992), Nicholas Simon (born 1995), and Theo (born 1998). Despite their enormous wealth, they’ve worked hard to keep family life relatively normal while diving deep into business ventures and giving back to their community.
Billion-Dollar Ventures & Atlanta Hawks
When Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler bought the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 for approximately $720 million, they weren’t just making an investment – they were taking on a mission to transform the franchise.
The opportunity came after the previous owner’s racist comments created a crisis that required new leadership. Instead of being silent partners, the couple jumped in with both feet, especially Gertz.
Most team owners stay in luxury boxes and show up for photo ops. Not Jami Gertz. She personally walks through State Farm Arena checking everything from toilet paper supplies to how quickly staff clean up spills. “I care a ton about fan experience,” she says, and she means it.
This hands-on approach has paid off big time. Under their ownership, the Hawks have invested heavily in fan amenities, including a $192 million arena renovation and a massive 90,000-square-foot training facility. These improvements have earned the team multiple awards for fan experience.
The Hawks aren’t their only sports play. The couple has also owned a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers since 2005, creating a diversified sports portfolio that’s proven incredibly smart financially. Professional sports franchises have skyrocketed in value over the past decade.
Jami Gertz serves as the public face of Hawks ownership, regularly appearing at games and community events. Her genuine enthusiasm for the team and Atlanta community has helped transform the franchise’s culture and connection with fans.
For detailed coverage of her hands-on role with the team, PeachTree Hoops provides excellent insights into how she’s changed the organization.
Giving Back & Public Image
When you have billions of dollars, what do you do with it? For Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler, the answer has always been clear: give it back. Their approach to wealth isn’t about accumulating more stuff – it’s about creating lasting change in the world.
In 2010, something remarkable happened. Jami Gertz and her husband were named the top celebrity donors to charity by the Giving Back Fund. They had donated approximately $10 million through their Ressler-Gertz Foundation, outgiving even the most famous philanthropists in Hollywood.
But here’s what makes their giving special – they don’t just write checks and walk away. Gertz serves as a board director for the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. She brings her public profile to bear on serious health issues, using her fame for something that truly matters.
Their charitable work spans education, arts, community development, and healthcare. They’ve supported cultural institutions and have been particularly drawn to programs that help children and families facing medical challenges. It’s not random giving – it’s strategic, thoughtful, and deeply personal.
Philanthropy & Painted Turtle Camp
The project closest to Jami Gertz’s heart might be Camp Painted Turtle, a free summer camp she and Tony co-founded for children with serious medical conditions. Located in California, this isn’t just any camp – it’s a place where kids with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, and other challenging conditions can finally have a “normal” summer experience.
Think about it: most of these children have never been to summer camp. Their medical conditions make traditional camps impossible. But at Painted Turtle, they can swim, do arts and crafts, go on outdoor trips – all with proper medical supervision and support.
Gertz doesn’t just fund the camp from afar. She’s personally involved in operations and regularly visits to spend time with the campers. “It’s about more than money,” she’s explained. “It’s about showing up and building real relationships with these kids.”
For many families, this camp represents the first time their children can participate in activities that other kids take for granted. The impact goes beyond the camp experience – it gives these children confidence and normalcy during some of the most challenging periods of their young lives.
You can learn more about their incredible work at Painted Turtle Camp, where they detail the programs and the real impact on children’s lives.
Misconceptions About Her Wealth
Here’s something that really bothers Jami Gertz: people assuming she just married a rich guy and hit the jackpot. “Everyone thinks I married a rich guy,” she’s said in interviews. “I married him because I fell in love with him.”
The truth is more interesting than the assumption. When Gertz met Tony Ressler in 1987, she was making more money than he was. She paid for their first house and funded their early vacations while he was still building his finance career. Their wealth grew together over decades through shared business decisions and smart investments.
Another misconception? That she’s just along for the ride in their business ventures. In reality, Gertz has been an active partner in major decisions, including their sports team acquisitions and real estate investments. When you see her at Hawks games checking on fan experiences, that’s not for show – she’s genuinely involved in running the business.
The media loves to paint wealthy celebrity wives as shopping enthusiasts who lunch and spend. Gertz has worked hard to counter this stereotype through her visible involvement in the Hawks’ day-to-day operations and her hands-on approach to charitable work.
She’s been refreshingly transparent about their wealth and how it developed. Rather than hiding behind publicists or staying quiet, she’s spoken openly about being the early breadwinner and about their joint approach to business and philanthropy. It’s a more complex and interesting story than the usual “actress marries billionaire” narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jami Gertz
How did Jami Gertz become so wealthy?
Jami Gertz’s incredible wealth story is more complex than most people realize. While her acting career in the 1980s and 1990s provided a solid foundation, her billionaire status comes from decades of smart business partnerships with her husband Tony Ressler.
Here’s what makes her story unique: when they first met in 1987, Gertz was actually the bigger earner. She was making serious money from hit films like The Lost Boys and Less Than Zero, while Ressler was still climbing the ladder in finance. She paid for their first house and funded their early vacations while he built his career.
Their wealth exploded through Ressler’s private equity firms – first Apollo Global Management, then Ares Management. These companies now manage hundreds of billions in assets. But Gertz wasn’t just along for the ride. She’s been an active business partner in major decisions, including their $720 million purchase of the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 and their stake in the Milwaukee Brewers.
The combination of her entertainment earnings, their investment returns, and appreciating sports franchise values created their estimated $8-12 billion fortune. It’s a true partnership story that took decades to build.
Does Jami Gertz still act today?
Jami Gertz hasn’t completely stepped away from acting, but she’s become much more selective about her projects. Her most recent film role was in the 2022 romantic comedy “I Want You Back,” which showed she still has the charm that made her an 1980s icon.
The truth is, she doesn’t need to work for money anymore. This freedom allows her to be picky about roles that actually interest her. As she’s said in interviews, “Most of the parts I’ve played have been passive girls who are just sort of there. I have trouble with that because I’m not like that.”
She also maintains Lime Orchard Productions, her production company founded in 2007. This gives her more control over the types of projects she wants to develop and star in.
These days, her time is split between occasional acting projects, running the Atlanta Hawks, and her extensive philanthropic work. It’s a far cry from the days when she needed to take every role offered, and she seems to genuinely enjoy this new phase of her career.
What causes does Jami Gertz support?
Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler take their philanthropy as seriously as their business ventures. In 2010, they were named the top celebrity donors to charity, giving away approximately $10 million that year through the Ressler-Gertz Foundation.
Their most personal project is Camp Painted Turtle, which they co-founded to provide free summer camp experiences for children with serious medical conditions. Kids dealing with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders, and other health challenges get to enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, and outdoor trips in a medically supervised setting. Gertz doesn’t just write checks – she visits regularly and spends time with the campers.
She also serves on the board of the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research. This role combines her public platform with important health advocacy work.
Their giving extends into education, arts and culture, and community development – particularly in Atlanta through their Hawks ownership. What sets them apart is their hands-on approach. Rather than just donating money, they get personally involved in the organizations they support.
As Gertz has shown throughout her career, she believes in showing up and doing the work, whether that’s on a movie set, in a boardroom, or at a children’s medical camp.
Conclusion
Jami Gertz’s incredible journey from a working-class Chicago teenager to Hollywood’s wealthiest actor is a story that defies every conventional narrative about success. Her path shows us that talent, determination, and smart partnerships can create opportunities that stretch far beyond what anyone might originally imagine.
What makes Gertz’s story so compelling isn’t just the numbers – though an $8-12 billion net worth certainly gets attention. It’s how she’s used her success to create meaningful change in multiple industries. Her hands-on leadership of the Atlanta Hawks has revolutionized the fan experience, while her board work with the Melanoma Research Alliance advances critical medical research. And through Camp Painted Turtle, she’s giving children with serious medical conditions the joy of a normal summer camp experience.
Perhaps most importantly, Jami Gertz challenges the tired stereotype of the celebrity wife who married into wealth. She was the breadwinner when she and Tony Ressler first met, and she’s remained an active business partner throughout their journey to billionaire status. Her story reminds us that the best partnerships – in business and in life – are built on mutual respect and shared vision.
The entertainment industry has been just one chapter in Gertz’s remarkable story. Her evolution into serious business leadership and impactful philanthropy shows what’s possible when someone uses their platform thoughtfully. She’s proven that success isn’t just about accumulating wealth – it’s about what you do with the opportunities that wealth creates.
For readers fascinated by how entertainment figures build lasting financial success, we recommend exploring Jennifer Tilly’s financial journey, which offers another inspiring example of creative diversification.
As Jami Gertz continues balancing her roles as actress, businesswoman, sports owner, and philanthropist, she serves as a powerful example for anyone looking to create impact across multiple fields. Her legacy extends far beyond The Lost Boys and Less Than Zero to encompass meaningful contributions that will outlast any movie role.
At PARK Ave Magazine, we’re inspired by stories like Gertz’s that show how creative professionals can build influence and create positive change across industries. Her journey reminds us that the most interesting careers rarely follow straight lines – and that’s exactly what makes them worth celebrating.
Thank you for joining us on this deep dive into one of entertainment’s most fascinating success stories. We hope Jami Gertz’s remarkable journey inspires you to think bigger about what’s possible in your own professional trip.
