Jami Gertz rose to teen superstardom in the 1980s with roles in films like Sixteen Candles and a string of TV appearances, then shifted focus to family and her expanding business and philanthropic work. She married businessman Tony Ressler in 1989 and gradually stepped back from acting to prioritize their three children. Beyond acting, she became an investor and founder of Laurel Grove Capital, building a diversified portfolio that includes ownership stakes in the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Hawks, along with charitable leadership. The couple’s ventures have positioned them among Hollywood’s wealthiest households, with a combined net worth cited at over $10 billion, while their philanthropy emphasizes health and youth programs. Looking ahead, Gertz’s public profile centers on governance of her business and charitable initiatives as her empire grows.
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Gertz first gained recognition in the early 1980s as a film and television actress, later earning an Emmy nomination for her work on Ally McBeal, with notable titles including Sixteen Candles and Twisters referenced in profiles of her career. She intermittently returned to screen projects but increasingly prioritized family life after marrying Tony Ressler in 1989, stating that being a wife and mom came first.
Her shift from acting coincided with the growth of her off-screen pursuits. She co-founded and runs Laurel Grove Capital, an investment company through which she and Ressler manage their diversified holdings and strategic investments beyond entertainment.
Gertz and Ressler are major owners and influencers in professional sports, notably participating in the purchase group for the Milwaukee Brewers and owning the Atlanta Hawks, where she has also represented the team in NBA draft Lottery events in 2018–2020.
Philanthropically, the couple has supported causes through the Painted Turtle Camp for chronically ill children and served on boards such as the Melanoma Research Alliance, reflecting a focus on health and youth-related initiatives.
Public profiles emphasize the couple as financial equals, with Gertz noting in interviews that she contributed significantly to early family purchases and that her own earnings helped shape their early financial foundation, countering stereotypes about wealth in Hollywood.