Introduction

Jack Nicholson is an American former professional actor and filmmaker with an estimated net worth of $400 Million.

Acting Career

Jack Nicholson started his career as an office worker for animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at the MGM cartoon studio. While he had the opportunity to become an animator, Nicholson turned down the offer to pursue a career in acting instead. 

His first time in front of the camera was in a small role on NBC Matinee Theater in 1956, followed by a role in the 1958 film The Cry Baby Killer. 

Nicholson continued to build his career throughout the 1960s and, in 1967, wrote the screenplay for The Trip, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. He landed his first major acting break in 1969, starring in the film Easy Rider, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. 

A Prominent Hollywood Actor

Jack Nicholson rose to superstar prominence in the film Five Easy Pieces, which became his persona-defining role, earning him another Academy Award nomination. With the film becoming a blockbuster, Nicholson was hailed as another James Dean or Marlon Brando. 

In 1970, he appeared in the film One Clear Day You Can See Forever, and his role in Carnal Knowledge in 1971 earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He then starred in Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, three years before Polanski was arrested for the sexual assault of 13-year-old Samantha Geimer. 

Another success of Nicholson’s came in 1975 when he was cast alongside Danny DeVito as Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. 

A Hollywood Legend

Jack Nicholson took on the role of the Joker in the 1989 movie Batman, which immediately became an international hit. He then starred in A Few Good Men in 1992 and received another Academy Award nomination for his role.

In 1996, he teamed up with Batman director Tim Burton once again, this time on the film Mars Attacks! The following year, he won an Academy Award for his role in the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets. 

Entering the new millennium, Nicholson appeared alongside Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give in 2003. 

In 2007, he joined Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List and teamed up with Paul Rudd in How Do You Know. This was his final film before unofficially retiring from acting to enjoy a quiet life behind the scenes, following decades in the limelight. While How Do You Know was his final film, bringing his total number of appearances throughout his career to 80, Nicholson still appeared occasionally. 

In 2013, he co-presented the Academy Award for Best Picture with Michelle Obama, and in 2015, he made a special appearance on Saturday Night Live. Most recently, Nicholson appeared alongside Lou Adler on an episode of the podcast TF with Marc Maron. Nicholson reiterated that he wants to enjoy life and has no plans to return to acting.

Film Earnings

While researching Jack Nicholson’s income during his time as a professional actor, we found figures relating to twenty of his film appearances, totaling $126.2 million. However, two essential things to consider are the fact that this number doesn’t take inflation into account, nor does it include his additional income from backend profits. In most cases, the figures strictly highlight his upfront salary. 

Early Film Salaries

The earliest known paycheck of Jack Nicholson’s career was just $12,500 for starring in the 1970 film, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Adjusted for inflation, this equates to roughly $104,000 in today’s currency. Throughout the decade, he gradually began commanding more per film, earning $500,000 from Chinatown (1974) and $75,000 from Tommy (1975). 

Towards the latter half of the 1970s, Nicholson not only began receiving seven-figures per film, but also often secured a percentage of the film’s gross revenues. This began with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975, earning $1 million upfront and receiving 15% of the gross revenues. As a result, he earned closer to $15 million when all was said and done.

A similar scenario occurred the following year when Nicholson starred in The Missouri Breaks. However, this time, the film performed poorly at the box office, which left him with just his upfront salary of $1.3 million. Surprisingly, one of the most iconic films of Nicholson’s career, The Shining, didn’t earn him anything on the backend. He also took home $1.3 million. Finally, the last paycheck in what would be considered the earlier stage of his career was $1 million for Terms of Endearment. He also secured a percentage of the film’s profits, bringing the total to roughly $9 million.

Peak Film Earnings

By the late 1980s, Jack Nicholson had begun taking home several million dollars per role. Some of his most notable paychecks during this time were $4 million for Heartburn, $6 million for The Witches of Eastwick, and $5 million for Ironweed. 

We’ll discuss his earnings from playing the Joker in Batman shortly. However, before we do that, let’s run through some of the most significant salaries Nicholson secured during his final years of acting.

During the ’90s, he received upfront salaries of $10 million from Hoffa, $13 million from Wolf, and $15 million from As Good as It Gets. He also earned $10 million apiece in the 2000s from The Pledge and About Schmidt. In 2003, Nicholson joined the $20+ million club (at least in terms of base salary) when he starred alongside Adam Sandler in Anger Management. For his final film, How Do You Know, he earned $12 million, capping off his career.

Batman Earnings

The reason we held off on discussing Jack Nicholson’s Batman payday was that it was the most lucrative role of his career. To play the Joker in the 1989 film, he was initially offered an upfront salary of $10 million. However, Jack negotiated an agreement to take a lower salary ($6 million), plus a percentage of the film’s profits and revenues from Joker merchandising. 

Batman became the highest-grossing film of Nicholson’s career, raking in $412 million at the box office. Merchandise for the franchise was already popular, but until the 1989 film was released, Joker products hadn’t been as popular. Nicholson’s presence in the film elevated the character’s popularity and helped drive a rapid increase in merchandise revenues. Thus, reports suggest that he earned a combined $60 million from the film. 

Highest-Grossing Movies

Nicholson’s highest-grossing film of his career is also just one of five movies from the 1980s that grossed over $400 million worldwide. 1989’s Batman grossed $412 million at the global box office against a budget of $35 million. It was the highest-grossing movie of the year by a difference of more than $200 million. Nicholson’s earliest film to make the list was 1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which grossed $109 million.

Some notable mentions that didn’t make his top ten include About Schmidt ($106 million), Mars Attacks! ($101 million), and The Shining ($48 million).

Here’s a complete list of Jack Nicholson’s ten highest-grossing movies:

1. Batman – $412 Million (1989)
2. As Good as It Gets – $314 Million (1997)
3. The Departed – $291 Million (2006)
4. Something’s Gotta Give – $265 Million (2003)
5. A Few Good Men – $243 Million (1992)
6. Anger Management – $196 Million (2003)
7. The Bucket List – $175 Million (2007)
8. Wolf – $131 Million (1994)
9. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – $109 Million (1975)
10. Terms of Endearment – $108 Million (1983)

Introduction

Derek Jeter is an American former professional baseball player with an estimated net worth of $200 Million.

Jeter played his entire 20-season Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. He retired with a .310 batting average, hitting 3,465 times for 260 home runs. During his career, Jeter earned $266.3 million, equivalent to an average annual salary of $13.32 million.

Quick Facts

• Earned $266.3 million during his MLB career
• Peak annual salary of $27 million in 2001
• The most valuable contract was a 10-year, $189 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2001

Net Worth History

After playing consistently for the New York Yankees for 20 years, Derek has amassed a sizeable fortune as a professional sportsman. By carefully investing his substantial earnings, he has created significant wealth.

Here’s a breakdown of Derek Jeter’s annual net worth:

• 2017 – $150 million
• 2018 – $160 million
• 2019 – $175 million
• 2020 – $190 million
• 2021 – $205 million
• 2022 – $200 million

MLB Career

The Yankees drafted Derek as a first-round pick in 1992. Unfortunately, starting in the minor league Class A, he didn’t perform very well, committing 21 mistakes in 58 games. But he knuckled down, and, with plenty of practice, Derek started to up his game.

In 1993, the South Atlantic League named him one of the “Most Outstanding Major League Prospects.” Three years later, Derek started playing shortstop for the Yankees. In 1998, the Yankees won the World Series with Derek on their team.

During a 1999 game against the Braves, he created a reputation for himself, which secured the Yankees another World Series victory. Derek earned a reputation as one of the premier postseason hitters in the game of baseball. In the 2000s, Derek was named the Most Valuable Player in both the All-Star Game and the World Series.

After helping to win many games and collecting an armful of awards, Derek’s most memorable event happened in 2009, when Derek broke the record for 2674 hits by a shortstop in Major League history. Derek announced his retirement at the end of the 2014 season after suffering a severe ankle injury during the AL Championship Series.

MLB Salary & Contracts

Derek Jeter was loyal to the New York Yankees for the entirety of his career, initially signing with the team in 1992. He received an $800,000 signing bonus and spent several years in the minor leagues before joining Major League Baseball in 1995. At 21 years old, Jeter earned just $25,000 for his first official season. This was followed by several one-year, six-figure contracts, with his salary starting at $130,000 in 1996 and reaching $750,000 by 1998. 

Jeter completed two more single-season contracts from 1999 to 2000; however, it was during this period that his salary began to increase exponentially. The first deal guaranteed him $5 million, and this figure doubled to $10 million in 2000.

10-Year Contract Extension

Despite having to wait almost a decade, Derek Jeter finally signed his first long-term contract in 2001. The Yankees signed him to a ten-year, $189 million extension, pushing his average annual salary up to $18.9 million. Jeter received a significant chunk ($27 million) of this value in the first year, thanks to a $16 million signing bonus. His annual salary then increased over time, starting at $13 million in 2002 and reaching $21 million by 2010. Jeter secured the full $189 million of the contract’s value.

Additional Contracts

Following his $189 million deal, Jeter re-signed with the Yankees for the 2011 season, under a $51 million, three-year contract. The agreement did include a fourth-year option, but the shortstop eventually renegotiated. He secured a $12 million paycheck for his final MLB season before retirement.

In a professional baseball career spanning eighteen years, Derek Jeter earned a total of $266.3 million in salary and bonuses. Since retiring, he has primarily turned his attention to investments and real estate.

Miami Marlins Investment

On October 2, 2017, Jeter and venture capitalist Bruce Sherman were part of a group that bought the Miami Marlins for $1.2 billion. The previous owner, Jeffrey Loria, purchased the team for just $158.5 million in 2002, earning himself a significant profit. In the deal, Jeter invested approximately $25 million of his own money for a 4% stake in the team, while Sherman became the principal owner with a stake of around 46%. Former NBA player Michael Jordan was also one of several smaller investors in the team.

Following the close of the deal, Jeter became the Chief Executive Officer and public face of the franchise, making the Marlins one of the few MLB organizations to be led by a former player in this way. Jeter quickly made changes to the Marlins, starting in December 2017 when he approved the trade of Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees, saving $295 million in future salary. Jeter continued to reduce the payroll by trading MLB stars such as Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, and J.T. Realmuto for more affordable players.

Although Jeter was the CEO and face of the Miami Marlins, his 4% stake meant that he didn’t have majority control over major financial decisions. Instead, that responsibility lay with Sherman, who, in 2022, reports suggested that he had promised to invest $15 million in several players, but this investment never materialized. Reports indicated there were problems in the leadership team, which was confirmed on February 28, 2022, when Jeter announced his resignation.

He released a statement saying there had been too many differences in the vision for the franchise’s future. Jeter then sold his stake back to the ownership group for $44.8 million in the same year, making an estimated profit of $20 million, but never fully achieving the goals he had set for the Marlins.

Real Estate

Derek Jeter is passionate about real estate and has invested a substantial portion of his fortune in four large mansions. His house in Tampa is worth approximately $7.7 million, while his property in Greenwood Lake, New York, was listed for $14.75 million in 2018. He also owns a corner penthouse worth $20 million in New York.

Philanthropy

Apart from his investments and property deals, Derek is also focused on giving back to the community. He is well-known for his charity work. He founded the Turn 2 Foundation in 1996 and has motivated countless individuals, helping them to turn away from drugs and alcohol and instead create a healthier, more purpose-driven lifestyle.

Personal Life

Derek lives in Miami with his wife, Hannah Jeter, a famous model. They have three daughters: Story Grey Jeter, River Rose Jeter, and Bella Raine Jeter. Being Catholic is an integral part of Derek’s life, and he feels that his faith contributed to his success in baseball.

Introduction

Bill Maher is an American political talk show host with an estimated net worth of $140 Million.

Maher has worked as a commentator on numerous television networks, including FOX News and CNN. He is famously recognized for his comments on the popular talk show Politically Incorrect and as the host of ‘Real Time With Bill Maher.’ The talk show host has made quite a name for himself in the media, as he is often one to start controversy or speculation.

Early Career

Bill Maher began his career as an actor and comedian, serving as the host of Catch a Rising Star comedy club in New York City in 1979. In 1982, he began appearing on David Letterman and Johnny Carson’s shows, and had small roles on TV in the series “Sara,” “Max Headroom,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” 

Maher made his film debut in 1983 in D.C. Cab, followed by appearances in Ratboy, House II: The Second Story, and Newhart. All of this helped Maher establish a name for himself, allowing him to cultivate an incredibly successful career of his own. 

Politically Incorrect 

Bill Maher became the host of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher in 1993 and, on the show, he interviewed a diverse array of guests. While celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld were frequent guests, Maher also included political pundits, authors, news figures, and consultants. This show earned numerous awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Technical Direction and a Genesis Award for Best Television Talk Show. 

Maher himself also earned several nominations, including ten Emmy nominations, two Writers Guild nominations, and two TV Guide nominations. However, in 2002, ABC decided not to renew the series after Maher made controversial remarks after the September 11th attacks in New York City. 

That said, those remarks weren’t the first from the show to spark controversy, and when everything added up, the show was canceled in June 2002. A few days after the cancellation, Maher received the Los Angeles Press Club President’s Award for “championing free speech.” 

Real Time with Bill Maher

A year after the cancellation of Politically Incorrect, Bill Maher became the host, co-producer, and co-writer for Real Time with Bill Maher. This weekly talk show debuted on HBO, and in 2016, it was renewed through 2018 for its 16th season. 

Like his previous show, Maher kicks off Real Time with an opening monologue before delving into an interview with a special guest. He then talks with two to three panelists, consisting of writers, actors, politicians, journalists, or pundits, to discuss that week’s events. 

Real Time with Bill Maher has garnered widespread praise for its format and has earned over ten Primetime Emmy Awards and six Writers Guild Awards.  Maher and his co-producers also earned the Television Producer of the Year award from the Producers Guild of America in 2007. However, like his previous show, Maher has received backlash for some of his comments, such as when he questioned Stan Lee’s legacy following his death. 

New York Mets Investment

At the end of 2011, the New York Mets were facing severe financial difficulties as the team’s owners, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, had lost a considerable amount of money to Bernie Madoff’s infamous fraud scheme. In an effort to generate revenue, the pair conceived the idea of selling 12 ownership shares of the New York Mets. Each share was available for $20 million, with each one representing approximately 4% of the team.

It was then, in early 2012, that Maher, a lifelong Mets fan, bought his share and became a part-owner of the team. At that time, the Mets were valued at just under $720 million, including debt, and the money from the minority investors helped to secure the team’s financial future. However, owning a piece of The Mets came with responsibility, and during the ten years that he held minority ownership, Maher was involved in several rounds of capital calls.

In 2020, the pandemic raised a challenging time for the team, resulting in a drop in revenue to $107 million compared to $362 million in the previous year. While the Mets were unable to sell tickets, Maher and other shareholders found themselves paying out far more than they received in return. Thankfully, in November 2020, Steve Cohen purchased a controlling stake in The Mets for $2.4 billion. The acquisition was one of the most significant sales ever in Major League Baseball history. Maher and the other minority investors then found that their original $20 million investments had tripled in estimated value to $60 million, thanks to the incredible price.

However, by early 2021, Maher decided that he no longer wanted ownership in the team and cashed out his share, pocketing approximately $40 million in profit, describing it as one of the best decisions he had ever made.

Additional Ventures

Along with hosting his own shows, Bill Maher is a frequent commentator on prominent news networks, including CNN, MSNBC, HLN, and Fox News. 

In 2013, he became an executive producer for the HBO series Vice and offered to donate $5 million to charity if Donald Trump would release his birth certificate. While Trump produced his birth certificate in response, he then launched a lawsuit against Maher after he didn’t pay $5 million, though it was ultimately withdrawn. 

Maher started the podcast Club Random in 2022, where he hosts one-on-one interviews with guests at his home, discussing a wide range of topics but avoiding politics. In 2024, he revealed that he’d interviewed Kanye West but decided not to air the episode following the rapper’s antisemitic remarks.