Last Updated on September 22, 2023
Jami Beth Gertz is an American actress. Gertz is best known for starring in the films Crossroads (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), Less than Zero (1987), and Listen to Me (1989), as well as the 1980s television series Square Pegs.
Although Gertz registered moderate success as an actress, she gained tremendous fame over the years after marrying billionaire Tony Ressler. Ressler is a co-owner of the National Basketball Association’s Atlanta Hawks. He and his wife also manage several other profitable ventures.
Gertz may be a billionaire courtesy of her marriage to Ressler. But as you shall find, The Lost Boys actress did not marry Ressler for his money.
Jami Gertz Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Jami Beth Gertz |
| Popular Name: | Jami Gertz |
| Nicknames: | N/A |
| Birth Date: | October 28, 1965 |
| Age: | 57 Years |
| Parents: | Sharyn and Walter Gertz |
| Siblings: | Michael Gertz and Scott Gertz |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Ashkenazi Jewish |
| Religion: | Judaism |
| Education: | Maine East High School and New York University |
| Marital Status: | Married to billionaire businessman Antony Ressler (since 1989) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | Oliver Jordan Ressler, Nicholas Simon Ressler, and Theo Ressler |
| Net Worth: | USD 8 billion (as at September 1, 2023) |
| Source of Wealth: | Acting and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 4″ (1.65 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 63 kg; In pounds: 139 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Jami Gertz was born on October 28, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, to Walter Gertz and Sharyn Gertz. Her father was a builder and contractor whereas little is known concerning her mother’s profession.
Jami has two brothers – Michael Gertz and Scott Gertz.
Education Background
Jami Gertz attended public schools despite coming from a fairly well-to-do family. She graduated from Maine East High School located in Park Ridge, Illinois.
After graduating from high school, Gertz pursued drama at New York University.
Career Breakthrough
Jami Gertz kicked off her acting career in her teenage years. She made her film debut in 1981 by appearing in the romance movie Endless Love.
From 1982 – 1983, Gertz co-starred in the television sitcom series Square Pegs. She also appeared in a 1983 episode of Diff’rent Strokes, alongside another future successful actor Andrew Dice Clay. Her other noteworthy television appearance during this period was a recurring role on The Facts of Life (1983 – 1984), Solarbabies (1986), and Crossroads (1986).
Jami Gertz received even more attention following her starring roles in The Lost Boys (1987) and Listen to Me (1989). Gertz also traveled to Paris, France, during this period and had a short stint as a scent designer for Lanvin. However, she soon returned to the United States and went back to acting. She starred in the film Jersey Girl (1992), appeared in an episode of Seinfeld (1994), had a lead role in the television movie This Can’t Be Love (1994), and had a supporting role in the film Twister (1996).
In 1997, Jami Gertz landed a recurring role in the television series ER. She also had a recurring role on Ally McBeal in 2000, before returning to the role for one episode during the show’s final season in 2002.
Gertz starred in the 2002 television film Gilda Radner: It’s Always Something. She later starred in Still Standing (2002 – 2006). This is considered her most successful television role so far.
In 2003, Jami Gertz starred in Undercover Christmas. Two years later, she had a lead role in the television film Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story.
From 2009 to 2010, Gertz appeared in several episodes of Entourage. The following year, she appeared as a guest in an episode of Modern Family. She also received a producer’s credit for her role in the film A Better Life. The limited-release movie was nominated for the Academy Award.
Gertz joined the cast of the ABC sitcom The Neighbors in 2012 and went on to star in the show until 2014. This is arguably her biggest television project in recent years.
Jami Gertz’s Net Worth
Jami Gertz has been acting for well over four decades. Her on-screen endeavors have earned her considerable fame while also translating into millions of dollars in her bank accounts.
As at September 1, 2023, Gertz had a net worth of $8 billion. That’s enough to make her the richest actor on the planet and the second richest celebrity after George Lucas, who has a net worth of over $10 billion. Gertz ties in second place with Steven Spielberg.
However, Jami’s net worth isn’t attributable to acting alone. As a matter of fact, the bulk of her wealth is a result of her marriage to billionaire Antony Ressler.
Ressler is a renowned businessman and sports team owner. He earned his billions in the private equity sector. The business mogul is also a co-founder of Ares Management and Apollo Global Management, which manage assets worth at least $300 billion and $500 billion, respectively.
But more interesting is that Jami Gertz didn’t marry Ressler for his money. In fact, the couple was struggling financially around the time they tied the knot, and Jami was more like the breadwinner. Ressler’s employer collapsed in 1989 following a mega corporate scandal that had global implications. So, it’s safe to say that Gertz and Ressler have built their billion-dollar empire together.
Jami Gertz and her husband Ressler also own an impressive real estate portfolio. The couple has their primary homes in Malibu and Beverly Hills. Their Beverly Hills property is situated in an exclusive gated community and sits atop a mountain that provides a 360-degree view of Los Angeles. According to tax records, the home is worth over $30 million. Famous neighbors include actors Sylvester Stallone, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, and Eddie Murphy.
Private Life
Jami Gertz has been married to business executive and sports team owner Tony Ressler since 1989. The couple has three sons – Oliver Jordan Ressler, Nicholas Simon Ressler, and Theo Ressler.
Lessons from Jami Gertz
1. Fortune favors early starters
Jami Gertz is one of the many accomplished actors who attribute their success to starting early. Gertz began acting in her teenage years. She also knew she was destined for a career on the big screen right from the get-go. That might explain why she chose to pursue drama at New York University.
2. Know what you want and go for it
Success also has a lot to do with discovering your talents and passions, then pursuing them diligently. Gertz discovered her passion for acting during her childhood and she was not about to let any distraction get in the way of her ambitions. This is evidenced by the fact that she landed a scent designer job in France but chose to return to the United States to pursue her acting dreams.
3. Make the most of every opportunity
Jami Gertz is known to give a good account of herself in every acting gig that she accepts. No wonder she has had multiple recurring television roles, even after becoming a billionaire. That’s certainly a key take-home lesson for any aspiring actor.
Famous Quotes by Jami Gertz
• Being a Hot Mom means being respected as a mom and a woman. And, the key to being a Hot Mom is having a sense of humor about yourself and all the crazy situations that arise.
• If you can feed your family, give them an education, then you are a success.
• Midwest kids got to summer camp. There is something very special about being away from your parents for the first time, sleeping under the stars, hiking and canoeing.
• The great equalizer is health. If you don’t have it, you’re screwed.
• They see a work ethic in both of us. But, they also see that my husband is more in control of his future, and I am more reliant on other sources for my career.
Final Word
Jami Gertz is an accomplished actress with experience spanning over four decades. Gertz has earned millions from her various acting roles. However, the majority of her $8 billion net worth is due to family businesses that she co-owns with her husband Antony Ressler.
