If you were to guess the richest actor, you’d likely think of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars – perhaps George Clooney, Meryl Streep, or Angelina Jolie.
But the actual wealthiest actor is someone you’ve likely never heard of.
In fact, this individual is reportedly worthing a staggering amount, though she stays largely out of the spotlight.
Actress Jami Gertz holds an estimated net worth of $3 billion (approximately £2.45 billion), making her the wealthiest actor in the world.
People have taken to social media and reacted after learning of this lesser-known star’s immense wealth.
One person remarked: “Jami Gertz? Never heard of her.”
Another wondered: “Why don’t I see Jami Gertz in more movies? Is her wealth from acting, or does she have other sources of income?”
“I’m off to Google this – I don’t know who this person is,” commented a third.
Gertz is best recognized for her roles in The Lost Boys, Sixteen Candles, and Twister, but you may also recognize her from appearances in TV shows such as Seinfeld and Modern Family.
Although she has had a successful acting career, it’s not the primary source of her wealth.
Jami Gertz is married to billionaire Antony “Tony” Ressler, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be around $11 billion.
The couple tied the knot in 1989 and have four children together: sons Oliver, Nicholas, and Theo, and daughter Abigail.
Ressler co-founded the private equity firm Apollo Global Management in 1990 alongside his brother-in-law, Leon Black. He later went on to co-found Ares Management, stepping down as CEO in 2017.
In addition to his business ventures, Ressler holds a partial ownership stake in the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and a minority interest in the Milwaukee Beavers.
Beyond their financial success, Gertz and Ressler are dedicated philanthropists. In 2012, they were recognized by the Giving Back Fund as the largest charitable donors after contributing more than $10 million to the Ressler Gertz Foundation, which supports initiatives in the arts, education, health, and Jewish communities.
Gertz is also actively involved in health advocacy and serves on the board of directors for the Melanoma Research Alliance, a leading nonprofit dedicated to skin cancer research.
Amid speculation about her wealth, Jami Gertz has pushed back against claims that her fortune is solely due to her husband.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she clarified: “I was making significantly more money than Tony when we first met. I paid for our first house and our first vacation. I married him because I loved him, not for his bank account.”
Gertz and Tony Ressler met in their twenties. Although he knew she was an actress, he wasn’t familiar with her body of work at the time.
With a laugh, Gertz shared: “He was a nice guy with a steady job—which is exactly what any Jewish girl from Glenview would hope for. Sure, a doctor or a lawyer would’ve been ideal, but a banker was close enough.”
