Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jami Gertz’s Net Worth?
Jami Gertz, an American actress, sports team owner, and philanthropist, boasts a net worth of $8 billion. This substantial wealth is largely attributed to her marriage to Tony Ressler, a billionaire investor and sports team owner. While Gertz has enjoyed a successful acting career, her husband’s financial ventures significantly contribute to their combined net worth.
Sources of Jami Gertz’s Net Worth
The Ressler family’s wealth stems primarily from Tony Ressler’s successful career in finance. He is the co-founder of two major asset management firms: Apollo Global Management and Ares Management. Apollo Global Management manages approximately $500 billion in assets, while Ares Management oversees around $300 billion. Tony Ressler holds an estimated 30% equity stake in Ares Management.
Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler’s sports team ownership also contribute to their wealth. They are part-owners of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team and hold a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers. These investments further diversify their portfolio and contribute to their overall financial standing.
Jami Gertz’s Acting Career
Before marrying Tony Ressler, Jami Gertz established herself as a successful actress in the 1980s. She gained recognition for her roles in films such as “Crossroads” (1986), “Less Than Zero” (1987), and “The Lost Boys” (1987). These early roles showcased her versatility and solidified her presence in the entertainment industry. In “Crossroads,” she played Frances, a young woman who becomes involved in a blues musician’s journey. In “Less Than Zero,” she portrayed Elaine, a character navigating the dark side of wealthy Los Angeles youth. Her role as Star in “The Lost Boys” further cemented her status as a prominent actress.
Gertz successfully transitioned to television, securing roles in various series. She starred in the short-lived but critically acclaimed series “Square Pegs” (1982-1983), where she played Muffy Tepperman, a socially awkward high school student trying to fit in. She also had recurring roles in popular sitcoms such as “Seinfeld” and “Ally McBeal.” In “Seinfeld,” she played herself in “The Stall” episode (1991), where Jerry Seinfeld’s girlfriend refuses to spare a square of toilet paper. Her recurring role as Kimmy Bishop on “Ally McBeal” (2000-2002) earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2001.
From 2002 to 2006, Gertz starred as Judy Miller in the sitcom “Still Standing” alongside Mark Addy. More recently, she played Debbie Weaver in the science fiction sitcom “The Neighbors” from 2012 to 2014, appearing in 44 episodes. She has also had recurring roles on “This Is Us” and “Difficult People.” In “This Is Us”, she played Marin for 3 episodes from 2018 to 2019 and on “Difficult People”, she appeared in 2 episodes as herself in 2015. These television roles have provided consistent income and contributed to her overall net worth.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jami Gertz was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 28, 1965. She attended Maine East High School before enrolling at New York University (NYU). Gertz began her acting career in the early 1980s, with her first on-screen role in the 1981 film “On the Right Track”.
In her early career, Jami Gertz gained recognition through appearances in popular 1980s television shows like “Square Pegs,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” “The Facts of Life,” “Family Ties,” and “Dreams.” In the mid-1980s, she started taking on roles in film projects, including co-starring roles in “Sixteen Candles” (1984), “Solarbabies” (1986), “Less Than Zero” (1987), and “The Lost Boys” (1987). After living in France for a few years and working as a scent designer for Lanvin, she eventually made a return to acting in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Career Highlights and Notable Roles
In 1997, Jami Gertz played a recurring role as Dr. Nina Pomerantz on the television series “E.R.” She went on to secure guest-starring or co-starring roles in shows like “Sibs,” “Seinfeld,” “Ally McBeal,” “Still Standing,” and “Shark.” In 2002, she portrayed Gilda Radner in the biographical television movie “Gilda Radner: It’s Always Something.” From 2009 to 2010, Gertz played Marlo Klein in a recurring role on the series “Entourage.” In 2011, she made an appearance on the television series “Modern Family.” From 2012 to 2014, Gertz starred in 44 episodes of “The Neighbors.” She has also appeared in films such as “Twister” (1996) and “Keeping Up with the Steins” (2006). Gertz played Dr. Melissa Reeves in “Twister”, a storm chaser and the ex-wife of the main character. She also had a recurring role as Kimmy Bishop on “Ally McBeal” from 2000 to 2002, appearing in 5 episodes.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Jami Gertz married financier Antony Ressler in 1989. A year later, Tony co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management. He later left Apollo in 1997 to co-found Ares Management. Ressler owns an estimated 30% of Ares’ equity.
Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler first appeared on the Forbes billionaires list in 2015, with a net worth of $1 billion. By 2017, their net worth had increased to $1.8 billion. As of today, their combined net worth is estimated to be $8 billion. They have three children together.
Beyond their financial success, Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler are known for their philanthropic efforts. They have consistently ranked among the most generous celebrities in the world, and on occasion, have been the top celebrity donors to charity. They are the founding members of Painted Turtle Camp, an organization that provides camping trips for children with chronic and fatal illnesses. They are very active philanthropists, and have been at times, the #1 donor to charity out of any celebrity in the world.
Real Estate Holdings
Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler own primary residences in Malibu and Beverly Hills. Their Beverly Hills home is situated within an exclusive gated community, offering 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Neighbors include Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Eddie Murphy, and Mark Wahlberg. Although tax records show their house is worth a minimum of $30 million, it might fetch closer to $50 million on the open market.
Their Malibu home is located above Broad Beach, a highly desirable area. The property offers stunning ocean views and access to the beach. The exact address and purchase price of these properties are not publicly available; however, properties in these areas command premium prices.
