You probably remember her as the girl from The Lost Boys or the frantic doctor in Twister. Maybe you even caught her in those "Seinfeld" reruns. But if you look at a list of the wealthiest people in Hollywood today, you won’t see Oprah or Reese Witherspoon at the very top. You’ll see Jami Gertz.
It’s wild. Most people hear the name and think of big hair and 1980s cult classics. Yet, the question of how much is Jami Gertz worth leads to a number that feels like a typo: roughly $12 billion.
Yes, billion. With a "B."
Honestly, it’s the kind of wealth that makes regular A-list salaries look like pocket change. But she didn't get there just by collecting royalty checks for Sixteen Candles. While she’s had a rock-solid career in front of the camera, the real story of her fortune is a masterclass in business, marriage, and some seriously high-stakes sports ownership.
The Billion-Dollar Question: How Much Is Jami Gertz Worth?
To understand the scale here, we have to look at the math. Most estimates in 2026 place her net worth alongside her husband, Tony Ressler, at a staggering $12 billion. Some financial outlets have even pushed that number closer to $14 billion depending on how you value their private equity stakes.
She's richer than Jerry Seinfeld. She's richer than Taylor Swift.
How? Well, it’s not all from acting. Gertz herself is famously humble about it, but she’s quick to point out that she wasn't just a "trophy wife" who happened upon a gold mine. When she met Tony Ressler in the late 80s, she was actually the breadwinner. She paid for their first house. She paid for their first vacation.
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But then, the business world came calling.
The Tony Ressler Connection and Private Equity
Tony Ressler isn't a household name for movie fans, but in the halls of Wall Street, he’s a titan. He co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 and later launched Ares Management in 1997. We are talking about firms that manage hundreds of billions of dollars in assets.
Because Gertz and Ressler have been married since 1989, their finances are deeply intertwined. Her net worth is essentially a reflection of their joint empire. Ares Management has grown into a global behemoth, and as the company’s value skyrocketed, so did the Gertz-Ressler bank account.
Why the Wealth is "Different"
Most actors build wealth through:
- Per-project salaries.
- Backend points (profit sharing).
- Brand deals and tequila companies.
Gertz skipped the tequila phase and went straight to private equity and professional sports. That’s the "secret sauce" that answers why she’s worth billions while her peers are worth millions.
The Atlanta Hawks and Sports Ownership
If you want to know how much is Jami Gertz worth in a tangible sense, look at the floor seats at State Farm Arena. In 2015, Gertz and Ressler led a group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks for about $850 million.
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Today? The team is valued at well over $3 billion.
Gertz isn't just a silent partner, either. You’ve probably seen her representing the Hawks at the NBA Draft Lottery. She’s the "public face" of the ownership group, often seen cheering (or stressing out) courtside. They also own a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers. When you own pieces of major sports franchises, your net worth stops being tied to the economy and starts being tied to the ever-inflating price of sports media rights.
The Acting Career That Started It All
We shouldn't minimize her actual work. Gertz was a working actress during one of the most competitive eras in Hollywood history.
- Square Pegs: Her breakout role as Muffy Tepperman.
- The Lost Boys: An iconic turn as Star.
- Twister: She played Dr. Melissa Reeves, the "fiancée" role that everyone remembers.
- Still Standing: A massive sitcom hit where she reportedly earned upwards of $100,000 per episode.
That "Still Standing" money is nothing to sneeze at. 88 episodes at a high salary creates a foundation of wealth most people can't imagine. It gave her the freedom to be picky and eventually pivot into the business world with her husband.
Misconceptions About Her Fortune
People love a "rags to riches" story, but Jami's story is more "success to stratosphere."
One big misconception is that she just "got lucky" with her marriage. While Tony's firms are the primary engine of the $12 billion figure, Gertz has been an active partner in their philanthropic and business decisions for over 30 years. They run the Ressler-Gertz Foundation, which pours millions into education and health. In fact, back in 2012, they were named the #1 most charitable celebrities by some outlets, out-giving people like George Clooney.
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Another myth? That she's "retired." She still pops up in projects, like the 2022 film I Want You Back. She acts because she loves it, not because she needs the SAG-AFTRA health insurance.
Practical Takeaways from the Gertz Empire
What can we actually learn from how Jami Gertz built a $12 billion life? It’s not just about marrying a guy who starts a hedge fund.
- Diversification is King: She moved from acting to production (Lime Orchard Productions) to sports ownership.
- Longevity over Hype: She stayed in the game for decades, transitioning from teen star to sitcom lead to NBA owner.
- Power of Partnership: She and Ressler built their empire together from the ground up, starting when he was just a guy with a desk in a closet.
If you’re looking at the numbers and wondering how to replicate even a fraction of that success, it comes down to equity. Don't just work for a salary; own the thing you’re working for.
Keep an eye on the next NBA team sale or the next time a major private equity firm goes public. That’s where the real "Gertz-level" money lives. For now, she remains the undisputed queen of the Hollywood rich list, prove that sometimes the biggest stars aren't the ones on the movie posters, but the ones owning the teams we watch on Friday nights.
To get a better sense of how celebrity wealth compares in the current market, look into the recent valuations of NBA franchises or the public filings for Ares Management (ARES) to see exactly how that $12 billion is anchored in real-world assets.