Jami Gertz rose to fame in the ’80s as the all-American girl next door in Square Pegs and a rebellious heartbreaker in films like The Lost Boys. Known as one of the decade’s “it girls,” she played bold, memorable roles before stepping beyond Hollywood.
Born in 1965 in Illinois, Gertz built a successful acting career with strong family support. But her life took a major turn after meeting financier Tony Ressler. Though she initially earned more, their partnership grew into one of Hollywood’s wealthiest, as Ressler co-founded Ares Management.
The couple married in 1989, raised three sons, and shifted focus to business and philanthropy. In 2014, they became part-owners of the Atlanta Hawks, with Gertz playing an active role in the team’s image and community presence.
Today, she’s known not just as an actress, but as a billionaire philanthropist, devoted mother, and NBA team owner—proving her impact goes far beyond the screen.