Jami Gertz was discovered at the age of 16 through a nationwide talent search sponsored by producer Norman Lear, which led to her breakout role as Muffy Tepperman in the CBS sitcom "Square Pegs" (1982-83) alongside Sarah Jessica Parker124. Early in her career, Gertz appeared in popular TV shows such as "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life," and made her film debut in the 1981 romance film "Endless Love"45. These initial roles set the stage for her subsequent success in the entertainment industry.

Jami Gertz's transition from acting to business investments has been a key factor in her remarkable financial success. While she gained fame through her acting career in the 1980s and 1990s, Gertz's wealth primarily stems from her business ventures and investments with her husband, Tony Ressler. The couple co-owns the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, purchased for $720 million in 2015, and holds a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers14. Gertz is also involved in various business endeavors, including founding JG&A, LLC, a consulting firm for start-ups, and co-founding Henry Rose, a lifestyle collection company1. Her business acumen has been praised by Ressler, who noted her significant contributions to their sports franchise operations3. This diversification into sports team ownership, private equity, and entrepreneurship has propelled Gertz's net worth to an estimated $3 billion, making her one of the wealthiest actors in the world145.

The Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, established by Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler, has made significant philanthropic contributions, particularly in Atlanta. In 2020, the foundation committed $5 million to the Herman J. Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE) to support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs12. This donation was part of a larger $40 million investment aimed at bolstering economic empowerment in Atlanta's Black community1. The foundation has also partnered with the Atlanta Hawks, which Ressler and Gertz own, to expand diversity and inclusion initiatives, including a $10 million pledge to the NBA Foundation12. Additionally, the foundation has supported various causes, including prostate cancer research, donating $150,000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in collaboration with the Atlanta Hawks Foundation3.