Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 1, 2025 · Entertainment

From '80s Icon to Billionaire: Meet the World's Richest Actress You Didn't Know

An actress who shot to fame in the 1980s but has since receded from the public eye and become a billionaire was unrecognizable when she was spotted this week

Billionaire Actress Jami Gertz Unrecognizable After 30 Years Out of Spotlight

Get ready for a juicy dose of Hollywood gossip! A certain actress, who shot to fame in the 1980s with a string of blockbuster movies and TV shows, has been spotted looking like a completely different person. And we're not just talking about a few extra pounds or a new hairdo – we're talking major transformation.

According to sources close to thestar, Jami Gertz, once a teen idol and cult favorite among 80s fans, was seen dining at an exclusive private members' club in West Hollywood this week. And let's just say she looked like she'd rather be anywhere else but under the paparazzi's lens.

She is Jami Gertz, who acted in 1980s classics like The Lost Boys and Sixteen Candles and is now married to business mogul Tony Ressler

Gertz, now 59, has been out of the spotlight for over a decade, with her last major TV role wrapping up on "The Neighbors" back in 2014. But what the public didn't know was that this talented actress had been quietly building an empire – or rather, empires – alongside her husband Tony Ressler.

A billionaire banker and private equity mogul, Ressler has amassed a staggering $14.2 billion net worth, according to Forbes. And it's estimated that his wife Jami raked in a whopping $12 billion of her own, making her one of the richest actresses in the world, as per Celebrity Net Worth.

So, what happened to this Hollywood A-lister? Did she retire from acting and focus on building a business empire with her hubby? Not exactly. Gertz has been quietly working behind the scenes, taking on smaller roles here and there, including a 2022 black comedy called "I Want You Back."

When she was seen out to lunch this week, Jami was the image of understated glamour in a powder blouse blouse, white trousers and matching loafers

But it's clear that Jami's priorities have shifted over the years. Gone are the days of blockbuster movies and red-carpet premieres; instead, she's now focused on her family and philanthropic endeavors.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in 2018, Gertz revealed that when she met Ressler in the 80s, he was just a "nice guy with a job." But what she didn't mention was that she was already making more money than him at the time. In fact, she paid for their first house and vacation – talk about a power couple!

Fast forward to today, and it's clear that Jami has not only caught up but surpassed her husband's wealth. And yet, when asked about their financial situation in an interview, Gertz downplayed it: "Everyone thinks I married a rich guy... But I made more money – way more money – than Tony when I met him."

Accessorizing with a scarlet handbag and a set of sunglasses, she brought along a blue wrap in case of a drop in temperatures

But the real juicy part of this story is that Jami and her hubby are co-owners of the NBA team the Atlanta Hawks. Yes, you read that right – they bought the team in 2015, amidst a scandal involving the previous owner's racist emails.

As we take a peek into the private lives of these billionaire power couples, it's clear that Jami Gertz has come full circle. From teen idol to business mogul, this talented actress-turned-billionaire has proven that there's more to life than just acting. But we can't help but wonder – what's next for this Hollywood legend?

TheScholarlyNote.com reached out to Jami Gertz's team for comment but did not receive a response.

Her venue of choice was the San Vicente Bungalows, an exclusive private members club in West Hollywood known for a glittering celebrity clientele

Timeline of Jami Gertz's Life and Career:

  • 1980s: Breakout role in "Less Than Zero" alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Andrew McCarthy
  • 1987: Played one half of a vampire couple in cult classic "The Lost Boys"
  • 1996: Starred in blockbuster thriller "Twister" with Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt
  • 2002-2006: Landed lead role on family sitcom "Still Standing"
  • 2014: Last major TV role ended on "The Neighbors"
  • 2022: Appeared in black comedy "I Want You Back"

A Timeline of Tony Ressler's Career:

Jami began her career as a child actress before landing her breakthrough at 21 in the 1987 addiction drama Less than Zero with Robert Downey, Jr. (center) and Andrew McCarthy (left)

  • 1980s: Worked at investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert Inc. (bankrupt after insider trading scandal)
  • 1990s: Co-founded Apollo Global Management and Ares Management, becoming a major private equity player
  • 2015: Bought Atlanta Hawks with Grant Hill

That year, she cemented her position as an enduring cult star of the decade by playing one half of a vampire couple with Kiefer Sutherland in The Lost Boys

Jami continued acting through the 1990s, landing what turned out to be her final movie to emerge as a major box office success - the 1996 thriller Twister