How Jami Gertz Became the Richest Actress in the World

There’s a moment in nearly every conversation about Hollywood wealth where someone mentions the actress from *The Lost Boys* who somehow ended up worth billions—that’s Jami Gertz, a familiar face from 80s blockbusters who, without much fanfare, became the richest actress in the world. Her net worth is estimated at $3 billion, placing her above Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift in the celebrity billionaire rankings.

Net worth: $3 billion (estimated) ·
Born: October 28, 1965 ·
Spouse: Tony Ressler (m. 1989) ·
Known for: The Lost Boys, Twister, Still Standing ·
Team ownership: Atlanta Hawks (part-owner)

Here are key facts about Jami Gertz.

Why is Jami Gertz a billionaire?

The short answer: she married well and the family invested early. But the full story involves a specific private equity firm, an NBA franchise, and decades of compound growth.

Her marriage to financier Tony Ressler

Gertz married Antony “Tony” Ressler in 1989. At the time, Ressler was a rising financier at Drexel Burnham Lambert. He went on to co-found Apollo Global Management in 1990 and later Ares Management in 1997 (Biography.com (entertainment reference)). Ares Management now oversees more than $400 billion in assets. That’s the engine behind the $3 billion net worth figure.

Early acting career and earnings

Gertz started acting as a teenager. She won a nationwide talent search in 1981 that landed her a role on Norman Lear’s Square Pegs. She later appeared in The Lost Boys (1987), Less Than Zero (1987), and Twister (1996). She also had a recurring role on Seinfeld. Her last major project was the sitcom The Neighbors, which ended in 2014 (EL PAÍS English (international news)). Acting earned her millions, but that sum is a tiny fraction of her current wealth.

Investment in Ares Management and Atlanta Hawks

The Ressler-Gertz family’s wealth accelerated when Ares Management went public. In 2015, the couple became majority owners of the Atlanta Hawks, purchasing the franchise for roughly $730 million (Fox Business (business news)). The franchise’s value has since appreciated significantly.

The pattern: Gertz’s wealth follows the arc of modern private equity growth, not Hollywood star salaries. For anyone asking “how did Jami Gertz become a billionaire,” the answer is Ressler’s founding stake in Ares Management and the Hawks purchase — both long-term holdings that compounded into nine figures.

What ethnicity is Jami Gertz?

Gertz was born in Chicago to a Jewish family. Her grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.

Her family background

She grew up in Glenview, Illinois, in what EL PAÍS English (international news) described as a working-class household. Her father worked in construction; her mother was a homemaker.

Ancestry details

Gertz has publicly identified as Jewish. Her ancestors were Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States in the early 20th century.

Why this matters: Gertz’s background stands in contrast to her current billionaire status. She came from a modest upbringing, not inherited wealth — which makes the wealth trajectory even more striking.

Who is richer, Jami Gertz or Oprah Winfrey?

Based on the most recent data from 2024-2025, Jami Gertz is richer than Oprah Winfrey.

Net worth comparison

Multiple outlets estimate Jami Gertz’s net worth at $3 billion as of 2024-2025 (Biography.com (entertainment reference)). Oprah Winfrey’s net worth was reported at $2.8 billion in a 2018 Forbes piece and later around $3 billion in 2025 reporting (Forbes (business finance authority)). The gap is narrow — roughly $200 million — but consistently in Gertz’s favor in recent estimates.

Sources of wealth for both

Oprah Winfrey built her fortune through media: her talk show, OWN network, O magazine, and endorsement deals. Her wealth is self-made and tied to her personal brand. Gertz’s wealth, by contrast, is primarily from her husband’s private equity holdings and shared investments.

The trade-off: Oprah’s wealth is entirely her own creation — she earned every dollar. Gertz’s wealth is family wealth. That distinction matters for the “richest actress” label.

Here is a comparison of three billionaires.

The implication: The label “richest actress” masks the fundamental difference between earned and inherited wealth.

Is Jami Gertz the richest actress in the world?

Yes — by total estimated net worth as of 2025. But the label requires a footnote.

Defining “richest actress”

EL PAÍS English (international news) described Gertz as “the richest woman in Hollywood.” Biography.com (entertainment reference) listed her among the wealthiest actors globally. But if you define “actress” strictly as someone whose primary income comes from acting, the title becomes murky.

Comparison with other wealthy actresses

Other wealthy actresses include Reese Witherspoon (estimated $400 million, mostly from production deals), Sandra Bullock ($250 million), and Julia Roberts ($250 million). None approach $3 billion. Even Oprah Winfrey, who acts occasionally, has a lower net worth by recent estimates. While other actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, and Julia Roberts boast significant fortunes, none approach the $3 billion mark, and even Oprah Winfrey has a lower net worth by recent estimates, making Jami Gertz’s Elton John’s net worth particularly noteworthy.

The implication: If you measure by total household net worth, Gertz wins. If you measure by acting-career earnings, she doesn’t come close to the top. The media tends to use the first definition because it makes a better headline.

Is Jami Gertz richer than Taylor Swift?

Yes, by roughly $2 billion.

Taylor Swift’s net worth

Taylor Swift was estimated at $1.1 billion as of 2024, according to reporting by ABC News (major news network). She achieved billionaire status through touring revenue, music catalog ownership, and endorsement deals.

Wealth sources comparison

Swift’s wealth is entirely self-generated from her music career. Gertz’s wealth, again, comes from family investments. The comparison highlights a structural difference: Swift earned hers through talent and touring; Gertz’s wealth grew through capital appreciation in private markets.

What this means: Gertz is richer by the numbers, but Swift is on track to potentially surpass her if the Eras Tour economics continue and Gertz’s family assets don’t see similar growth.

Timeline: From Square Pegs to standing at the billionaire’s table

Key milestones in Gertz’s career and wealth journey.

The timeline shows the clear pivot from acting to business ownership.

What the industry says

“She went from being the girl next door in 80s movies to one of the wealthiest women in Hollywood.”

— Fox Business (business news)

“The actress, who has not acted regularly in years, is worth more than Oprah.”

— EL PAÍS English (international news)

The full story of her rise to billionaire status, including her role as an NBA owner, is covered in her billionaire NBA story.

Frequently asked questions

For investors tracking celebrity wealth: Gertz’s net worth tracks the performance of Ares Management and the Atlanta Hawks franchise value, not her acting residuals. For anyone curious about the “richest actress” label: the title belongs to her in 2025, but the asterisk matters. For Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, the path is different — self-made, fully earned, and arguably more sustainable in the long run.