Tilman Fertitta

Tilman Fertitta is an American billionaire entrepreneur and investor who built his empire from a single seafood restaurant in Galveston, Texas, in 1980. Over four decades, he acquired and turned around distressed hospitality properties, creating Landry's, Inc., the largest casual dining company in the United States with over 600 locations under brands such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Morton's Steakhouse, and Rainforest Cafe. He is the sole owner, Chairman, and CEO of Fertitta Entertainment, Inc., the conglomerate that owns Landry's, the Houston Rockets, and the Golden Nugget Casinos.

In 2017, Fertitta purchased the NBA's Houston Rockets for $2.2 billion. He starred in CNBC's reality show Billion Dollar Buyer from 2016 to 2018 and authored the book Settle for Nothing in 2021. His business acumen has been recognized by Forbes, which consistently lists him among the world's billionaires.

Beyond business, Fertitta is a prominent philanthropist. He donated $2.5 million to the Houston Police Department and $50 million to the University of Houston's business school, which was renamed the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Business. He also served on the University of Houston System Board of Regents. In 2025, he was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate as the United States Ambassador to Italy.