The Brenaissance: Brendan Fraser's Net Worth And Stunning Career Comeback

Publish date: 2024-07-13

Highlights

Brendan Fraser has been a Hollywood mainstay for over three decades, his career marked by blockbuster hits, critically acclaimed performances, and a recent heartening resurgence.

If you grew up in the late '90s and early 2000s, you likely caught a Brendan Fraser movie on more than one occasion.

From his hilarious breakout role in Encino Man to the swashbuckling adventurer Rick O'Connell in the beloved Mummy franchise, Fraser has entertained audiences across generations.

His filmography features over 70 acting credits, with a total worldwide box office gross surpassing $2.85 billion.

Despite setbacks and a period away from the spotlight, Fraser's triumphant return in The Whale and renewed popularity have put a spotlight on his inspiring journey and his estimated net worth of $20 million.

Fraser's easygoing charisma and relatable demeanor helped propel him to stardom in the 1990s.

While known for his comedic timing in films like George Of The Jungle and Bedazzled, Fraser proved his dramatic range in School Ties, Gods And Monsters, and The Quiet American.

As his star power grew, so did the scale of his film projects—The Mummy trilogy, in particular, which grossed over $1.3 billion combined. However, Fraser's career trajectory took a turn in the 2000s.

Injuries sustained during demanding action sequences, personal struggles, and a series of professional setbacks led to a decline in major film roles. Despite continued acting work, Fraser retreated from the public eye for a period.

His outstanding comeback in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale marked a new chapter.

The film earned broad recognition, including a "Best Actor" Oscar for Fraser, and sparked a re-evaluation of his remarkable career.

2:05 Kings Of The 2000s
The Highest-Grossing Jack Black Movies, From King Kong To Kung Fu Panda
Jack Black, a comedic talent in Hollywood, netted over $8.9 billion in box office returns and a $50 million net worth.

Brendan Fraser's Film Career

Brendan Fraser's illustrious film career spans over three decades, encompassing a diverse range of roles and memorable performances.

The Canadian-American actor made his film debut in 1991 with a small role in Dogfight.

His first leading role came in the 1992 comedy Encino Man, where he hilariously portrayed a thawed-out caveman navigating modern life. The film was a moderate box office success, grossing over $40 million.

It also paved the way for more prominent projects. That same year, he tackled a serious role in School Ties, alongside rising stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

The mid-1990s saw Fraser appear in a mix of box office home runs and strikeouts.

He starred in films like With Honors, Airheads, and Mrs. Winterbourne, the latter of which earned a middling $10 million on a $25 million production budget. However, 1997 marked a turning point with the release of George Of The Jungle.

This live-action adaptation catapulted Fraser to global recognition, becoming his highest-grossing film at the time, with a worldwide box office return of over $174 million.

He did have moderate success with the romantic comedy Blast From The Past (1999) and the fantasy comedy Bedazzled (2000), both raking in $29 million and $90 million, respectively.

The Academy Award winner was met with global stardom after he portrayed Rick O'Connell in the fantasy adventure franchise, The Mummy.

Sequels The Mummy Returns and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor effectively made him a 2000s action hero and a box office draw.

Amid these successes in the action genre, Fraser also demonstrated his range in films like The Quiet American in 2002.

After a hiatus, Fraser's career resurgence came with Darren Aronofsky's The Whale in 2021, earning him critical acclaim and his first Oscar for "Best Actor," making history as the first Canadian to win the award.

2:04 Oscar Predictions
Wealth On The Red Carpet: The Oscars' 'Best Actor' Nominees, Ranked By Net Worth
Ahead of the Oscars, let's take a look at this year's "Best Actor" nominees, their net worths, and who is favored to win.

Brendan Fraser's Highest Grossing Films

Brendan Fraser Movie

Box Office (Domestic)

Box Office (International)

Box Office (Total)

Journey To The Center Of The Earth (2008)

$101,704,370

$142,528,318

$244,232,688

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009)

$150,201,498

$152,267,519

$302,469,017

The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008)

$102,491,776

$300,958,054

$403,449,830

The Mummy (1999)

$155,516,138

$260,547,918

$416,064,056

The Mummy Returns (2001)

$202,019,785

$241,261,119

$443,280,904

Brenda Fraser's Film Salaries

Brendan Fraser's earnings from movies reflect his evolving status in Hollywood.

Though starting modestly, his income mirrored his rising fame. Early projects like The Scout saw him bank around $1.5 million.

His global breakthrough with The Mummy earned him approximately $4 million in 1999, a figure that more than doubled to $10 million for Bedazzled the next year and further increased to $12.5 million for The Mummy Returns.

Fraser's income peaked with The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor in 2008, earning $14 million. However, as the years progressed, Fraser's earnings began to decline, mainly due to his hiatus and losing his leading man status.

Fraser's income declined significantly, a circumstance he attributed to having been "blacklisted" by Hollywood, following his allegations of sexual abuse against former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Philip Berk.

In 2010, he received $10 million for Furry Vengeance and reportedly took a significant pay cut to $1 million for Extraordinary Measures in 2010.

Following his return to Hollywood, Fraser's status and bankability is on the rise, with recent reports indicating a resurgence in his earnings.

His recent role in The Whale reportedly earned him $12 million, highlighting a renewed demand for his talent, and underscoring the financial promise of his career comeback.

Brendan Fraser Film

Reported Earnings

The Scout

$1.5 Million

The Mummy

$4 Million

Bedazzled

$10 Million

The Mummy Returns

$12.5 Million

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

$14 Million

Furry Vengeance

$10 Million

Extraordinary Measures

$1 Million

The Whale

$12 Million

Fraser's personal life has not been without financial setbacks.

His 2009 divorce from actress Afton Smith brought about a hefty alimony settlement. As part of their divorce, Brendan agreed to a settlement of nearly $8.7 million, almost half his estimated net worth at the time.

Additionally, he committed to paying Afton $75,000 monthly, covering both alimony and child support, totaling $900,000 annually, requiring him to earn around $2 million yearly pre-tax.

The obligation was split into a monthly alimony of $50,000 to his ex-wife for ten years, and an additional $25,000 monthly for child support. In 2011, Fraser faced a financial crisis.

He petitioned the court to reduce his $50,000 monthly alimony payments, claiming he could no longer sustain them due to declining acting income.

According to his court filing, Brendan faced a monthly loss of $87,000 due to alimony, mortgages, and other expenses:

Being An Actor Is Expensive. Really.
Taraji P. Henson's Highest-Grossing Films Made Over $3 Billion
Taraji P. Henson's comments on Hollywood's pay disparities for Black women resonate louder when you see exactly how much money she's made for studios.

The divorce terms initially put in place by the court allowed Brendan to reduce his alimony only if his annual earnings went below $3 million, which he claimed had happened.

Fraser claimed he earned about $26,000 monthly from investments, but had to cover $113,000 for professional expenses like lawyers and agents. This left him with approximately $118,000 in monthly income before costs.

Fraser's petition to the court led to a legal battle, with Smith accusing him of fraud and alleging that he was concealing lucrative film contracts and not disclosing film contracts for Extraordinary Measures and Furry Vengeance.

In 2014, the court ruled against Fraser's request for a reduction in alimony and against Smith's allegation of fraud.

Fraser's financial situation was precarious – he needed to earn at least $3 million annually to fulfill his financial obligations.

While his spousal support payments ended in 2019, this period undoubtedly took a toll on his overall net worth.

2:13 Celebrity Divorce Is Also Expensive
Kelly Clarkson Seeks $5M Bond From Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock Pending Judgment Appeal
Kelly Clarkson and ex-husband Brandon Blackstock are still litigating, with Clarkson requesting he post $5 million bond before his appeal proceeds.

Brendan Fraser's Car Collection

Brendan Fraser's car collection hints at a discerning taste with an appreciation for timeless classics and modern performance.

Among his prized possessions is a 1953 Hudson Hornet, valued between $75,619 and $82,300.

Not stopping there, Fraser also owns multiple models of the classic Hudson Hornet, highlighting his affinity for these American classics.

Transitioning to luxury, Fraser's collection includes a BMW 7-Series sedan, renowned for its opulent interior and exceptional driving experience, with a current price tag of approximately $97,000.

Additionally, he owns a BMW X5 SUV, valued at around $56,000, known for its blend of practicality, comfort, and performance.

Reports suggest Fraser may also possess a Ferrari F430, celebrated for its remarkable performance and striking design, with an estimated cost of $182,693.

Make

Model

Estimated Value

Hudson

Hudson Hornet

$75,619 - $82,300

BMW

7-Series

$97,000

BMW

X5

$56,000

Ferrari

F430

$182,693

Fraser's Real Estate Portfolio

In 1996, Fraser and Afton purchased a 3,948-square-foot home in Beverly Hills for $675,000.

Shortly before their separation, the property was sold for $3 million, in 2007.

After their divorce, Fraser moved to Bedford, New York, where he invested in a large horse property spanning many acres.

This property, acquired for $3,389,779 as disclosed in an alimony case filing, became his new residence.

Additionally, Fraser spent $755,496 on furnishing the property, ensuring it met his needs and preferences.

Celebrity real estate transactions are often cloaked from the public, but real estate comprises a portion of Brendan Fraser's net worth in 2024.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEq6CcoJWowW%2BvzqZmm6qVo7GiuoyfqZqrlafAbrrErWSwp6KptW6vwKucnqpdmLyuscGamqRn