Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Who is Jami Gertz?
There are names in Hollywood that spark up instant recognition and respect. Most of these stars have brought some of our favorite characters to life in ways that would not have been possible without their talents and efforts. Hollywood has been in the business of producing films for years now. As such, some actors have been in this business for a lot longer than some of us know.
Jami Gertz is a name that more mature movie watchers can instantly recognize. She has taken up many iconic roles during the duration of her career. She is well known as “Star” in the 1987 comedy horror film “The Lost Boys.” The show references Peter Pan’s crew in the fairy tale and follows the adventures of a bike gang that is secretly a brood of vampires. Gertz played the main love interest in a way that allowed watchers to sympathize with her plight.
Another excellent feather in the seasoned actress’s cap would be her role in the award-winning medical drama “E.R.” Everyone and their mother loved this show back in the day, and it’s easy to understand why. The show heralded a formula that many present-day medical dramas still follow. Gertz took on the role of Dr. Nina Pomerantz in the 1997 season of the show and pulled it off beautifully.
The actress has played several hard-hitting roles over the years and has made quite a few notable business moves. One worth mentioning is her part-ownership of the NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Jami Beth Gertz |
Popular Name: | Jami Gertz |
Gender: | Female |
Birth Date: | October 28, 1965 |
Age: | 57 years |
Parents: | Walter Gertz, Sharyn Gertz |
Siblings: | Michael Gertz, Scott Gertz |
Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Jewish-American |
Education: | Maine East Highschool, NYU |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Tony Ressler |
Children: | Oliver Ressler, Theo Ressler, Nicholas Ressler |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $3 Billion |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Business |
Height: | 5ft5 (1.65m) |
Weight: | 63kg (139lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
Jami Gertz was raised in conservative Judaism by her parents, Walter and Sharyn Gertz. She went to public school as a child, graduating from Maine East High School, Illinois, before moving to NYU for further education.
Gertz studied drama at NYU, and it was during this period her journey as a performer began. The film industry has become saturated over the years, making the discovery of true talent a lot more complicated, but it wasn’t always like that. Gertz had the potential and drive. All she needed was a shot. Thankfully, the young actress was discovered early by the seasoned writer and producer Norman Lear.
Norman has written and produced over 100 films and many sitcoms. Given Norman’s genre preference, it’s understandable why one of Jami Gertz’s earliest appearances was in the hit 80s sitcom “Different Strokes.”
Gertz took on quite a few roles after that, but one significant milestone in her acting journey was the role of “Blair” in the 80s movie “Less than Zero.” She took on the role alongside noteworthy stars like Andrew McCarthy and current marvel legend Robert Downey Jr. The drama film was a hit, with a compelling story, relatable characters, and a thrilling conclusion. At this stage, Gertz began to gain some recognition in the industry.
After this, she went on to play one of her most iconic roles in the Comedy Horror movie “The Lost Boys.” I have personally seen this movie, and I can understand the appeal. It’s a show that you can get lost in. Comedy and Horror should not go together, but “The Lost Boys” found a way to make it work. The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $32 million! It did so well that it inspired two sequels.
Jami Gertz has done wonderful things in the acting world. She is a muse of both stage and screen. I couldn’t even begin to cover all her roles over the years. But she isn’t just a darling of the screen.
Gertz is married to a businessman, Tony Ressler. Ressler is well known in the equity investment scene and is a billionaire in his own right. Jami Gertz has also made moves in the business world, jointly acquiring the Atlanta hawks alongside her husband.
Jami Gert’s Net Worth

The actress has been at it for quite a long time. She has acted in many films and series over the years, many of them commercial successes. She has also appeared live in theatres a couple of times. All of this, coupled with her shrewd work ethic and business orientation, thanks in part to her husband, account for her net worth of $3 Billion.
A Major share of her net worth is derived from her marriage to Tony Ressler and many of their joint business ventures. The power couple are doing very well for themselves.
Lessons from the Life of Jami Gertz
Work and Home Life Balance
“Being a working mom is not easy. You have to be willing to screw up at every level.” ~Jami Gertz
It’s never easy balancing work and family. That much is true for every single working-class parent out there. It never gets easier, especially when moving up in the world. You’re going to get hit with responsibilities from all sides. The key is knowing where to draw the line. But if Jami Gertz can find time to raise her three sons with all her acting roles and business responsibilities, then we have no excuse.
Do Not Ignore your Problems
“That’s human nature: the ups and downs” ~Jami Gertz
Every relationship is bound to hit a snag at some point. Disagreements will arise, whether it’s a parent-child relationship or the relationship between spouses. What matters the most is your ability to forgive and your willingness to work through the obstacles. Things could be much worse, regardless of how difficult the situation may seem.
Be Positive about Life
“If you can laugh, you can get through it. In our house, we laugh a lot.”
~Jami Gertz
Things happen every day that are out of our control. Ignoring the problems won’t make them go away. It would help if you were willing to face any issues that arise, with a smile on your face and hope in your eyes. The downs will fade, but if we let ourselves get overwhelmed, it could lead to even more significant problems in the future.