Earlier this year, actress Jami Gertz made headlines and her face was shared all over social media.
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However, this had nothing to do with the star's latest movie or TV role -- in fact, she hasn't appeared in anything for two years and only had four credits since 2015, according to her IMDb page.
No, Gertz made headlines after people discovered that she was the wealthiest actor on the planet.
In fact, to put her wealth into context, her estimated net worth is higher than Tom Hanks, Dwayne Johnson, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck... combined, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
And although fame and wealth often go hand-in-hand, part of the reason why Gertz made headlines earlier this year was because a lot of people still fail to recognize her, unlike the actors listed above.
After an image of the star went viral on social media, one person commented: "I’m off to Google first cos this is giving I don’t know who this person is."
Another added: "How come I hardly see Jami Gertz in movies? Did she make it from acting, or does she have other incomes?"
And although she may not be as recognizable as actors like Jennifer Aniston or Adam Sandler, Gertz has made many memorable appearances in movies like Twister and Sixteen Candles, as well as popular TV shows including Seinfeld, Modern Family, and This is Us.
But these roles aren't responsible for her eye-watering net worth, which is estimated to stand at $3 billion as of 2023, according to NME.
And that's because Gertz's ascent from a promising actress to one of the richest women in entertainment is a story of talent, smart investing, and strategic philanthropy.
While Gertz's early career brought her fame, her status as the wealthiest actor on the planet comes from several savvy business and investment decisions over the years.
Gertz is married to billionaire investor Tony Ressler - who co-founded Apollo Global Management and later Ares Management, firms with significant assets under management.
The couple has invested wisely, including acquiring stakes in the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Brewers, significantly boosting their financial portfolio.
In fact, Ressler himself is estimated to be worth around $11.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Beyond the world of finance and entertainment, Gertz is a also committed philanthropist.
Alongside her husband, she has contributed to various charitable causes, particularly focusing on education, health, and the arts. Their donations through the Ressler-Gertz foundation have supported organizations like LA's Cedar Sinai Medical Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, earning them a reputation for their generous support of community initiatives.
In 2012, the Giving Back Fund recognized them as top philanthropists following their $10 million contribution to the Ressler-Gertz Foundation, supporting the arts, education, health, and Jewish causes, per Forbes.
So, Gertz is not only the wealthiest actress in Hollywood - but potentially the most generous too.
