Hustle and Heart: Jami Gertz's Transformation from '80s Star to Billionaire Sports Mogul
Transforming from '80s Screen Star to NBA Millionaire: Jami Gertz's Journey from 'Lost Boys' to Atlanta Hawks Owner
Wanna know how Jami Gertz, the '80s child actress you knew from shows like "Square Pegs" and "The Facts of Life," skyrocketed to become a billionaire co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks? Let's dive into her incredible journey!
Kickstarting her acting career in 1982 on the CBS sitcom "Square Pegs," Gertz charmed her way onto our screens alongside other hits like "The Facts of Life," "Diff'rent Strokes," and "Family Ties" [1][3]. In the '80s, her movie roles shone bright too, with smashes including "Sixteen Candles," "The Lost Boys," and "Less Than Zero" [1][2].
Then, while filming the timeless vampire flick "The Lost Boys," she crossed paths with Tony Ressler, a banker from the now-defunct Drexel Burnham Lambert [1]. Love bit, they tied the knot in 1988, but that was just the beginning of their journey towards the top [1].
Post-matrimony, Ressler's career took off, co-founding Apollo Global Management and later Ares Management. Both of these financial institutions became major successes, significantly boosting their combined fortune [2].
Fast forward to today, and Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler are the public faces of the Atlanta Hawks, with a net worth well over $12 billion combined [1][2]. They've not just dipped their toes into the sports industry; they've dove headfirst, making their mark as the co-owners of the Hawks and the Milwaukee Brewers [1].
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jami marveled at her journey, setting the record straight on any 'girl-meets-billionaire' tales [1]. "Everyone thinks I married a rich guy. But I made more money - way more money - than Tony when I met him. I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation. I married him because I fell in love with him," she revealed [1].
From transitioning from acting to sports ownership, Jami Gertz continues to inspire with her hustle and heart. Today, she's the face of the Atlanta Hawks, taking charge and embodying the spirit of the team from the NBA draft to renovating State Farm Arena [1]. Proving that she doesn't just play the part, she's living it.
- Jami Gertz's transformation from an '80s child actress to a billionaire sports mogul was not a result of marrying a rich man, as many might think; instead, she made more money than her husband, Tony Ressler, when they first met.
- Gertz and Ressler, co-owners of the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Brewers, didn't just invest in the sports industry; they immersed themselves fully, demonstrating their hustle and heart.
- Ressler's career in finance took a significant leap forward when he co-founded Apollo Global Management and later Ares Management, both of which became major successes, significantly boosting their combined fortune.
- Gertz's investing acumen is evident in her strategic decisions in real-estate, business, entertainment, and even sports-betting, making her a multi-faceted billionaire.
