Net Worth
David Letterman Net Worth
From his years working as a television host, comedian, writer, and producer, David Letterman has amassed a huge fortune to become an incredibly wealthy celebrity.
| Net Worth: | $400 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 78 |
| Born: | April 12, 1947 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Comedian/TV Host |
| Last Updated: | Nov 17, 2025 |
Introduction
David Letterman is an American late-night television talk show host with an estimated net worth of $400 Million.
Netflix commissioned David to produce the series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, which has proven extremely popular. He has also made some of the most successful prime-time TV comedies, including Everybody Loves Raymond and Ed.
Before Wealth & Fame
Growing up in Indianapolis, David Letterman’s father worked as a florist, and his mother was a church secretary for the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis. David has two sisters, Gretchen Letterman and Janice Letterman.
During his childhood, Letterman’s father survived a heart attack. This affected David to the extent that he was always worried about losing his father as a child. Unfortunately, David’s father passed away due to a second heart attack in 1973 at the age of 57.
David attended Broad Ripple High School and worked as a stock boy at the local Atlas Supermarket. He wanted to attend Indiana University, but due to his poor grades, he had to attend Ball State University, graduating in 1969.
Letterman started his career as a newscaster at his college’s student-run radio station. It is now part of Indiana Public Radio. He was always willing to work hard and take the lead, so he founded WCRD 91.3, a campus radio station.
Career
With his degree in telecommunications, David first tried out television as a weatherman in Indianapolis before moving to Los Angeles, where he performed as a stand-up comedian at the Comedy Store.
In 1978, he made his first appearance on The Tonight Show, which starred Johnny Carson. Due to David’s visibility, he won himself a mid-morning show called The David Letterman Show, which was canceled after only three months despite receiving two Emmy Awards.
David developed a following after moving to late-night television with the show Late Night with David Letterman. This was a huge hit with nighttime viewers and featured in the top 10 list, receiving 5 Emmy Awards and 35 nominations.
After Carson retired in 1992, David announced that he was leaving NBC to join CBS, as he felt that his prospects would be better there… and he was right. His new show, The Late Show with David Letterman, quickly drew in more viewers than The Tonight Show.
In January 2000, David had emergency quintuple heart bypass surgery. After his recovery, the first episode ended up being the show’s highest-rated episode.
In 2014, after 32 years of success, David announced his retirement from The Late Show, hosting the final episode on May 20, 2015. Since announcing his retirement, David has avoided public appearances, but in 2016, he was a celebrity correspondent for the documentary series Years of Living Dangerously.
In 2018, David returned to television as the host of “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” You can check out his official Instagram account to learn more about the show, which is currently being aired on Netflix. Behind the scenes, David founded and ran his own production company, Worldwide Pants.
More TV Personalities:
Career Earnings
Here is an estimated overview of David Letterman’s annual income:
- 2011 – $21 million
- 2012 – $22 million
- 2013 – $25 million
- 2014 – $28 million
- 2015 – $30 million
- 2022 – $45 million
Net Worth History
It is one thing to earn big money, but another to hold on to it. David has made astute investments, and his net worth has massively increased due to his intuitive grasp of finance.
Here’s a breakdown of David Letterman’s annual net worth:
- 2018 – $300 million
- 2019 – $350 million
- 2020 – $390 million
- 2021 – $435 million
- 2022 – $480 million
Personal Life
In 1968, David married his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook, but divorced soon after in October 1977. He started dating Regina Lasko in 1986, and the couple had a son together, Harry Joseph Letterman, on November 3, 2003.
There was an incident in 2005, where police discovered a plot by Kelly Frank, the house painter, who wanted to kidnap David’s son and demand a $5 million ransom.
David and Lasko were married on the 19th of March 2009. They are still married despite the numerous affairs that David revealed on his show. A blackmailer attempted to reveal his affairs with multiple of his female employees, which caused CBS News to conduct an in-depth investigation of David.
David had a stalker, Margaret Mary Ray, who in May 1988 stole his Porsche, camped on his tennis court, and broke into his house multiple times. She was a diagnosed schizophrenic who died by suicide at the age of 46 in October 1998.
Another unhinged person took out a restraining order against Letterman as she claimed he was sending her coded messages via his television program. This apparently caused her bankruptcy and severe emotional distress.
Car Collection
It has been reported that his car collection consists of 10 Ferraris, 8 Porsches, 4 Austin-Healeys, 2 Honda motorbikes, a Chevy pickup truck, and one car from each of the following automakers: Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, MG, Volvo, and Pontiac.
Real Estate
David reportedly spent $10 million on 108 acres of land in Westchester County, New York. He also has property on Martha’s Vineyard, St Barths, and Montana. He lives in a mansion in North Salem, New York, that is purported to have cost more than $5 million.
Philanthropy
Letterman supports many causes, donating large amounts of money to various charities. He donated nearly $600,000 to Habitat for Humanity and $10,000 to cancer research. He founded the American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming in 1993, which has distributed over $1.2 million.
Summary
David Letterman has had a rollercoaster of a career and life. This has impacted his performances, drawing on his many and varied experiences. Through the rough patches that come with fame, David stood strong, holding his head high and charging straight on.
David has created the perfect life for himself, creating the career he has always wanted along the way. With his new show airing on Netflix, David’s net worth is definitely increasing by the minute.
Actors
Kevin Costner Net Worth
Find out how award-winning actor, film producer and director Kevin Costner has achieved his impressive net worth.
| Net Worth: | $250 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 70 |
| Born: | January 18, 1955 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional Actor |
| Last Updated: | Nov 17, 2025 |
Introduction
Kevin Costner is an American professional actor, film director, and entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $250 Million.
Costner built the majority of his wealth through his film career, which spans almost five decades. In the early 1990s, he was the world’s highest-paid actor for three consecutive years, earning between $48 million and $71 million per year.
His net worth has taken hits in the past, notably from his 1994 divorce settlement with Cindy Silva, which occurred the same year his three-year reign as the highest-earning actor ended. The divorce cost him an estimated $80 million, just under half of his total earnings from 1991 to 1993.
More recently, Costner has been earning over $1 million per episode for starring in the television series Yellowstone, which is in its fifth season. He also made headlines in May 2024 for investing $38 million of his own money in Horizon: An American Saga,
Quick Facts
- Earned an estimated $50 million from Dances with Wolves
- Salary of $1.3 million per episode to star in Yellowstone
- Invested $38 million into Horizon: An American Saga
- Divorce settlement cost him roughly $80 million
- The world’s highest-paid actor for three consecutive years (1991, 1992, 1993)
- Earned a combined $178 million during that time
Net Worth History
As one of the wealthiest actors in the world, Kevin Costner’s net worth has continued to climb over the years. Hit movies such as Dances With Wolves and JFK have considerably boosted this net worth.
Here’s a breakdown of Kevin Costner’s annual net worth:
- 2017 – $250 million
- 2018 – $260 million
- 2019 – $265 million
- 2020 – $270 million
- 2021 – $280 million
- 2022 – $300 million
Film Salaries
| Year | Project | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Bill Durham | $1,500,000 |
| 1990 | Dances With Wolves | $3,000,000 |
| 1991 | JFK | $7,000,000 |
| 1995 | Waterworld | $14,000,000 |
| 2000 | Thirteen Days | $15,000,000 |
| 2002 | Dragonfly | $15,000,000 |
| Total Calculated Earnings: | $55,500,000 | |
Yellowstone Salary
Costner reportedly earned $500,000 per episode for the first season of Yellowstone, which would have equated to $4.5 million for the entire season. Ahead of the fifth season, he signed a new deal that would pay him $1.3 million per episode, increasing to $1.5 million if a sixth season were to occur. This would equate to $10.4 million in salary for the fifth season.
Cindy Silva Divorce Settlement
In 1978, Costner married his first wife, Cindy Silva, and they remained together for 16 years, during which they had three children. Early on in their marriage, Silva worked various jobs to support Costner until his acting career took off. As his fame grew, rumours started about Costner’s infidelity, especially during the filming of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. After moving to England in 1991 to film the movie, it was alleged that Costner had a brief affair with Sheri Stewart, a hostess at an unnamed nightclub in London. By 1994, Costner and his wife announced that they would be separating.
At the time of their divorce, there was no prenuptial agreement in place, and therefore, Silva reportedly received around $80 million from Costner. Neither of them commented on the divorce publicly and instead focused their energy on co-parenting their children and maintaining a respectful relationship with each other.
Christine Baumgartner Divorce Settlement
Two years after his divorce from Silva, Costner met Christine Baumgartner in 1996 while filming Tin Cup. The couple eventually began dating publicly in 1999. On September 25, 2004, the couple married in Aspen, Colorado, and remained together for 18 years, during which they raised three children. Baumgartner left her job as a handbag designer and model to stay home with their children, while Costner continued to work in film and TV.
However, despite their image as a happy couple, Baumgartner filed for divorce in May 2023, and the details quickly became public as the couple began fighting over finances and child custody. According to their prenuptial agreement, Baumgartner was required to vacate the family home within 30 days of filing for divorce. However, she refused, arguing that she needed to sort out her finances before she could move out.
Eventually, Costner asked the court to intervene, and the judge ordered her to vacate the property by the end of July 2023, with Costner reportedly paying her $1.2 million for housing and $200,000 for relocation costs, as per their agreement. After giving up her job to stay home with the children, Baumgartner had no income, and so she requested that Costner pay $248,000 per month in child support. The judge refused this amount, though eventually ordered Costner to pay around $63,000 per month instead. He was also responsible for paying for the children’s private school tuition, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.
The couple’s divorce was finalized in February 2024, after Costner reportedly agreed to pay at least $300,000 toward Baumgartner’s legal fees, although she had initially requested $885,000. However, the final settlement figure was kept private, as was information about Costner’s wealth and business assets.
Highest-Grossing Movies
Although Costner’s more recent work has been through the television series Yellowstone, some of his older movies smashed the box office. Six of his ten highest-grossing films are from the 1990s, including Dances with Wolves ($424 million), The Bodyguard ($411 million), and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ($390 million). In fact, the first two of those movies mentioned produced some of the highest ROIs available in the industry. Dances with Wolves grossed $424 million on just a $22 million budget, and The Bodyguard grossed $411 million against a $25 million budget.
This is one of the reasons why Costner was the world’s highest-paid actor for three consecutive years, from 1991 to 1993. However, his appearance as Jonathan Kent in the DC franchise was responsible for producing two of his highest-grossing films: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ($874 million) and Man of Steel ($670 million).
Some notable mentions that didn’t reach the list include The Guardian ($95 million), Field of Dreams ($84 million), and The Untouchables ($76 million).
Here’s a complete list of Kevin Costner’s ten highest-grossing films:
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – $874 Million (2016)
- Man of Steel – $670 Million (2013)
- Dances with Wolves – $424 Million (1990)
- The Bodyguard – $411 Million (1992)
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – $390 Million (1991)
- Waterworld – $264 Million (1995)
- Hidden Figures – $236 Million (2016)
- JFK – $205 Million (1991)
- Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – $136 Million (2014)
- A Perfect World – $135 Million (1993)
How Does Kevin Costner Spend His Money?
Kevin Costner is known for his impressive wealth, which he uses to invest in multiple business ventures, including CBD oil and casinos.
In April 2006, he spent $28.5 million on an oceanfront ranch in Santa Barbara County, California. Contrary to the lifestyle of many rich and famous actors known for driving luxury cars, Costner has been seen driving a Toyota pickup truck to get around his ranch.
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Summary
That wraps up this guide to Kevin Costner’s net worth and the starring roles and directing accomplishments that have secured his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most successful men. During his career, Costner has won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Authors
Dan Brown Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $160 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 61 |
| Born: | June 22, 1964 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Author |
| Last Updated: | Nov 17, 2025 |
Introduction
Dan Brown is an American professional author with an estimated net worth of $160 Million.
In a career spanning almost three decades, Dan Brown has written and published eight novels, selling over 200 million copies worldwide. The majority of Brown’s wealth and fame were earned through the Da Vinci Code trilogy, which was later adapted into the film trilogy starring Tom Hanks. The success of the franchise significantly boosted this author’s earnings through increased sales of his back catalog and licensing fees.
This profile examines our research into Dan Brown’s income sources, earnings history, net worth, and other relevant events, including lawsuits that may have impacted his overall wealth.
Quick Facts
- Sold over 200 million book copies worldwide
- Earned an estimated $285.5 million between 2013 and 2019
- Peak annual income of $88 million in 2006
- Sued three times for plagiarism; however, none of these lawsuits were successful.
Earnings History
| Year | Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2005 | $76,500,000 |
| 2006 | $88,000,000 |
| 2007 | $10,000,000 |
| 2013 | $22,000,000 |
| 2014 | $28,000,000 |
| 2015 | $13,000,000 |
| 2016 | $9,500,000 |
| 2017 | $20,000,000 |
| 2018 | $18,500,000 |
| Total | $285,500,000 |
According to our research, Forbes has listed Dan Brown’s annual income estimates a total of nine times this century. This was through a combination of the original Forbes Celebrity 100, which is no longer published, and their Highest-Paid Authors list, which spanned from 2013 to 2019. During the nine years listed in the table above, Brown earned a combined $285.5 million.
It’s clear that 2005 and 2006 were the best years of Brown’s career as an author, and there’s a straightforward reason as to why. Brown published his book The Da Vinci Code in 2003. By 2005, it had sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Dan earned an incredible income, not just from these sales, but also from a sudden surge in interest in his previous works. That year, he earned an estimated $76.5 million from all his income streams. Brown also received a percentage of the profits from the 2006 film adaptation, resulting in a career-high income of $88 million in 2006.
In 2007, his earnings dropped back down to $10 million, and he then disappeared from Forbes’ radar for roughly six years. This brings us to 2013, when Dan Brown released his mystery thriller, Inferno, which helped land him back on the list with an estimated income of $22 million. This novel was also adapted into a film, which helped Brown earn approximately $28 million in 2014. While remaining on the list for 2015 and 2016, his income had gradually dropped to $9.5 million.
Finally, in 2017, Brown received an eight-figure advance for his novel, Origin, which was released towards the end of the year. He earned an estimated $20 million in 2017 and $18.5 million in 2018. Brown dropped off the list in 2019.
Legal Issues & Lawsuits
Brown has faced several legal challenges throughout his career, in particular copyright issues related to his books.
In 2004, author Lewis Perdue threatened to file a lawsuit against Brown and his publisher, Random House. He alleged that Brown’s The Da Vinci Code had copied from his two books, The Da Vinci Legacy and Daughter of God. He stated that there were similarities between the plots, characters, and themes, and asked for $150 million in damages. Instead of waiting for Perdue’s case to come to court, Brown and his publisher filed their lawsuit in September of that year, asking the Southern District Court of New York to declare that The Da Vinci Code did not infringe Perdue’s copyright.
When Perdue finally filed his lawsuit in early 2005, the Judge ended up agreeing with Brown and his publisher. He stated that while the books shared certain concepts, the similarities were ideas and themes that cannot be owned under copyright law. Therefore, the court issued an official ruling that The Da Vinci Code hadn’t violated Perdue’s copyright, and all of his claims were dismissed.
Second Plagiarism Lawsuit
In a second plagiarism lawsuit in early 2006, Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent, co-authors of the 1982 book The Holy Blood and the Grail, filed a lawsuit in the UK, seeking at least £80,000 ($108,000) in damages against Random House. Although Brown was not a named defendant, his research practices were at the heart of the case. Leigh and Baigent argued that The Da Vinci Code had borrowed their ideas and copied the sequence of connections their book had developed.
During an 11-day trial in early 2006, Brown testified that while The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail was one of several sources he used during his research, he had not plagiarized it and had never even finished reading it. The court examined the texts of both books and their themes to determine whether copying had occurred.
On April 7, 2006, the judge rejected Leigh and Baigent’s claims, stating that copyright does not encompass ideas or themes. As a result, Leigh and Baigent were ordered to pay 85% of Random House’s legal costs, which totalled approximately £1.3 million ($1.7 million).
Jack Dunn Plagiarism Lawsuit
In 2006, Brown was again accused of plagiarism, this time by Jack Dunn, author of the 1997 novel The Vatican Boys. Dunn filed a lawsuit for $400 million in the United States, alleging that Brown had copied the plot, characters, and theme of his book. However, the Judge dismissed the case, ruling that similarities in themes and structure did not amount to copyright infringement under US law. Therefore, Dunn was denied both a jury trial and the right to appeal, which ended his case in the US.
However, several years later, in 2017, Dunn attempted his claim again, this time in the United Kingdom. He once again argued that hundreds of similarities existed between The Vatican Boys and Brown’s work. As with the other cases, Dunn’s efforts did not end in his favor, and only confirmed that it is legal for authors to write about themes that have been used in other texts.
However, the lawsuits and accusations of plagiarism haven’t done any harm to Brown’s career, as he has so far made over $250 million in sales of The Da Vinci Code alone.
MMA Fighters
T.J. Dillashaw Net Worth
T.J. Dillashaw ran into some trouble during the final few years of his career, but put together a great resume in the UFC bantamweight division before retiring in 2022.
| Net Worth: | $4 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 39 |
| Born: | February 7, 1986 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.68 m |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Professional MMA Fighter |
| Last Updated: | Nov 16, 2025 |
Introduction
T.J. Dillashaw is an American former professional MMA fighter with an estimated net worth of $4 Million.
The former UFC Bantamweight Champion, T.J. Dillashaw, often earned six-figure sums per fight, earning several million dollars throughout his career. He officially retired in 2022 after his loss to Aljamain Sterling, finishing his career with a record of 18 wins and five losses.
This profile provides an overview of Dillashaw’s career, net worth, earnings from the UFC, and additional ventures/assets that have impacted his wealth.
Quick Facts
- Disclosed earnings of $2.6 million during his UFC tenure
- Sold his 3,227-square-foot property in Yorba Linda for $2.15 million (2023)
- Reportedly earned $350,000 upfront for his rematch with Cody Garbrandt
- Launched his own supplement company, Wild Society Nutrition
- Signed endorsement deals with brands such as American Cannabis Partners, Clean Juice, JAXXON, Melin Brand, and MyBookie.
Before Wealth & Fame
Growing up, T.J. Dillashaw attended Bret Harte High School, where he was an All-State wrestler, and then went on to California State University, Fullerton, to continue his wrestling career. Dillashaw earned his degree and joined Team Alpha Male, where he won both of his professional matches before turning pro. In 2010, he made his professional debut with a win over Czar Sklavos and participated in The Ultimate Fighter after starting 4-0.
MMA Career
Though T.J. Dillashaw would lose in the finals, he still landed a career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and won his next four bouts. In 2014, Dillashaw won the UFC Bantamweight Championship by defeating Renan Barao and held the title for two years. After dropping the title, Dillashaw won it back by defeating Cody Garbrandt before losing his title to Henry Cejudo in 2019.
Dillashaw retired in 2022 after his loss to Aljamain Sterling, finishing his career with a record of 17 wins and five losses. During that time, Dillashaw was given the Performance of the Night bonus five times, including both of his matches against Renan Barao.
Fight Earnings & Net Worth
T.J. Dillashaw fought in just two matches between the very beginning of 2019 and his retirement in December 2022. Those fights turned out to be very profitable for Dillashaw, though, as he earned a combined $526,000.
Throughout his UFC career, Dillashaw would ultimately win a total of $2.6 million from his shows, bonuses, and endorsements. Dillashaw lost out on a chunk of money due to his suspension, but was still able to build a solid net worth estimated to be around $4 Million. This put Dillashaw in the same bracket as the likes of Francis Ngannou and Jorge Masvidal in terms of MMA net worth. Dillashaw has said that the suspension was a blessing in disguise as he learned how to make money in ways other than fighting professionally.
Real Estate
In July 2018, Dillashaw paid $1.42 million for a 3,227-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home in Yorba Linda, California. The house features an outdoor pool and sauna, and costs the fighter approximately $16,000 in annual property taxes. In July 2023, he relisted the home on the market with an asking price of $2.25 million, and it sold for $2.15 million in September.
Summary
T.J. Dillashaw was having one of the finest careers in the UFC at the time of his suspension in 2017. It was a harsh lesson to learn, but Dillashaw said he was still making money outside the octagon, which led to his retirement. Now, Dillashaw can focus on relaxing at his Colorado home while continuing to earn money in the health food industry.
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