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Bill Simpson Net Worth

Bill Simpson was a self-made millionaire who became incredibly wealthy from his safety equipment inventions.

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Bill Simpson Net Worth
Net Worth:$50 Million
Born:March 14, 1940
Died:December 16, 2019
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Racing Driver
Last Updated:Apr 27, 2026

Introduction

Bill Simpson was an American racing driver and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $50 Million.

 

Quick Facts

  • Founded Simpson Performance Products and Impact! Racing
  • Filed an $8.5 million defamation lawsuit against NASCAR in 2002

 

Before Wealth & Fame

When Bill Simpson was still a youngster in the late 1950s, he began pursuing his lifelong ambition to become a racing driver. After breaking both of his arms in a drag racing accident at the age of 18, he shifted his focus to racing safety.

This gave rise to his original safety concept, which involved attaching a parachute behind the car to slow it down, a concept that the NHRA soon adopted. In the 1960s, astronaut Pete Conrad introduced him to Nomex, a fire-retardant material, and that was when he made his great discovery.

The pace at which IndyCar, NASCAR, and F1 drivers perished in fires during those times was disturbing, and a solution was sought, since they either raced in T-shirts or uniforms that were chemically treated to offer the bare minimum protection. Bill knew he was onto a solution.

 

Simpson Performance Products

In 1959, Bill Simpson founded his own motorsports safety company, Simpson Performance Products, which designed safety gear for professional drivers. He began producing Nomex suits, and by 1967, 30 of Indy’s 33 starters were wearing them. The results were very promising, and with the introduction of seatbelts, Armco barriers, sand traps, and run-off areas, as well as improved cockpit design, driver fatalities dropped. Along with Jackie Stewart, Bill played a significant role in the fight for safety during racing’s most hazardous years, arguing for the use of Nomex hoods inside full-face helmets.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, Simpson expanded its product line from suits to include gloves, shoes, seatbelts, and helmets for all types of motor racing. Simpson’s Safety Products were tested under the most grueling conditions and utilized worldwide, enhancing his reputation and increasing his wealth.

Since the company is privately owned, we’re unable to obtain precise details about Simpson’s stake or the company’s value. That said, we know he stepped down from daily operations in the early 2000s and later launched Impact! Racing. Simpson Performance Products was sold to Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. for an undisclosed sum in 2015. It’s unclear whether or not Bill still owned shares in the business at that point. 

Reports suggest that today, SPP generates over $100 million in annual revenue and is a household name among professional drivers and racing enthusiasts.

 

NASCAR Defamation Lawsuit

Simpson worked closely with many NASCAR drivers, including one of its biggest stars of the early 2000s, seven‑time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jr.​

On 18 February 2001, Earnhardt was involved in a crash during the final lap of the Daytona 500, which killed him instantly. Six months after the fatal accident, NASCAR officials announced that the seat belt had come apart, thereby contributing to Earnhardt’s death. It was also revealed that Simpson’s safety equipment company, Simpson Performance Products, Inc., had made the seat belt.

Following the NASCAR report, Simpson argued that the belt was safe but had been installed at an improper angle, a condition for which his company was not responsible. He also commented that NASCAR was destroying his reputation and business, and his mental health was suffering as a result. Ultimately, he resigned as a consultant to Simpson Performance Products in 2001, thereby severing ties with the company he had founded in 1959.

 

Lawsuit Details

A year later, on 13 February 2002, just days before the Daytona 500, Simpson filed a lawsuit for $8.5 million against NASCAR. He claimed that NASCAR was wrong to blame his seat belt for Earnhardt’s death, and the public accusation had damaged his reputation and privacy. In response, NASCAR issued a statement stating that the suit was without merit, that it intended to defend itself, and that a trial was scheduled for September 2003.

However, on 15 July 2003, Simpson withdrew the lawsuit after the parties reached a private settlement, and the $8.5 million claim was withdrawn as part of the agreement.​ Shortly after his withdrawal, Simpson and NASCAR issued a joint statement saying that it was in the best interests of racing to move away from litigation and focus on safety. Although NASCAR never gave Simpson the apology he wanted, its president, Mike Helton, publicly acknowledged Simpson’s contribution to motorsport safety.

 

Legal Issues & Lawsuits

After leaving Simpson Performance Products, Simpson founded Impact Racing in 2002 to produce high-quality, professional racing safety gear.​

Several years later, in 2010, the SFI Foundation, a nonprofit that sets safety standards for racing equipment, alleged that Impact Racing had used counterfeit SFI certification labels on some of its products. They claimed that Simpson has sourced the labels from Asia, most likely to reduce costs. As a result, SFI filed a lawsuit against Impact Racing in April 2010.

SFI claimed that, between November 2005 and August 2008, Impact had hired an overseas manufacturer to produce look‑alike SFI labels that were then attached to various safety gear. SFI also announced plans to decertify all Impact Racing products, which would have made them unusable at professional race tracks that require SFI‑approved equipment. In response to these claims, Impact denied that its products were unsafe and argued that sudden decertification would cause irreparable harm to the business.

On 21 June 2010, a federal judge granted Impact’s request to block SFI from immediately terminating its contract and ruled that SFI must act rationally and fairly.​ Following the judge’s decision, Impact Racing provided sworn testimony that no counterfeit labels were used during 2009 and 2010, and that they would remain SFI‑certified. However, the decertification of the earlier products made between 2005 and 2008 remained in place. SFI also agreed to continue working with Impact Racing, provided that all future products were correctly labelled.

 

Summary 

In addition to competing in SCCA and USAC Indy-car competitions, Simpson raced in open-wheel formula, sports car, and drag racing. Between 1968 and 1977, he made 52 starts in Indy cars and achieved 11 top-10 finishes, with his sixth-place performance in the 1970 Milwaukee 200 ranking as his career best.

John is a professional accountant with a passion for writing. When not helping clients identify tax and financial opportunities, you can find him writing, sailing offshore, or flying a plane. He’s worked and partied with the rich and famous from around the world, getting an inside look at the secretive lifestyles of high-net-worth celebrities.

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Actors

Ben Stiller Net Worth

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Ben Stiller Net Worth Profile
Net Worth:$200 Million
Box Office Gross:$6.55 Billion
Age:60
Born:November 30, 1965
Height:1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Actor
Last Updated:Apr 26, 2026

Introduction

Ben Stiller is an American professional actor, comedian, and producer with an estimated net worth of $200 Million.

Although Stiller began his professional acting career in the late ’80s, his breakthrough came in the 2000s, with releases such as Meet the Parents (2000), Zoolander (2001), and Starsky & Hutch (2004). Since then, he’s played roles in over 130 projects, and his films have grossed $6.54 billion worldwide.

Stiller’s biggest box office successes include Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which grossed $747 million on a $145 million budget. Night at the Museum also performed on the big screens, grossing $574 million worldwide.

In 2010, Stiller was the world’s second-highest-paid actor, earning $53 million from three film releases within the year. That figure included a $20 million payday from Little Fockers and an estimated $23 million from the Battle of the Smithsonian.

 

Quick Facts

  • Earned an estimated $40-$50 million from the Meet the Parents trilogy
  • Second-highest-paid actor in 2010, earning $53 million
  • Movies have grossed $6.54 billion at the worldwide box office
  • His highest-grossing film is Madagascar 3 ($747 million worldwide)

 

Earnings & Salary

YearProjectSalary
1998There's Something About Mary$3,000,000
2001Zoolander$2,500,000
2004Meet the Fockers$10,000,000
2009Night At the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian$23,000,000
2010Little Fockers$20,000,000
2010Greenberg$10,000,000
2011Tower Heist$15,000,000
2011The Big Year$1,000,000
Total Calculated Earnings:$80,500,000

While many of Stiller’s film salaries have never been publicly disclosed, there is information regarding at least half a dozen. The earliest recorded salary of his career was $3 million for There’s Something About Mary (1998). The movie was one of the year’s highest-grossing films and remains one of Stiller’s top-grossing films. For comparison, co-star Cameron Diaz earned $2 million for her titular role as Mary.

Some of Stiller’s more modest career salaries include $2.5 million for Zoolander (2001) and $1 million for The Big Year (2011).

 

Meet the Parents Trilogy Salary

While reports of cast salaries for each film of the Meet the Parents trilogy are slightly sporadic, Stiller’s role as Greg Focker is estimated to have earned him between $40 million and $50 million.

Stiller’s salary for the original Meet the Parents (2000) was undisclosed; however, co-star De Niro earned a reported $13.5 million for his role. For the sequel, Meet the Fockers (2004), Stiller earned an estimated $10 million; for the third film in the trilogy, Little Fockers (2010), both De Niro and Stiller were paid $20 million each. Despite having the highest budget of the three films, Little Fockers performed the worst at the box office, grossing $311 million against a $100 million budget.

 

Madagascar & Night at the Museum

While the Madagascar and Night at the Museum franchises are responsible for some of Stiller’s biggest box-office hits, his salaries have never been disclosed. Naturally, that doesn’t stop other websites from throwing out random numbers.

When Forbes listed Stiller as one of the highest-paid actors in the world in 2010, it reported that he had earned an estimated $53 million for the year, thanks to Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Little Fockers, and Greenberg. We know he received a $20 million salary for Little Fockers, leaving $33 million between the two remaining films.

Forbes also mentioned that Greenberg only earned $6 million at the box office, but they didn’t say “at the box office,” so low-quality publications took that to mean Stiller earned $6 million for his work in the film.

 

Highest-Grossing Movies

Stiller’s top ten list comprises primarily three franchises: Madagascar, Night at the Museum, and Meet the Parents. The highest-grossing movie of his career is Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which grossed $747 million worldwide. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa came in second, grossing $604 million worldwide. Overall, the trilogy grossed $1.9 billion.

The Night at the Museum trilogy didn’t succeed as much, grossing a combined $1.35 billion. The original movie, released in 2006, was the top-grossing of the three. With every new Madagascar movie, its box office numbers grew. The opposite is true for Night at the Museum.

An unusual entry on the list was 1998’s There’s Something About Mary, the 3rd-highest-grossing movie of the year domestically ($176.5 million) and 4th overall ($370 million). Notable Stiller movies that didn’t make the list include 2008’s Tropic Thunder ($196 million), 2004’s Dodgeball ($168 million), and 2001’s Zoolander ($61 million).

Here’s a complete list of Ben Stiller’s ten highest-grossing movies:

  1. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted – $747 Million (2012)
  2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – $604 Million (2008)
  3. Night at the Museum – $574 Million (2006)
  4. Madagascar – $542 Million (2005)
  5. Meet the Fockers – $523 Million (2004)
  6. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian – $413 Million (2009)
  7. There’s Something About Mary – $370 Million (1998)
  8. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – $363 Million (2014)
  9. Meet the Parents – $330 Million (2000)
  10. Megamind – $322 Million (2010)

 

Real Estate

In December 1999, Ben Stiller and his wife, actress Christine Taylor, purchased a 5,334-square-foot home in Los Angeles, California. They paid $1.83 million for the property, which features five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The house also features some rather interesting amenities, including a billiards room, a screening room, and, most notably, a hidden speakeasy pub. They relisted the house on the market in 2011 and sold it to actor Jason Statham for $7.33 million.

In 2016, the couple purchased a 3,395-square-foot condo in the West Village, New York City, overlooking the Hudson River. The four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom unit set them back $15.31 million. The building itself features many luxurious amenities, including a 75-ft lap pool, a gym, a hot tub, a plunge pool, and a juice bar.

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Net Worth

Bobby Wagner Net Worth

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Bobby Wagner Net Worth Profile
Net Worth:$25 Million
Age:35
Born:June 27, 1990
Gender:Male
Height:1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional NFL Player
Last Updated:Apr 26, 2026

Introduction

Bobby Wagner is an American professional NFL linebacker for the Washington Commanders with an estimated net worth of $25 Million.

Over 13 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Washington Commanders, Bobby Wagner has recorded 1,071 tackles, 767 assists, and 35 sacks. He has earned approximately $102.5 million in salary and bonuses, averaging about $7.89 million annually, and has also earned additional income from endorsements and other ventures.

 

Quick Facts

  • Earned approximately $102.5 million during his NFL career
  • Peak annual salary of $19 million in 2020
  • Acquired a minority stake in the Seattle Storm WNBA team

 

NFL Salary

YearTeamSalary
2012Seattle Seahawks$1,962,944
2013Seattle Seahawks$585,809
2014Seattle Seahawks$781,618
2015Seattle Seahawks$9,028,070
2016Seattle Seahawks$7,500,000
2017Seattle Seahawks$5,000,000
2018Seattle Seahawks$11,000,000
2019Seattle Seahawks$16,500,000
2020Seattle Seahawks$19,000,000
2021Seattle Seahawks$13,400,000
2022Los Angeles Rams$7,250,000
2023Seattle Seahawks$7,000,000
Total Career Earnings:$102,508,441

Seattle Seahawks Contracts & Earnings

It took a fair amount of time for Bobby Wagner to begin earning tens of millions of dollars in the league, but he got there eventually. When he signed his four-year, $4.3 million rookie contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012, his average annual salary was just under $1.1 million. Almost half of the contract’s value was paid out in the first year, thanks to a $1.57 million signing bonus.

In August 2015, a year before his rookie contract was scheduled to end, Wagner secured a $43 million, four-year extension with the Seahawks. The final year of his rookie deal was moved to the first year of the new agreement, and thus, his base salary in year one was just under $1 million. However, he also received an $8 million signing bonus, which led him to earn $9 million in 2015. The first year in which Bobby earned eight figures was 2018, when he took home approximately $11 million. 

Wagner’s final contract with the Seahawks (during his first run with the team) was worth $54 million over three years. The period from 2019 to 2021 was the highest-earning years of Bobby’s career, with a peak of $19 million in 2020. Despite leaving the team in 2022, he briefly rejoined in 2023 and earned $7 million, bringing his total earnings with the Seattle Seahawks to $91.76 million. 

 

Los Angeles Rams Contract & Lost Income

In 2022, Bobby Wagner signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams, but only $10 million was guaranteed at signing. This low guarantee was an important factor because, just one season later, the Rams and Wagner mutually agreed to part ways. Wagner wanted to join a team with a chance to win the Super Bowl, and the Rams needed to free up cap space. As a result, Wagner received just $10.75 million of the contract’s value. His decision to do so has cost him approximately $3 million in annual income. 

 

Washington Commanders Contracts & Salary

Since joining the Commanders in 2024, Bobby Wagner has signed two contracts. The first earned him $7 million in his first season, and the second earned him $9 million this season. 

 

Seattle Storm Investment

In 2025, Bobby Wagner acquired a minority stake in the WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, making him the first active NFL player to invest in a WNBA franchise. Wagner’s exact stake and sum invested weren’t disclosed to the public. However, this investment included three parties, one of which was obviously Wagner. The parties acquired a 1.5% stake overall at a $325 million valuation. In other words, they invested just under $5 million in their franchise shares. Assuming an equal split, Wagner’s share would have cost him approximately $1.6 million.

Since this was a rather recent transaction, Seattle Storm’s current valuation remains unchanged. Though they are currently the third-most-valuable team in the league.

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Actors

James Franco Net Worth

James Franco is an award-winning actor who earned a fortune in film and television.

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James Franco Net Worth Profile
Net Worth:$30 Million
Age:48
Born:April 19, 1978
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Actor
Last Updated:Apr 26, 2026

Introduction 

James Franco is an American professional actor, screenwriter, and film producer with an estimated net worth of $30 Million.

 

Quick Facts

  • Reportedly earned $6.5 million from The Interview
  • Settled a sexual misconduct lawsuit for $2.23 million in 2021
  • Absent from Hollywood for five years between 2019 and 2024

 

Film Earnings

Unfortunately, there isn’t much information online about James Franco’s film salaries. During our research, we found salaries for just three of his films. This included a $2 million paycheck for starring alongside Neve Campbell in the 2003 film, The Company.

Reports suggest he earned $7 million from Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), which featured actors such as Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis. Additionally, Franco earned approximately $6.5 million from his infamous film with Seth Rogen titled The Interview. This film was banned in multiple countries and led to North Korea threatening the United States.

 

Highest-Grossing Movies

Franco’s recurring role as Harry Osborn in the first three Spider-Man movies contributed to a total box-office gross of $2.5 billion. The original Spider-Man movie grossed $821 million globally. It became the third highest-grossing movie of 2002, behind only LOTR: The Two Towers ($936 million) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ($879 million).

The following two movies on the list were Oz the Great and Powerful ($493 million) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes ($482 million). Franco’s remaining box office hits are mainly from cameos and minor appearances, so here are some of his lead roles that didn’t make the overall list:

  1. This is the End – $126 million (2013)
  2. Why Him? – $118 million (2016)
  3. Pineapple Express – $102 million (2008)
  4. 127 Hours – $61 million (2010)
  5. Spring Breakers – $32 million (2012)
  6. The Interview – $12 million (2014)

Some of Franco’s most beloved characters are from R-rated comedies that had to take risks at the box office. One of the most notorious is 2014’s The Interview with Seth Rogen. The film was banned in multiple countries, including China, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and North Korea. The North Korean government reportedly threatened action against the US if Sony were to release the film. 

Here is the complete list of James Franco’s ten highest-grossing movies:

  1. Spider-Man 3 – $896 Million (2007)
  2. Spider-Man – $826 Million (2002)
  3. Spider-Man 2 – $790 Million (2004)
  4. Oz the Great and Powerful – $493 Million (2013)
  5. Rise of the Planet of the Apes – $482 Million (2011)
  6. Alien: Covenant – $241 Million (2017)
  7. The Green Hornet – $228 Million (2011)
  8. Knocked Up – $220 Million (2007)
  9. The Holiday – $206 Million (2006)
  10. Eat Pray Love – $205 Million (2010)

 

Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit

In 2014, James Franco established the Studio 4 acting school, which operated for roughly three years before closing down in 2017. Two years later, in October 2019, two of Franco’s former students filed a sexual misconduct lawsuit against him. They alleged that the actor sexually exploited them and coerced them into performing scenes involving nudity. The suit also alleged that the students were misled about possible acting opportunities.

In 2021, Franco agreed to pay a settlement of $2,235,000, which comprised $894,000 for the sexual exploitation claim and $1,341,000 for the claims of fraud. Despite settling the lawsuit, Franco denied the allegation, and no admission of wrongdoing was included in the proceedings. After the suit was settled, he admitted to sleeping with his students and stated that, though it was consensual, it was wrong.

Ultimately, the lawsuit led to the actor’s five-year absence from Hollywood, and several projects were canceled. His last role prior to the lawsuit was as the voice of Lemmy in Arctic Dogs. He didn’t reappear in any project until the Karantina TV series aired in 2024.

 

Who’s the Richest Franco Brother?

All three of the Franco brothers (James, Dave, and Tom) are professional actors. At the time of writing, James is the richest in the family with an estimated net worth of $30 Million. His younger brother Dave has an estimated net worth of $10 Million, while Tom is worth roughly $500 Thousand.

 

Real Estate

In May 2006, James Franco paid $2.33 million for a 5,215-square-foot, three-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Los Angeles, California. He lived in the property part-time for several years before selling it for $3.3 million in February 2010.

In 2012, Franco purchased a 1,496-square-foot duplex in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, for $775,000. Following the purchase, neighbors complained that the house was being used to operate a production company and shoot scenes. Franco returned the home to the market in 2017 with an asking price of $949,000, though reports suggest he actually sold it for $1.35 million.

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