You probably remember her from the 80s. Maybe she’s the girl with the teased hair in The Lost Boys, or that high-strung fiancée in Twister who couldn't stop talking to her therapist on a brick-sized cell phone. If you haven't seen her on a movie poster lately, there’s a reason. Jami Gertz today isn't exactly hunting for her next IMDB credit, and honestly? She doesn't need to.
While the internet keeps trying to figure out how a woman who hasn't headlined a blockbuster in twenty years is worth more than Jerry Seinfeld and Tom Cruise combined, Gertz is busy running an NBA empire. We aren't talking about "millionaire" rich. We are talking about $8 billion to $12 billion rich.
It’s the kind of wealth that makes people uncomfortable because they can't quite categorize it. Was she a secret tech genius? No. Did she inherit a shipping dynasty? Nope. The story of Jami Gertz is actually a masterclass in long-term partnership and knowing when to pivot from being the "talent" to being the boss.
The "Richest Actress" Label: What’s the Catch?
Every few months, a viral tweet or a TikTok goes around with a list of the world's richest actors. People see Jami Gertz at the top and go, "Who?" It’s a fair reaction if you weren't watching Still Standing or The Neighbors. But the label is a bit of a technicality. Gertz isn't the world's richest actress because of her residuals from Sixteen Candles.
She’s at the top because of her marriage to Tony Ressler, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management and Ares Management. But before you roll your eyes and mutter "gold digger," you should know the history. When they met in 1987, Gertz was the one with the thriving career. She was the one paying for the dinners. She actually paid for their first house.
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"Everyone thinks I married a rich guy," she told The Hollywood Reporter in a rare moment of candidness. "But I made more money—way more money—than Tony when I met him."
Today, that dynamic has shifted into a massive financial partnership. They aren't just a couple; they're a conglomerate. Their wealth is tied up in private equity and sports ownership, specifically the Atlanta Hawks.
Owning the Court, Not Just a Court-Side Seat
If you go to a Hawks game in 2026, you won't see Jami Gertz sitting quietly in the back of a luxury box. She is the public face of the ownership group. While Tony handles the "numbers" side of the $125-billion-plus asset management world, Jami is the one at the NBA Board of Governors meetings.
It was a weird transition for the league at first. Imagine a bunch of suits and former players sitting around a table, and then there's the lady from Less Than Zero. But she leaned into it. She’s the one who pushed for the $200 million renovation of State Farm Arena and the construction of a state-of-the-art sports medicine center at Emory University.
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She basically swapped the red carpet for the hardwood.
Where is Jami Gertz Today?
She’s 60 now, and she’s aging with the kind of grace that only comes from not having to worry about a "comeback." She still pops up in projects when they interest her—like the 2022 rom-com I Want You Back—but acting has become a hobby.
Recently, she’s been seen at high-profile events in Atlanta, often sporting her signature curls (now with a few natural streaks of gray) and vibrant outfits that scream "I own the team." In August 2025, she made waves at the premiere of Magic City: An American Fantasy, a project she executive produced. It’s clear she’s more interested in being behind the camera—or the checkbook—than in front of it.
The Philanthropy Factor
You can’t talk about Gertz today without mentioning where that $12 billion goes. She and Tony are consistently ranked as some of the most generous donors in the celebrity world. We aren't just talking about gala tickets.
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- The Painted Turtle: A camp for kids with serious medical conditions where everything is free.
- Melanoma Research Alliance: Jami serves as a board director here, funding massive breakthroughs in skin cancer research.
- Gertz-Ressler High Academy: They literally built a school in Los Angeles.
Why She Still Matters
Most actors spend their entire lives terrified of the day the phone stops ringing. Gertz saw the phone stop ringing and decided to buy the phone company. Well, a basketball team, but you get the point.
She represents a shift in how we view "success" for women in Hollywood. She didn't let the industry's obsession with youth define her. When the lead roles dried up, she didn't disappear into bitterness or bad reality TV. She diversified.
She’s proof that your "second act" can be significantly bigger than your first. You just have to be willing to leave the stage.
How to Apply the "Gertz Strategy" to Your Life
- Marry a Partner, Not a Status: When Gertz met Ressler, he wasn't a billionaire. He was a guy with a vision. She supported him when she was the breadwinner, and that foundation created a multi-decade empire.
- Don't Fear the Pivot: If you're known for one thing, it’s easy to feel trapped. Gertz was a "teen star." Now she’s a "sports mogul." The label only sticks if you let it.
- Invest in What You Love: She didn't just buy a team for the ROI. She is at the games. she knows the players. Passion makes the business side feel less like a chore.
If you’re looking for her next movie, you might be waiting a while. But if you want to see a woman who successfully "won" the Hollywood game by playing a completely different one, just look at the owner's box in Atlanta.
Next Steps for You: If you’re interested in the business of sports, look into the recent valuation spikes of NBA franchises—it explains why Gertz’s net worth has jumped so drastically since 2015. You might also want to check out the Melanoma Research Alliance if you’re looking for a high-impact charity to support this year.