When it comes to the wealthiest stars in Hollywood, names like Tom Cruise, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts immediately come to mind. However, the actual wealthiest actor in the industry is someone most people wouldn’t expect: Jami Gertz. With an astonishing fortune of $3 billion, Gertz’s journey to becoming the world’s richest actor is a story of both talent and business savvy, starting from humble beginnings.
Gertz’s passion for acting ignited in the fifth grade when she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. This early interest led to her participation in a talent search sponsored by TV writer Norman Lear, landing her first major film role in 1981’s Endless Love. Over the years, Gertz compiled an impressive list of credits in both film and television. She became known for her roles in cult classics like The Lost Boys and Sixteen Candles, as well as blockbusters like Twister. Her television career included guest appearances on popular shows like Seinfeld, Modern Family, and This Is Us.
While many believe Gertz’s fortune comes from her marriage to billionaire Tony Ressler, she clarified in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “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.” Despite her successful career, Gertz’s wealth grew even further through smart commercial ventures, particularly in sports.
In 2015, Gertz and Ressler, along with an ownership group that included Grant Hill and Sarah Blakely, purchased the Atlanta Hawks basketball franchise. Gertz recalled, “It kind of happened within four days, and we became the new ownership of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.” Their business ventures didn’t stop there. The couple co-manages assets worth about $125 billion through Ares Management, one of the most successful asset management companies globally. Additionally, they hold a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.
Despite her staggering wealth, Gertz remains a relatively low-key figure in Hollywood. She’s not chasing the spotlight, but her business acumen has certainly propelled her into a financial stratosphere. Her most recent acting appearance was in the 2022 romantic comedy I Want You Back, demonstrating that while she may have slowed down in her acting career, she hasn’t fully stepped away from it.