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William Friedkin Net Worth

William Friedkin earned millions as a smash-hit film director, becoming extremely wealthy from his popular horror and action films.

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William Friedkin Net Worth

What is William Friedkin’s net worth?

Net Worth:$70 Million
Age:89
Born:August 29, 1935
Gender:Male
Height:1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:TV/Film Director
Last Updated:Dec 15, 2024

Introduction 

William Friedkin is a film director whose most famous creations were The Exorcist and The French Connection.

He is not only a director but also a world-renowned screenwriter and producer, with his most notable films being Deal of the Century, The Hunted, Rules of Engagement, The Guardian, and Sorcerer.

This Golden Globe winner started his career by creating documentaries and moved up to directing award-winning feature films.

William Friedkin’s net worth is estimated to be $70 Million.

 

Quick Facts

  • William directed his first opera, called Alban Berg’s Wozzeck, in Italy, in 1998.
  • His partnership with Peter Bogdanovich and Francis Ford Coppola to create a Directors’ Company lasted a year in 1973.
  • He directed the film Sorcerer, which was released in 1977.
  • William directed the film The Boys in the Band, a groundbreaking portrayal of gay culture, in 1968.
  • Friedkin was a leading light in the New Hollywood Movement in the 1970s.

 

Early Life 

William “Billy” Friedkin was born August 29, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Friedkin grew up in a middle-class household and attended Senn High School, where he was passionate about sports, particularly basketball.

While he considered becoming a professional athlete, his grades suffered as he tried to maintain his social status.

However, he discovered a love for film during his teenage years, and after graduating from high school, he began working at WGN-TV in the mail room.

From there, he built a successful career by creating documentaries and receiving recognition for his efforts.

 

Career 

William Friedkin directed the musical spoof Good Times, which starred Ben Vereen and Jimmie Walker, and released The Birthday Party in 1968, starring Peter Falk, and Robert Shaw.

William also released the popular comedy, The Night They Raided Minsky’s in 1968, which starred Jason Robards and Bert Lahr.

In 1970, Friedkin received positive feedback for his creation of The Boys in the Band, which starred Kenneth Nelson, Peter White, and Leonard Frey.

He gained recognition with the release of The French Connection in 1971, which starred Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider and which won four Oscars, including an Academy Award.

Friedkin had continued success with the release of the supernatural bestseller The Exorcist in 1973, which starred Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, and Linda Blair.

The film received plenty of criticism but became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, winning Friedkin a Golden Globe and receiving 10 Academy Award nominations.

However, his work began to decline with the release of Sorcerer in 1977, starring Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, and Francisco Rabal.

 

Career Earnings

Here’s an estimated overview of William Friedkin’s annual income:

  • 2017 – $5 Million
  • 2018 – $3 Million
  • 2019 – $3.5 Million
  • 2020 – $2 Million
  • 2021 – $1.5 Million
  • 2022 – $1 million

 

Net Worth Annually

Here’s a breakdown of William Friedkin’s annual net worth:

  • 2017 – $60 Million
  • 2018 – $61 Million
  • 2019 – $63 Million
  • 2020 – $65 Million
  • 2021 – $68 Million
  • 2022 – $70 million
  • 2023 – $70 Million

 

Personal Life

William first married Jeanne Moreau in 1977 but unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last and the couple were divorced in 1979.

He found love once again with Lesley-Anne Down and married her in 1982, but it also didn’t go well, and they got divorced in 1985.

William got married once again, to Kelly Lange, in 1987 and, as fate would have it, got divorced in 1990.

He is currently married to a film producer named Sherry Lansing and, after the couple got married in 1991, they got on extremely well and are still happily married.

William’s online presence includes an official Twitter account, so be sure to follow for the latest updates.

 

Awards & Achievements

Here are some of the most notable occasions in William Friedkin’s career:

  • In 1973, Friedkin won a Golden Globe for Best Director for the film The Exorcist.
  • He won both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Director for the movie The French Connection in 1971.
  • William received the Directors Guild of America Awards for his Outstanding Directional Achievement in a Feature Film in 1971.
  • In 1974, he won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture.
  • Friedkin won a Saturn Award in the category of Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

 

How Does William Friedkin Spend His Money?

William is the owner of a sixteen-bedroom apartment located on Park Avenue and has also purchased a house in Bel Air, California.

Despite William owning some of the most expensive houses in the world and having an impressive real estate portfolio, he prefers to keep his purchases private.

Friedkin is famous for his hair-raising car-chase scenes in The French Connection, but he’s not that interested in owning the most expensive cars in the world for himself.

Jean-Michel Basquiat sent some of his early art to William Friedkin as a gift, but Friedkin threw the art in the trash and did not acknowledge the note.

Basquiat was unknown at the time and hoped to catch the eye of the famous director, but his art is now amongst the most expensive paintings in the world – none of which William owns.

He was also offered a cut of Mike Tyson’s future earnings at one time but declined the offer as he couldn’t then see the value in it.

 

Summary 

William’s career was a major success and brought in new adaptions to different genres. It is no surprise that William has been referred to as one of the best directors of all time.

He had a passion for film since a child and did everything in his power to achieve what he has achieved today.

His films, The Exorcist and The French Connection were the best work of his career and despite his waning popularity he’s managed to continue to stay relevant in Hollywood.

William Friedkin’s net worth is estimated to be $70 Million.

What do you think about William Friedkin’s net worth? Leave a comment below.

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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Directors

Quentin Tarantino Net Worth

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Quentin Tarantino Net Worth

What is Quentin Tarantino’s net worth?

Net Worth:$120 Million
Age:61
Born:March 27, 1963
Gender:Male
Height:1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Professional Film Producer
Last Updated:Dec 14, 2024

Introduction 

Quentin Tarantino is an American filmmaker, actor, film programmer, and cinema owner with an estimated net worth of $120 Million. 

Tarantino is one of the best producers and directors in the industry, best known for movies such as ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Django Unchained.’ 

 

Career Overview

In 1977, at age 14, Tarantino wrote one of his earliest works, a screenplay called “Captain Peachfuzz and the Anchovy Bandit.” A year later, he dropped out of High School and started working as a production assistant on Dolph Lundgren’s exercise video “Maximum Potential.”

 

Turning Down Hollywood For Pulp Fiction

Soon after, Quentin co-wrote and directed “My Best Friend’s Birthday,” featuring early work with Roger Avary, and appeared in an episode of “The Golden Girls.” He estimated he was paid about $650 for his role in “The Golden Girls” but later received around $3,000 in residuals over three years.

Following his growing popularity in the film industry, he released his debut film, “Reservoir Dogs,” which starred Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen.

Tarantino declined major studio offers like Speed and Men in Black, retreating to Amsterdam to work on his script for Pulp Fiction. After completing the script, he directed Pulp Fiction, which starred John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

That following year, he participated in the film Four Rooms with Robert Rodriguez and wrote and starred alongside George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn.

 

Tarantino’s Award-Winning Streak

Notably, he directed “Kill Bill: Volume 1,” which featured Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu, and the follow-up “Kill Bill: Volume 2.” While Tarantino and Lucy Liu negotiated for Kill Bill, they collaborated on the 2006 release of the Hungarian sports documentary Freedom’s Fury.

He guest-directed a scene in Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City” and directed “Death Proof” as part of the “Grindhouse” double feature. One of his most famous films starring Brad Pitt and Diane Kruger, “Inglorious Basterds,” won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay.

In 2012, he directed the film Django Unchained, which starred Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Soon after, he released “The Hateful Eight,” featuring outstanding performances by Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

 

Cult Classic Auteur

While working on his book, he began production on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio. After the film’s release, he published the novelization of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and revealed plans to shoot an eight-episode series in 2023.

Once he had released his tenth film, Quentin announced he would retire from filmmaking and focus more on writing novels and film literature. He believes “most directors have horrible last movies” and that ending on a “decent movie is rare,” while ending on a “good movie is phenomenal.”

Time 100 honored Tarantino for his global impact. During his career, his films achieved critical and commercial success in addition to cult status.

 

Estimated Net Worth

In 2024, Quentin Tarantino’s net worth is $120 Million. 

 

Highest-Grossing Movies

Here’s a complete list of Quentin Tarantino’s ten highest-grossing movies:

  1. Django Unchained – $426 million (2012)
  2. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood – $378 million (2019)
  3. The Rock – $335 million (1996)
  4. Inglourious Basterds – $321 million (2009)
  5. Baby Driver – $227 million (2017)
  6. Pulp Fiction – $214 million (1994)
  7. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 – $181 million (2003)
  8. Hero – $177 million (2002)
  9. The Hateful Eight – $161 million (2015)
  10. Sin City – $159 million (2005)

 

Summary

Quentin Tarantino has grown to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Not only has he managed to gather a cult following for his films, but he, unlike his previous generation of filmmakers, has understood what kind of films attract audiences to cinema halls.

What do you think about Quentin Tarantino’s net worth? Leave a comment below. 

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Directors

Stephen Sommers Net Worth

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Stephen Sommers Net Worth

What is Stephen Sommers’ net worth? 

Net Worth:$20 Million
Age:62
Born:March 20, 1962
Gender:Male
Height:1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Film Director
Last Updated:Dec 14, 2024

Introduction 

Stephen Sommers is an American film director and screenwriter with an estimated net worth of $20 Million. 

Sommers is best known for big-budget movies such as ‘The Mummy’ its sequel, ‘The Mummy Returns,’ ‘Van Helsing’ and ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’. Sommers also directed The ‘Adventures of Huck Finn’ and Disney’s live-action version of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book.’ 

 

Career Overview

Stephen Sommers built his reputation by writing and directing an adaptation of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huck Finn” for Walt Disney Pictures. He also directed an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” for Disney and wrote the screenplays for “Gunmen” and “Tom and Huck.”

Sommers was an executive producer on the film “Tom and Huck,” starring Brad Renfro, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Eric Schweig, also for Disney. He worked as a staff writer at Hollywood Pictures, where he developed a script called “Tentacle” which was later adapted.

Sommers directed the film “Deep Rising” in 1998, based on his “Tentacle” script and starring Treat Williams and Famke Janssen. The movie received three nominations for “Best DVD/Blu-Ray Classic Film Release,” “International Film Music Critics Award” (IFMCA), and “Best Original Score for a Horror/Thriller Film.”

 

Winning Two Saturn Award Nominations

In 1999, he wrote and directed a remake of “The Mummy” for Universal Studios, a commercial success that earned Sommers two Saturn Award nominations. He was put forward in 2000 for Best Director and Best Writer and was hired to direct the successful sequel, “The Mummy Returns,” in 2001. Sommers co-wrote and produced “The Scorpion King” in 2002, a prequel/spin-off of “The Mummy Returns” that starred Kelly Hu, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Steven Brand.

In 2004, he founded The Sommers Company with editor/producing partner Bob Ducsay and directed “Van Helsing,” which featured iconic Universal movie monsters. Before “Van Helsing” premiered, Sommers and Ducsay began developing a spin-off TV series for NBC called “Transylvania,” anticipating its popularity with audiences.

Sommers wrote scripts for the pilot and initial episodes of “Transylvania,” but unfortunately, NBC did not proceed with the show. He was initially set to direct “Night at the Museum” but left before Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson turned it into a hit.

 

Directing Success And Failures

Sommers was hired as executive producer by Steven Speilberg to remake “When Worlds Collide,” but the movie was a non-starter. He was involved in developing a new big-screen adaptation of “Flash Gordon” and worked on an adventure film called “Airborn,” based on the novel.

Next, he developed a romantic/adventure story titled “Big Love” and was also involved in a remake of the French film “Les Victimes.” For reasons that are not clear, he chose not to direct “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” instead serving as one of its producers.

Sommers then directed the 2009 live-action adaptation of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” for Paramount Pictures and served as a producer. He developed a Tarzan adaptation for Warner Bros. but left the project before starting his most recent film, “Odd Thomas.”

Unfortunately, the movie, starring Willem Dafoe, faced release delays due to lawsuits against the production company over marketing, distribution, and repayment of production loans.

 

Small Budget Movie Success At Cannes

Sommers’ first feature film was “Catch Me If You Can,” a teen racing film filmed in St. Cloud, his hometown. The film was independently funded with $800,000 and sold at the Cannes Film Festival for $7 million and later released on video in the U.S. Stephen wrote and executive produced the 1997 TV movie Oliver Twist, starring Elijah Wood, Richard Dreyfuss, and Alex Trench.

Sommers directed the short film “Perfect Alibi” in 1988, which won 4th Prize at the FOCUS Awards and was the first of the “time-loop” movies. The movie centers on a pickpocket who is thrust into an endless loop of time to pull off a burglary. He then served as an executive producer for the 2004 short film “Van Helsing: The London Assignment,” starring Hugh Jackman and David Wenham.

 

Winning An Eygore Award

Sommers was an executive producer for “The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption,” “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” and “The Scorpion King: Book of Souls.” He produced “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” in 2008 and “The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior” but was uncredited.

Sommers won an Eyegore Award in 1999 and was an executive producer for the TV series “The Mummy,” released between 2001 and 2003. In 2010, he was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director for “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.”

 

Estimated Net Worth

Stephen Sommers’ net worth is estimated to be roughly $20 Million. 

 

Highest-Grossing Movies

Here’s a complete list of Stephen Sommers’ ten highest-grossing movies:

  1. The Mummy Returns – $443 million (2001)
  2. The Mummy – $418 million (1999)
  3. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – $403 million (2008)
  4. G.I. Joe: Retaliation – $376 million (2013)
  5. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra – $302 million (2009)
  6. Van Helsing – $300 million (2004)
  7. The Scorpion King – $181 million (2002)
  8. The Jungle Book – $52 million (1994)
  9. The Adventures of Huck Finn – $24 million (1993)
  10. Tom and Huck – $24 million (1995)

What do you think about Stephen Sommers’ net worth? Leave a comment below. 

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Directors

Ron Howard Net Worth

Emmy Wallin

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Ron Howard Net Worth

What is Ron Howard’s net worth?

Net Worth:$200 Million
Age:70
Born:March 1, 1954
Gender:Male
Height:1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Country of Origin:United States of America
Source of Wealth:Film Director
Last Updated:Dec 14, 2024

Introduction

Ron Howard is an American filmmaker and actor with an estimated net worth of $200 Million.

He is best known for playing two high-profile roles in television sitcoms in his youth and directing several successful feature films later in his career.

 

Career 

Howard began his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films.

He gained national attention for playing young Opie Taylor in the sitcom “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1960 to 1968, alongside Andy Griffith.

At the same time, he starred in the musical film “The Music Man” alongside Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, and Buddy Hackett.

His first lead role was in the influential coming-of-age film American Graffiti, which starred Richard Dreyfus, Harrison Ford, and Charles Martin Smith.

 

From Sitcom Star To Directorial Powerhouse

Ron rose to prominence for portraying Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days from 1974 to 1980 alongside Henry Winkler.

He made his directorial debut with the 1977 film Grand Theft Auto, co-writing the script with his father, Rance Howard.

Howard went on to direct the comedy hit film Night Shift, which starred Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, and Henry Winkler.

In 1984, he directed the fantasy romantic comedy Splash, starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, and the science fiction comedy-drama Cocoon.

Notably, he directed the family comedy film Parenthood, starring Keanu Reeves, and Backdraft, featuring Robert De Niro and Kurt Russell.

Howard’s career skyrocketed when he directed the famous Western film Far and Away, which starred Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise.

In the mid-90s, Ron directed Apollo 13, starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton, and the live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

 

Releasing The Da Vinci Code

He has worked with notable figures in the entertainment industry, such as Dan Brown, Jim Carrey, and Anthony Hopkins, just to mention a few.

After directing the biographical drama A Beautiful Mind in 2001, which starred Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, he released the movie Frost/Nixon.

Ron won the Academy Award for Best Director for his film “A Beautiful Mind” and a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Howard was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, received the National Medal of Arts award, and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In the latter half of 2005, he directed the biographical sports drama Cinderella Man, which starred Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti.

At the same time, his movie The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, and Ian McKellen, was released.

 

Working With Jamie Foxx

A few years later, Ron made a cameo appearance in the Jamie Foxx music video “Blame It,” showcasing his flexibility beyond directing and producing.

To top it all off, he directed the sports drama Rush in 2013, which starred Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, and Daniel Brühl.

Ron also took over directing duties for “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in 2018, featuring Emilia Clarke and Han Solo. He founded Imagine Entertainment with Brian Grazer, producing several successful films and television series and announcing the development of “Conquest” for Showtime.

In 2020, he also won the Critics’ Choice Documentary Award for Best Music Documentary for the film “Pavarotti,” starring Luciano Pavarotti. His most recent movie that he has directed is the survival drama “Thirteen Lives” in 2021, featuring a cast including Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen. For a change of scenery, Howard chose to direct the animated feature “The Shrinking of Treehorn,” marking his debut in animated filmmaking.

 

Estimated Net Worth

In 2024, Ron Howard’s net worth is $200 Million. 

 

Highlights

Here are some of the best highlights of Ron Howard’s career: 

  • The Da Vinci Code (Movie, 2006, Director & Producer) 
  • Rush (Movie, 2013, Director & Producer) 

What do you think about Ron Howard’s net worth? Leave a comment below. 

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