Latest news with #LessThanZero
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollywood's richest actor (who you've never heard of) out earned stars like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Lopez
Hollywood's richest actor has amassed a fortune that is many times the net worth of Tinseltown's better known stars. And her path to unimaginable wealth would seem simple enough, since she's married to a multi-billionaire businessman who founded multiple private-equity firms. But, according to Jami Gertz, she acquired her own multi-billion-dollar fortune thanks to her and her husband's ingenuity, as she was making more money than he was when they first met in the 1980s. The 59-year-old Twister actress is now worth around $8billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which makes her far wealthier than some of Hollywood biggest stars, including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez. Gertz's riches even exceed those of other famously wealthy artists, like Taylor Swift, who is worth $1.6billion after the success of her Eras Tour, and Steven Spielberg, whose blockbuster films and lucrative contracts have made him round $5.3billion. As Gertz explains it, she put her lucrative acting career on the back burner after getting married and focused on joining her husband Tony Ressler - worth $10.9billion, according to Forbes - in making high-profile business deals. Riches: Her wealth far exceeds much more famous Hollywood stars, including Brad Pitt with $31.5m, and Tom Cruise with $43m In a 2018 Hollywood Reporter profile, Lost Boys star clarified that her ascent to the ranks of the ultra-wealth wasn't as simple as just marrying into wealth. 'Everyone thinks I married a rich guy,' she said. 'But I made more money - way more money - than Tony when I met him. 'I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation,' she continued. 'I married him because I fell in love with him.' Gertz's publicist put her in touch with Ressler, who was working at the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, which would file for bankruptcy in 1990 due to illegal junk bond trading. At the time, Gertz was starring with her Lost Boys costar Jason Patric in a small play 'about two people committing suicide every night.' In the same profile, Ressler said he didn't know much about his future wife at the time, other than that she was a 'working actress,' and he wasn't even familiar with the films and TV shows she had made up to that point. But the connection was instantaneous for the two, though Gertz joked that her family might have preferred it if she had married 'a doctor or a lawyer.' Gertz would go on to have high-profile success alongside some of the biggest stars of the 1980s and beyond. In 1987, she appeared in Less Than Zero with Brat Pack members Robert Downey Jr. and Andrew McCarthy, and The Lost Boys, which had an ensemble cast of rising stars including Patric, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. One of her biggest roles in the 1990s was a supporting part as the fiancée of Bill Paxton's character in Twister (1996), and she later focused on television in the next two decades with a lead role on CBS' sitcom Still Standing and ABC's sci-fi comedy The Neighbors. But Gertz's roles have become rarer in recent years, and she hasn't been credited in anything after 2022's rom-com I Want You Back, which starred Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. In place of acting, she has increasingly followed her husband's lead into business. Ressler made the move to Los Angeles in the late '80s to support his wife's acting career, but after co-founding the private-equity firm Apollo Global in 1990, followed by Ares Management in 1997, he quickly eclipsed her earnings. Gertz was inspired in 2010 to create her own production company, Lime Orchard Productions, which gave her a new income stream just as roles were becoming scarcer. 'You reach an age, and you slow down, and the jobs are a little hard to come by,' she said of acting. But Lime Orchard turned out to be a false start, as it was large unsuccessful, with only the 2011 film A Better Life counting as a success after it earned its star Demian Bichir an Oscar nomination. According to Gertz, she flushed away millions of dollars on the failed production company. Her next move was to focus on building connections with wealthy industry figures in Hollywood, such as Disney CEO Bob Iger, who was a guest at some of her opulent holiday parties. Around that time, Ressler began itching to control his own sports teams. The two went on to join Mark Attanasio's investment group to buy a baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Then Ressler, a Los Angeles Lakers superfan, decided they should buy an NBA team. He and Gertz first attempted to snatch up the Los Angeles Clippers after former owner Donald Sterling's racist scandal forced a sale, though Steve Ballmer was ultimately triumphant. They got a second chance in 2015, when they won an auction for a controlling stake in the Atlanta Hawks after a similar racist scandal forced the sale. After becoming owners of the Hawks, Gertz and Ressler built a 90,000-square-foot training compound and sports medicine center for the team's use at Emory University. They also renovated the team's arena, but like many other pro sports team owners, they convinced taxpayers to foot the vast majority of the bill - around $142.5million - while they and their fellow investors only had to pay $50million, even though they stood to earn the most from the team's success. Since taking over the team, Gertz's acting history made her a logical choice to be the public face of the duo, while Ressler could continue working behind the scenes. Now that the couple have joined the ranks of the ultra-wealthy, they have also became major philanthropists.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How the richest actor in the world zoomed ahead of wealthy stars like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez
She has amassed a fortune over the years that is multiple times the size of several of the wealthiest Hollywood stars' net worths. And her path to unimaginable wealth would seem simple enough, since she's married to a multi-billionaire businessman who founded multiple private-equity firms. But, according to Jami Gertz, she acquired her own multi-billion-dollar fortune thanks to her and her husband's ingenuity, as she was making more money than he was when they first met in the 1980s. The 59-year-old Twister actress is worth around $8 billion now, according to Celebrity Net Worth, which makes her far wealthier than some of Hollywood biggest stars, including Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez. Gertz's riches even exceeds that of other famously wealthy artists, like Taylor Swift, who is worth $1.6 billion after the success of her Eras Tour, and Steven Spielberg, who blockbuster films and enviable contracts have made him worth around $5.3 billion. As Gertz explains it, she put her lucrative acting career on the back burner after getting married and focused on joining her husband Tony Ressler — worth $10.9 billion, according to Forbes — in making high-profile business deals. Jennifer Lopez is wildly wealthy due to her music, film and TV careers and investments, but she is only worth $150M; pictured April 3 in NYC In a 2018 Hollywood Reporter profile, Lost Boys star clarified that her ascent to the ranks of the ultra-wealth wasn't as simple as just marrying into wealth. 'Everyone thinks I married a rich guy,' she said. 'But I made more money — way more money — than Tony when I met him. 'I paid for our first house. I paid for our first vacation,' she continued. 'I married him because I fell in love with him.' Gertz's publicist put her in touch with Ressler, who was working at the investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert, which would file for bankruptcy in 1990 due to illegal junk bond trading. At the time, Gertz was starring with her Lost Boys costar Jason Patric in a small play 'about two people committing suicide every night.' In the same profile, Ressler said he didn't know much about his future wife at the time, other than that she was a 'working actress,' and he wasn't even familiar with the films and TV shows she had made up to that point. But the connection was instantaneous for the two, though Gertz joked that her family might have preferred it if she had married 'a doctor or a lawyer.' Gertz would go on to have high-profile success alongside some of the biggest stars of the 1980s and beyond. In 1987, she appeared in Less Than Zero with Brat Pack members Robert Downey Jr. and Andrew McCarthy, and The Lost Boys, which had an ensemble cast of rising stars including Patric, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. One of her biggest roles in the '90s was a supporting part as the fiancée of Bill Paxton's character in Twister (1996), and she later focused on television in the next two decades with a lead role on CBS' sitcom Still Standing and ABC's sci-fi comedy The Neighbors. But Gertz's roles have become rarer in recent years, and she hasn't been credited in anything after 2022's rom-com I Want You Back, which starred Charlie Day and Jenny Slate. In place of acting, she has increasingly followed her husband's lead into business. Ressler made the move to Los Angeles in the late '80s to support his wife's acting career, but after co-founding the private-equity firm Apollo Global in 1990, followed by Ares Management in 1997, he quickly eclipsed her earnings. Gertz was inspired in 2010 to create her own production company, Lime Orchard Productions, which gave her a new income stream just as roles were becoming scarcer. 'You reach an age, and you slow down, and the jobs are a little hard to come by,' she said of acting. But Lime Orchard turned out to be a false start, as it was large unsuccessful, with only the 2011 film A Better Life counting as a success after it earned its star Demian Bichir an Oscar nomination. According to Gertz, she flushed away millions of dollars on the failed production company. Her next move was to focus on building connections with wealthy industry figures in Hollywood, such as Disney CEO Bob Iger, who was a guest at some of her opulent holiday parties. Around that time, Ressler began itching to control his own sports teams. The two went on to join Mark Attanasio's investment group to buy a baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Then Ressler, a Los Angeles Lakers superfan, decided they should buy an NBA team. He and Gertz first attempted to snatch up the Los Angeles Clippers after former owner Donald Sterling's racist scandal forced a sale, though Steve Ballmer was ultimately triumphant. They got a second chance in 2015, when they won an auction for a controlling stake in the Atlanta Hawks after a similar racist scandal forced the sale. After becoming owners of the Hawks, Gertz and Ressler built a 90,000-square-foot training compound and sports medicine center for the team's use at Emory University. They also renovated the team's arena, but like many other pro sports team owners, they convinced taxpayers to foot the vast majority of the bill — around $142.5 million — while they and their fellow investors only had to pay $50 million, even though they stood to earn the most from the team's success. Since taking over the team, Gertz's acting history made her a logical choice to be the public face of the duo, while Ressler could continue working behind the scenes. Now that the couple have joined the ranks of the ultra-wealthy, they have also became major philanthropists.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- The Independent
I escaped Amalfi's infamous traffic by travelling by bike – this is what it's like to cycle one of the most beautiful coasts in Europe
Here's the truth: I'm scared of the chaotic roads in my homeland of Italy. It's a bit like Bret Easton Ellis's opening declaration in his debut novel, Less Than Zero, about people's fear of merging on freeways in LA. But instead of five-lane motorways and 18-wheelers speeding past, I'm terrified of Italy's unruly mopeds, wandering pedestrians, and narrow, twisty curves along steep cliffs – all sights that make the Amalfi Coast both an iconic destination and one of the most overcrowded. Today, I'm hopping on a bike to find an alternative way to enjoy the coast's unmissable views without the crowds. 'We stopped offering the classic cycling experience along the busy Amalfi Drive, especially during the summer,' Peter Hoogstaden tells me in a strong Neapolitan accent. A Dutch engineer who moved here over 25 years ago, Peter is one of the pioneers of Italy's active and sustainable tourism, and my guide for today's nearly 25-mile cycling tour. We are starting in the Unesco town of Minori – a lesser-known but strategic base for outdoor activities, just 2.5 miles from Amalfi – continuing up to glamorous Ravello, then through the green mountains to Tramonti, and ending in the seaside town of Maiori. 'We must think beyond the usual itineraries and tourist seasons,' he concludes, clipping on his helmet. And with that, we're off on an off-season, mid-March ride – perfect for my now-lower heat tolerance after a decade of living in England. The view of Atrani, our first stop – Italy's smallest town by size – is already postcard material. A woman hangs laundry to dry on her balcony overlooking the piazza, and a waft of freshly washed clothes mixed with early morning sea air sweeps over us as the sheets dance on the drying line. As we cycle, the pervading 'Italianness' follows us with each turn showing off sunlit white stucco houses, whose brightness is softened by the deep shades of green from the bushy hills. The ascent is challenging but manageable with my e-bike, an increasingly common choice in this uneven land where there are no dedicated cycling paths and everyone shares the same road. Twenty minutes later, we arrive in Ravello and stop for a quick espresso, religiously accompanied by a glass of cold water – a Southern Italy staple – at the piazza made famous by, among others, Jacqueline Kennedy, an honorary citizen of the town. But today, there are no 'Old Hollywood' celebrities, just locals enjoying their Saturday. The square is alive with children running around, their football bouncing dangerously close to a group of elderly men who are huffing and puffing about the weather. 'It's so cold' I hear one of them mutter; tinkling his spoon perhaps a tad too vigorously against the edge of his porcelain espresso cup, tightening his winter jacket in the 20C heat, and swiftly readjusting his wool hat. Despite the popular images of juicy seafood dishes and brightly coloured houses perched above secluded sandy coves, the coastline itself stretches just over 30 miles. The Monti Lattari mountain range, which is the backbone of the entire coast, extends for more than 160sq kilometres, making it a seemingly floating mountain. Cycling through these heights, we are off to Tramonti – also known as the Amalfi Coast 's 'green lung' – a small mountain district well-known for having exported pizza culture worldwide, with more than 2,000 pizza makers moving elsewhere in Italy and abroad. We meet Vincenzo Savino, Pizza Tramonti Association's president, for a traditional mountainous meal at agriturismo Il Tintore. Both Peter and I are absolutely ravenous and thrilled to tuck into the local delicacies, from fior di latte mozzarella to the rich Tintore wine. I concentrate on the explosion of flavour bursting on my tongue from the lemon zest generously grated over my paccheri pasta. After the last bite of dessert, the creamiest of lemon tarts, the post-lunch haze kicks in. As we experience it way too often, us Italians have coined a word to describe the sensation: abbiocco. My mind turns to the twisty descent that awaits us. The sun dips lower, warming my shoulders through the glass door. Suddenly, I feel a small hand poke my shoulder. It's Vincenzo's son, Leonardo, urging me to come see the lemon orchards outside. I follow him and his cousin, Giovanni, into the lush garden. He picks a lemon and I try to smell it. 'Give it to me,' he shakes his head in disbelief. 'You have to scratch it properly; that's where the lemon smell comes from, from the essential oils'. I smile and pop the lemon into my bag, praying it won't count as a liquid at the airport. On the Amalfi Coast, you know you're descending from higher altitudes towards sea level when the chestnut trees – commonly used to build the supporting structures of the region's famous lemon cultivations – give way to vineyards, and finally to the lemon groves themselves. At our last stop in Maiori, we take a moment to watch the golden hour sun shimmer on the horizon. I can't help but feel lucky to have cycled my way through this intimate slice of paradise. The Amalfi Coast is a bit like a lemon: to get to know its authentic soul, you must start by properly scratching its surface – and then go deeper.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Robert Downey Jr. turns 60: a look back
Robert Downey Jr., known for "Less Than Zero," "The Pick-Up Artist," "Tropic Thunder," "Sherlock Holmes," "Iron Man" and "Oppenheimer," turns 60 on Friday. Here's a look back at his career through the years.
Los Angeles Times
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
We asked readers to share their favorite California books. Here's how they responded
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Here's what you need to know: We weren't expecting such a huge response when we asked Essential California readers to recommend your favorite California books. But respond you did! How y'all have the time for all this reading, we'll never know. But with longer days ahead, it's time to build up your outdoor reading list. Below you'll find some of our favorite reader recommendations, and a few from the team. We know how hard it is to narrow it down to one or a few of your favorite California books. Maria L. La Ganga, The Times' deputy managing editor for California and Metro, put it best: 'Our amazing country-within-a-state has inspired so many gifted writers in every genre. John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, Amy Tan, John Muir, Joan Didion, Raymond Chandler, Carolyn See, Tommy Orange, and the list goes on and on.' Additionally, every month, the Los Angeles Times publishes a list of titles to consider. This month's list includes a debut novel about womanhood and a cookbook celebrating California's bounty. Now back to your recommendations: Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity. ''Less Than Zero' by Bret Easton Ellis portrays a version of 1980s L.A. dominated by wealth, excess and emotional detachment, capturing both the allure and emptiness of the city's culture.' — Tyler Jackson 'I just finished reading 'Eternity Street: Violence and Justice in Frontier Los Angeles' by John Mack Faragher. It focuses on the period from 1830-1870 when California changed hands several times. The book is named after the street now called North Broadway. During this period, it was called Eternity Street and had a cemetery at the end of the road.' — Jake Johnson 'Two novels that really struck me are 'The House of Sand and Fog' by Andre Dubus III and 'IQ' by Joe Ide. 'The House of Sand and Fog' is beautifully written, heartbreaking and incredibly topical, even though it came out 25 years ago. It's about immigration and addiction and love and dignity — and real estate. 'IQ' is the first in a series of detective novels. It's the nickname of one Isaiah Quintabe, a brilliant young Black man and kind of modern day Sherlock Holmes. He has a singular, tragic backstory, is a one-of-a kind protagonist and the novels play out in an unusual place: the gritty streets of East Long Beach.' — Maria L. La Ganga, L.A. Times deputy managing editor for California and Metro 'John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' is one of those books that always comes up in conversation after a few drinks with my fellow book nerds. I can still see Steinbeck's Salinas Valley in my mind even though I read it many summers ago on a beach. And those chapters about Cathy.' — Hunter Clauss, L.A. Times multiplatform editor, newsletters. (Several of you recommended this book.) 'My two favorite California books for two different reasons are 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler and 'Inherent Vice' by Thomas Pynchon. Butler creates a post-apocalyptic California that feels closer to reality with each passing year, and Pynchon answers a burning literary question in his detective novel: What if Hercule Poirot was a California stoner?' — Christian Orozco, L.A. Times assistant editor, newsletters. (Several of you recommended 'Parable of the Sower.') Tesla's steep fall from California's green darling to a hated target of protests, violence and fires An L.A. Crips leader turned gang interventionist ran a 'mafia-like' enterprise, the feds allege These California coastal cities face heightened flood danger from tsunami, data show More big stories Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. Point Reyes' historic dairies were ousted after a legal battle. Locals say it's conservation gone mad Environmentalists are celebrating a legal settlement that will close historic family dairies they say are degrading Point Reyes National Seashore. Locals say the settlement shows no understanding of this place and its people. More great reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in What widely beloved sitcom, set at a Scranton, Pa., paper company and starring Steve Carell, turns 20 this year? Plus nine other questions from our weekly news quiz. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
