Jami Gertz: Hollywood Icon Turned Billionaire

You might recognize her from ’80s classics like Less Than Zero, the blockbuster Twister (1996), or the sitcom Still Standing. Yet, the 59-year-old actress rarely appears on lists of the richest celebrities.

Her quiet public profile masks a remarkable story of wealth and success. Gertz has built a fortune through acting, investing, NBA team ownership, and philanthropy.

Net Worth That Surpasses A-List Stars

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jami Gertz is worth an estimated $12 billion.

• She surpasses pop superstar Taylor Swift ($1.5B), Selena Gomez ($700M), and even media mogul Oprah Winfrey ($4B).

• Her fortune proves that Hollywood fame isn’t always tied to public visibility.

From Hollywood Starlet to Business Powerhouse

Born on October 28, 1965, in Chicago, Gertz grew up in a working-class family. She gained fame in the 1980s with roles in Square Pegs and The Lost Boys.

Her life changed in 1987 when she met Tony Ressler, a banker at the time. They married in 1989. Today, Gertz emphasizes that her wealth isn’t merely inherited:

“Everyone thinks I married a rich guy. But I made more money, way more money, than Tony when I met him,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

Image credits: Warner Bros.

NBA Ownership: A Game-Changing Move

In 2015, Tony Ressler purchased the Atlanta Hawks for $720 million, making Gertz a co-owner. She recalled the moment from their home closet:

“I was so scared. Then we were jumping and screaming, ‘Oh my God, we just bought a basketball team!’”

The investment skyrocketed. Forbes valued the Hawks at $825 million initially. By 2025, the franchise’s value reached $3.8 billion.

Their son Nick said, “When Mom married my dad, she slowly started to appreciate his love for the sport. Eventually, it became a family dream.”

Diverse Ventures and Assets

Gertz and Ressler own multiple properties:

• A Beverly Hills mansion valued at $30–50 million

• A Malibu home overlooking Broad Beach

She also launched Lime Orchard Productions in 2010, producing projects behind the camera. Their Ressler Gertz Family Foundation donated $5 million to support Black-owned businesses.

Gertz’s wealth comes from smart investments, strategic ventures, and diversified assets, not just acting or marriage.

Jami Gertz proves that quiet success can be monumental. From acting in Hollywood classics to owning an NBA team and managing billions in assets, her life reads like a screenplay.

Her story challenges assumptions about fame, fortune, and the paths to real wealth.