Nicolas Cage Net Worth

Nicolas Cage, born Nicolas Kim Coppola, began his acting career in the early 1980s. He attended Beverly Hills High School and later the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. His first acting role was in the pilot The Best of Times, which was not picked up for a series.

His first notable film appearance came with a small role as one of Judge Reinhold’s co-workers in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The following year, he gained more recognition for his role in the cult classic Valley Girl (1983), which helped launch his prolific career in Hollywood.

Over the years, Cage has become known for his distinctive acting style and wide-ranging roles in both independent films and major blockbusters.

Nicolas Cage’s major breakout role came in 1987 when he starred alongside Cher in Moonstruck. His performance as Ronny Cammareri, a passionate and troubled baker, earned him widespread acclaim and his first Golden Globe nomination.

The film was a critical and commercial success, cementing Cage’s place as a leading actor in Hollywood. Moonstruck remains one of his most iconic films, with Cher winning an Academy Award for her role, and the film itself becoming a romantic comedy classic.

Nicolas Cage Net Worth

Nicolas Cage’s net worth in 2024 is estimated at around $25 million, a significant drop from his peak wealth of approximately $150 million.

His finances have fluctuated dramatically over the years due to various high-cost purchases and investments.

He became known for his extravagant spending, which included luxury properties, rare artifacts, and even a private island. However, financial mismanagement and unpaid taxes led to substantial debt.

In April 2023, Cage revealed that he had once owed $6.3 million to the IRS, a burden that played a significant role in his financial troubles.

To address his debt, he took on numerous film roles to rebuild his wealth and settle outstanding obligations. Despite the financial challenges, Cage has remained a prolific actor and continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood.

“I was over-invested in real estate. … The real estate market crashed, and I couldn’t get out in time,” Cage said. “I paid them all back, but it was about $6 million. I never filed for bankruptcy.”

Nicolas Cage’s financial issues weren’t solely the result of poor spending habits but were compounded by external factors like the housing market crash.

At one point, Cage owned 15 properties, including extravagant purchases like a private island in the Bahamas and two European castles.

These high-maintenance assets lost significant value during the economic downturn, exacerbating his financial troubles.

In addition to his real estate investments, Cage had personal financial obligations, including the care of his ailing mother, which he revealed to GQ cost him around $20,000 per month.

These expenses, along with his luxurious lifestyle and tax debts, contributed to the dramatic decline in his net worth.

Despite the financial setbacks, Cage worked continuously to regain financial stability, taking on numerous acting roles to pay off debts and rebuild his wealth.

Nicolas Cage’s spending habits played a significant role in his financial troubles, in addition to external factors like the housing crash.

He was known for his eccentric purchases, including a collection of rare artifacts, a two-headed snake, and a fleet of 50 cars. These indulgences likely contributed to his financial challenges.

Cage explained in a 2019 interview, how his financial struggles during the mid-2000s and early 2010s influenced his career decisions.

To manage his debts, including a large tax bill, he took on numerous acting roles, many in lower-budget or direct-to-video films, to quickly generate income.

Despite the rapid pace of his work, Cage emphasized that he remained committed to each role, taking pride in his craft even while using the work to recover financially.

This period of intense work helped him gradually stabilize his finances while maintaining his reputation as a dedicated actor.

“I can’t go into specifics or percentages or ratios, but yeah, money is a factor. I’m going to be completely direct about that. There’s no reason not to be,” he said.

“There are times when it’s more of a factor than not. I still have to feel that, whether or not the movie around me entirely works, I’ll be able to deliver something and be fun to watch.”

At the height of his career, Nicolas Cage was commanding up to $20 million per movie. However, according to a source, after experiencing a career renaissance, Cage now commands around $4 million upfront per film. Despite the significant pay cut, Cage remains passionate about his work.

Sources indicate that he’s willing to take an even lower paycheck if he is particularly drawn to a project or if the budget doesn’t allow for a large payday.

This flexibility has allowed Cage to take on a wide variety of roles, particularly in independent films, while still contributing to projects he is genuinely passionate about.

Pig

Nicolas Cage reportedly earned around $1 million or less for his role in the 2021 indie film Pig, which had a modest budget of just $3 million.

Despite the low pay, Pig marked the beginning of Cage’s career comeback, with his performance receiving widespread critical acclaim.

The film showcased his range as an actor, moving away from some of the more eccentric roles he had taken in recent years.

The success of Pig helped him regain credibility in the industry and ultimately led to him commanding higher salaries for future projects.

Dinosaur Skill

In 2007, Nicolas Cage famously outbid Leonardo DiCaprio at an auction, paying $276,000 for a dinosaur skull.

However, it was later discovered that the artifact had been stolen, and Cage was forced to return it to the Mongolian government.

Cage did not break any laws, as he had purchased the skull in good faith with a certificate of authenticity from the auction house.

He was unaware of its illegal origins until the U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him that it may have been obtained through illicit means. Cage cooperated fully and returned the skull, avoiding any legal repercussions.

“It was the skull I bought at an auction, and I bought it legally,” Cage told. “Here’s the MacGuffin: When the Mongolian government said they needed it back, I gave it to them, but I never got my money back. So, somebody at the auction house should be in jail.”

Willy’s Wonderland

Nicolas Cage’s salary for his dialogue-free performance in Willy’s Wonderland has not been publicly disclosed, but his involvement was crucial in bringing the film to life. G.O. Parsons, the creator of Willy’s Wonderland, tweeted in March 2022 about Cage’s significant role in the project, stating,

“I’ve mentioned many times that Willy’s Wonderland would not have been made without Nic’s incredible stewardship (pre-financing/pre-anything — I was just doing my own plays). He (and his team) fought for me and the project. They helped my dream come true. I could never repay them.”

Cage’s passion for the project and commitment to helping it get off the ground showcases his dedication to more unconventional roles, even beyond financial motivations. His support was instrumental in making the film a reality.

Ghost Rider

In 2007, Nicolas Cage starred as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider, a pre-MCU Marvel film. According to a source, Cage earned between $12 million and $20 million upfront for the role, in addition to back-end box office bonuses.

The film, with a budget of $110 million, grossed $228.7 million worldwide, making it a commercial success.

Despite its mixed reviews, Ghost Rider further solidified Cage’s position as a bankable star in big-budget films during the height of his career.

The sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011) had a budget of approximately $57 million, which was about half of the $110 million budget of the first film.

It grossed $132.5 million worldwide, showing a lower box office performance compared to its predecessor.

Despite the reduction in budget and the less favorable critical reception, the film continued the story of Johnny Blaze, played once again by Nicolas Cage.

LaLaurie Mansion

Nicolas Cage’s real estate portfolio included the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, a property renowned among paranormal enthusiasts as one of the most allegedly haunted houses in the United States. He purchased the mansion in 2007 for $3.4 million.

However, he lost the property to foreclosure in late 2009. The mansion’s dark history and Cage’s brief ownership have contributed to its mystique in both real estate and supernatural circles.

Massive Talent

In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), Nicolas Cage was reportedly paid $7 million to portray a fictionalized version of himself.

The film, which features Cage as a fictionalized version of himself, also stars Pedro Pascal, who plays a character that adds to the film’s blend of action and comedy.

The movie plays with the concept of Cage’s larger-than-life persona, leveraging his own celebrity for comedic effect.