Jami Gertz’s journey from a working-class upbringing in Illinois to Hollywood stardom—and later, to becoming a reported billionaire—reads like a cinematic tale. Her early acting career took off in the 1980s with iconic roles in films like *Sixteen Candles*, *The Lost Boys*, and *Twister*, followed by memorable television appearances on *Seinfeld* and *ER*. Yet, her life took an even more transformative turn when she met businessman Tony Ressler in 1987, marrying him two years later.
Contrary to public assumption, Gertz was the higher earner when they met. "I made more money—way more money—than Tony when I met him,” she told *The Hollywood Reporter*. "I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation. I married him because I fell in love with him.” Over time, however, their partnership expanded into business, with Ressler co-founding Apollo Global and later Ares Management, which grew into a multibillion-dollar asset firm.
Together, they entered the world of professional sports, purchasing the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in 2015 and acquiring a minority stake in MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers. Ressler credits Gertz as a vital asset to the Hawks organization, especially in community and media engagement. "She makes a better impression on our fan base than any of us in the organization,” he acknowledged.
While Gertz scaled back from acting, she launched her own production company, Lime Orchard Productions, and later focused on philanthropic and community efforts. Both she and Ressler are deeply committed to giving back, having co-founded The Painted Turtle Camp, a nonprofit providing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses. As Gertz once wrote, she wanted to make community service "a family affair,” ensuring that generosity remained at the heart of their extraordinary story.
