When you think of wealthy actors, who do you think of? The Rock, perhaps, or perhaps Margot Robbie? Both were among the highest-paid actors in 2023, after all.
But no, the wealthiest actor in the world is, in fact, someone you’ve probably never heard of.
Meet Jami Gertz
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile the name might not jog your memory, you may just remember her in films like The Lost Boys, Less Than Zero, or Crossroads (no, not the one with Britney Spears).
I happen to know her from Twister
Embed from Getty ImagesShe played Melissa, the far too understanding fiancée of Bill (Bill Paxton), a former storm chaser previously in a serious situationship with Jo (Helen Hunt). Melissa ends up bowing out gracefully when she realizes Bill and Jo aren’t over each other. Man, what a class act.
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But how on earth is she the richest actor in the world?
Embed from Getty ImagesSure, she’s been in some memorable movies and starred in a few TV shows — most notably The Neighbors, a sci-fi sitcom from 2012 that I had never heard of before right now but which sounds super cute — but that can’t be enough to amass a fortune, right?
Other people wondered that, too
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s not exactly unusual to question how someone whose acting credits don’t come close to the likes of Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, or George Clooney could be the wealthiest actor in the world.
And it’s not that she married rich
Embed from Getty ImagesYes, she and husband Tony Ressler are billionaires now, but when they met, she was the breadwinner.
“Everyone thinks I married a rich guy. But I made more money — way more money — than Tony when I met him,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
It was about love
Embed from Getty Images“I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation. I married him because I fell in love with him.”
The two met in 1986 when her publicist introduced them. Ressler was working at a banking firm.
“All I knew was that she was a working actress,” he said.
Together, they became a power couple
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Jami had a steady line-up of jobs in Hollywood, Ressler set out to begin his own private equity firm.
Apollo Global was a success, and Ressler went on to launch Ares Management, one of the most successful investment managing companies in the world.
Ares swoops in to take over struggling companies
Embed from Getty Images“We’re a $125-ish billion asset manager,” he said. “I guess the right quote would be, ‘We’re the most amazing investment firm in the history of the universe.’” Still not sure what that means, but I guess that’s why I’m not a billionaire.
The couple also own a basketball team
Embed from Getty ImagesAs Ressler’s success grew, the couple and their three children began fantasizing about owning a basketball team.
“When Mom married my dad, she realized how much he loved the sport and slowly started to gain an appreciation for the game,” their son, Nick, told THR. Naturally, owning a team seemed like a perfect fit.
They bought the Atlanta Hawks
The family poured everything into the team. Nick is now the Hawks’ coordinator of basketball services, while Jami and Ressler work on the Hawks’ image and behind-the-scenes maintenance.
So, there you go. Did you expect that to be the answer? Let us know in the comments!
