Jami Gertz, once a Hollywood starlet, is now the world’s richest actress with an $8 billion fortune—surpassing industry giants—thanks to early acting success, savvy investments, and co-owning the Atlanta Hawks with her billionaire husband Tony Ressler.

In the glittering world of Hollywood, where names like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Lopez dominate the headlines and the red carpets, it might surprise many to learn that the wealthiest actor in the world isn’t a box office megastar, pop icon, or even a director with a lifetime of hits.

Instead, it’s Jami Gertz—a name familiar to fans of 1980s classics but not one usually associated with staggering financial empires.

With an estimated net worth of around $8 billion, Gertz has quietly become the richest actress on the planet, surpassing even global powerhouses like Taylor Swift and Steven Spielberg.

At 59, Gertz’s fortune dwarfs that of her more visibly famous peers. For comparison, Tom Cruise reportedly earned $43 million last year, Brad Pitt brought in $31.5 million, and Jennifer Lopez, despite her sprawling empire of music, film, fashion, and fragrance lines, is worth an estimated $150 million.

Gertz, on the other hand, built her wealth through an unconventional path that blends early success in Hollywood with smart business ventures and a partnership with one of the most successful private-equity moguls in the world—her husband, Tony Ressler.

Long before Gertz became a billionaire, she was a rising star in the 1980s, earning fame for roles in cult classics like The Lost Boys and Less Than Zero.

Her natural charm and girl-next-door charisma made her a popular figure during the Brat Pack era, and she continued to find success with roles in films like Twister (1996) and TV shows such as Still Standing. Despite a solid acting résumé, it was her pivot to business that truly changed her trajectory.

Gertz met Ressler in the late 1980s through her publicist. At the time, he was working for the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, which would later collapse in a high-profile junk bond scandal.

Gertz was performing in a small Los Angeles play and was already an established working actress. According to Gertz, the assumption that she married into wealth has always been inaccurate.

“I made more money—way more—than Tony when I met him,” she once said. “I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation.” It was her success and independence that laid the groundwork for an equal partnership.

That partnership would evolve into one of the most financially fruitful in Hollywood. Ressler went on to co-found two immensely successful private-equity firms—Apollo Global Management in 1990 and Ares Management in 1997.

As his wealth grew, Gertz shifted her focus from acting to joining him in major investment ventures. Their shared ambition and mutual support fueled their ascent into the billionaire class.

Despite stepping back from acting, Gertz didn’t entirely disappear from the entertainment industry. In 2010, she launched Lime Orchard Productions to create content on her own terms.

Unfortunately, the company didn’t meet expectations, with only the 2011 film A Better Life—which earned its star Demian Bichir an Oscar nomination—gaining critical recognition. The rest of the ventures failed to gain traction, and Gertz admitted to losing millions of dollars in the process.

But the setback didn’t slow her down. As Ressler’s business expanded, so did their vision for broader investments. In the mid-2010s, the couple became increasingly involved in professional sports, an arena where billionaires often seek prestige and influence.

Their first attempt was to buy the Los Angeles Clippers after a scandal forced then-owner Donald Sterling to sell. While they lost that bid to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, a second opportunity arose when the Atlanta Hawks went up for sale under similar circumstances in 2015.

This time, Gertz and Ressler emerged victorious, securing a controlling stake in the NBA franchise. Since then, they have revitalized the team’s infrastructure, including building a massive 90,000-square-foot training center and renovating the State Farm Arena.

Much of the funding came from taxpayers—around $142.5 million—while the couple and their investor group contributed $50 million. It was a shrewd business move that solidified their place among sports’ most influential ownership teams.

Though Ressler prefers to stay behind the scenes, Gertz has taken a visible role as the public face of the Atlanta Hawks’ ownership. Her celebrity background, natural charisma, and philanthropic efforts have made her an effective and engaging figurehead.

Over the years, she’s formed close ties with key players in the entertainment and business world, including Disney CEO Bob Iger and other high-ranking executives, thanks in part to the exclusive events she and Ressler host.

Now mostly retired from acting, Gertz has leaned fully into her role as a businesswoman, philanthropist, and public ambassador for her family’s ventures.

She and Ressler are also known for their charitable work, donating millions to educational, cultural, and health-related causes. Their giving has touched institutions ranging from medical centers to arts foundations, cementing their legacy beyond just financial success.

Despite her low public profile compared to Hollywood’s most heavily promoted names, Gertz’s story is a testament to the power of reinvention, savvy partnership, and long-term vision.

She didn’t just marry a billionaire—she helped build the empire. And in doing so, she quietly surpassed some of the entertainment industry’s most celebrated icons to become its richest.

For anyone wondering how wealth and power are truly built in Hollywood, Jami Gertz’s journey is proof that the brightest stars don’t always shine on screen—they often shine behind the scenes, where the real moves are made.