Jami Gertz’s wealth is the stuff of legends, surpassing the net worths of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars by a significant margin.
While many might assume her fortune came from simply marrying a wealthy businessman, Gertz reveals a different story—one of entrepreneurship, investment, and strategic decisions that have led to a remarkable financial empire.
Gertz’s Wealth Surpasses Hollywood’s Elite
At 59 years old, Gertz’s estimated net worth stands at a staggering $8 billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
This puts her ahead of iconic figures like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Lopez.
Even more astonishing, she holds a fortune larger than that of renowned artists like Taylor Swift, whose Eras Tour brought her wealth to around $1.6 billion, and Steven Spielberg, whose long-standing career in Hollywood has earned him about $5.3 billion.
But how did a well-known actress, best remembered for her roles in The Lost Boys and Twister, accumulate such vast wealth? Gertz credits her business savvy and her partnership with her husband, Tony Ressler, a billionaire private equity mogul.
A Career Built on More Than Just Acting
While Gertz made a name for herself in Hollywood during the ’80s and ’90s, she didn’t rely solely on acting for her financial success.
In fact, when she met Tony Ressler in the 1980s, she was actually making more money than he was.
She admits that she was financially independent, paying for their first house and vacation together, which might surprise many who assumed her wealth was purely from her husband’s fortune.
In a 2018 interview, Gertz openly expressed her frustration with the assumption that she married into wealth.
“Everyone thinks I married a rich guy,” she said. “But I made more money—way more money—than Tony when I met him.”
She emphasized that she married him out of love, not financial gain.
From Acting to Business Ventures
Although Gertz’s acting career brought her major roles, such as in Less Than Zero (1987) and Twister (1996), she started shifting her focus towards business ventures as her acting opportunities became scarcer.
By the early 2000s, Gertz had co-founded Lime Orchard Productions, though it didn’t take off as she’d hoped.
The production company lost millions, but Gertz wasn’t deterred.
Her real breakthrough came when she began leveraging her connections in Hollywood to delve into other lucrative industries.
Around this time, Ressler, who had co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global and later Ares Management, became keen on owning sports teams.
Gertz played a key role in his ventures, especially in their bid to purchase sports franchises.
Ownership of the Atlanta Hawks and Major Investments
Gertz and Ressler initially tried to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, but lost out to Steve Ballmer in 2014.
However, they succeeded in 2015 when they won an auction to acquire the Atlanta Hawks.
The couple has since made substantial investments in the team, including building a state-of-the-art training compound and sports medicine center for the Hawks at Emory University.
They also renovated the team’s arena, though much of the funding for the project came from taxpayers—around $142.5 million, with Gertz and Ressler contributing just $50 million.
Through these investments, Gertz has moved from being the public face of the venture to becoming deeply involved in shaping the team’s future, all while Ressler has continued his behind-the-scenes work.
Giving Back to the Community
Now that Gertz and Ressler have achieved remarkable success in both business and sports ownership, they’ve turned their focus to philanthropy.
As part of the ultra-wealthy elite, they have also become active contributors to charitable causes, using their wealth to make a positive impact in various sectors.
From actress to business mogul, Jami Gertz’s journey to wealth is a testament to her adaptability, determination, and strategic thinking.
Her story is a reminder that success can be achieved not just through traditional paths, but by forging your own unique route, even in the high-stakes world of Hollywood and global finance.