Jami Gertz, the iconic '80s screen queen, recently made a rare public appearance alongside her billionaire husband, Tony Ressler, at the opening gala for The David Geffen Galleries. This event not only showcased their enduring love but also highlighted their significant contributions to the arts, particularly through their generous donations to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
Gertz, who is now 60, looked radiant in a ribbed white gown, white coat with floral detailing, gray socks, and silver heels. Her gray-brown hair was styled in an elegant updo, and she accessorized with a white bag and dangly earrings. Ressler, on the other hand, was dapper in a black tuxedo with a black bowtie.
The couple's support for LACMA is particularly noteworthy. They have donated $50 million to the museum, and the south wing of the building will be named the Ressler Family Wing in their honor. Ressler also sits on the board of directors, further emphasizing their commitment to the arts.
Jami Gertz's journey to becoming a household name in the '80s was remarkable. She was discovered at 16 at a talent contest and quickly landed starring roles in films like 'Crossroads', 'Quicksilver', 'Less Than Zero', 'The Lost Boys', and 'Twister'. She also starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Square Pegs' and Brooke Shields in 'Endless Love'.
Her co-stars included the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy, Tom Cruise, Kiefer Sutherland, Katherine Hepburn, and Helen Hunt. However, everything changed when she met and fell in love with Tony Ressler in the mid-'80s. They were married by 1989, and Ressler, who was a banker at the time, had not yet made his fortune in private equity.
Gertz revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she actually made more money than Ressler when they met. She paid for their first house and vacation, and she married him because she fell in love with him. Today, Ressler is worth $10.9 billion, per Forbes, and the couple has made smart money moves by investing in several sports teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.
After buying the Hawks in 2015 for $720 million, the couple relocated to Atlanta in 2017 to be more involved in the day-to-day operations. Gertz took a step back from acting after this move, telling The Hollywood Reporter that it was a natural moment for her to take a break from acting, despite her love for the craft.
She made a brief return to Hollywood in 2022 with a role in the rom-com 'I Want You Back'. Gertz also ventured into the offscreen world of film and TV, launching the company Lime Orchard Productions in 2007. However, the company only found success with one film, 'A Better Life', before it shut down.
In conclusion, Jami Gertz's rare public appearance with her billionaire husband not only showcased their enduring love but also highlighted their significant contributions to the arts. Their journey from '80s screen queen to savvy business moves with her husband is a testament to her adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit. It raises a deeper question about the intersection of art and business, and what it means to be a successful and fulfilled individual in the modern world.
