What Is Ethan Coen's Net Worth?
Ethan Coen is an American director, writer, and producer with a net worth of $60 million. Together with his brother Joel, Ethan has crafted several Academy Award-winning films. The Coen brothers’ journey began with saving up for a camera to recreate movies with friends. Ethan graduated from Bard College at Simon's Rock and earned a philosophy degree from Princeton University.
Ethan and Joel made their debut with the film "Blood Simple" in 1984, directed by Joel. This was followed by "Crimewave" (1985), "Raising Arizona" (1987), and "Miller's Crossing" (1991). Their groundbreaking moment came in 1996, winning their first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay with "Fargo." Other notable films include "The Big Lebowski," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," "Intolerable Cruelty," and the Oscar-winning "No Country for Old Men." Ethan lives in New York with his wife, film editor Tricia Cooke, and their two children, Dusty and Buster Jacob.
Early Life
Ethan Coen was born on September 21, 1957, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He is the son of Rena, an art historian, and Edward Coen, an economics professor. Ethan grew up with his siblings, Deborah and Joel, in a family of Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The Coen brothers developed an early interest in film, inspired by Italian films and comedies. In the 1960s, Joel saved up to buy a Super 8 camera, sparking their filmmaking journey with homemade movies starring their friends.
Ethan graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1976 and then attended Bard College at Simon's Rock. He later graduated from Princeton University in 1979 with a degree in philosophy, with his senior thesis focusing on Wittgenstein’s philosophy.
Career
After Princeton, Ethan and Joel collaborated on their first commercial film, "Blood Simple," in 1984. They followed up with "Crimewave" (1985), "Raising Arizona" (1987), and "Miller's Crossing" (1990), the latter receiving critical acclaim. Their 1991 film "Barton Fink" was a significant milestone, winning three major awards at Cannes Film Festival and receiving multiple Oscar nominations. This film marked the beginning of their long-term collaboration with cinematographer Roger Deakins.
Despite the box office failure of "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994), the Coen brothers bounced back with "Fargo" in 1996, which earned BAFTA and Cannes awards, and two Oscars. Their 1998 film "The Big Lebowski," featuring Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi, became a cult classic despite initial mixed reviews, leading to the annual Lebowski Fest since 2002.
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In 1998, Ethan published a collection of short stories titled "Gates of Eden" and co-wrote the comedy "The Naked Man." "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" was released in 2000, starring George Clooney and loosely based on Homer's "Odyssey." In 2003, they directed "Intolerable Cruelty" and rewrote "Bad Santa." Their 2007 film, "No Country for Old Men," featuring Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem, won several awards and was critically acclaimed.
In 2008, Ethan’s play "Almost an Evening" premiered off-Broadway. That same year, the brothers released the comedy "Burn After Reading." They continued to create hits with "A Serious Man" (2009), "True Grit" (2010), and "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013). The "Fargo" television series, based on their 1996 film, premiered in 2014. They also co-wrote "Bridge of Spies" (2015) and directed "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" (2018).
In 2022, it was announced that Ethan would direct "Drive-Away Dolls," his first solo directorial project.
Personal Life
In 1990, Ethan married film editor Tricia Cooke, and they have two children, Dusty and Buster Jacob. The family resides in New York City.
