What is Gerard Butler's Net Worth and Salary?
Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor with a net worth of $80 million. Known for his iconic role as Spartan King Leonidas in the film "300", Butler's performance earned him multiple awards and accolades. His recognition grew with the starring role in "Olympus Has Fallen" and its sequels. Butler has also established himself as a voice actor and producer throughout his career.
Butler is versatile, moving seamlessly between raunchy comedies, intense action films, and romantic dramas. Though he initially pursued a career in law, his life took a dramatic turn following his father's death, leading him to London and ultimately, Hollywood. Gerard has built a formidable resume, making appearances in films such as "Attila", "Dracula 2000", "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Nim's Island", "RocknRolla", "The Ugly Truth", "Machine Gun Preacher", "Chasing Mavericks", and "Olympus Has Fallen".
Early Life
Gerard James Butler was born on November 13th, 1969, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Raised in a Catholic household, Butler moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada as an infant before returning to Scotland with his mother after his parents' separation. Excelling in secondary school, Butler was admitted to the University of Glasgow School of Law.
During his university years, Butler became involved in theatre, reunited with his father, became president of the school's law society, and joined a rock band. The death of his father at 22 had a profound impact on him, leading to a year-long hiatus from law school. He spent this period in California, working odd jobs and indulging in heavy drinking. Despite his turbulent year, he returned to Scotland to complete his law degree.
Career
Initially pursuing a career in law, Butler's professional options narrowed after being fired for his excessive drinking. He then moved to London with aspirations of fame. Butler's acting career began slowly but gained momentum after reconnecting with an old friend from the Scottish Youth Theatre, securing his first theatre role in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus".
Butler transitioned to film with roles in "Mrs Brown", "Tomorrow Never Dies", and "Tale of the Mummy". His breakthrough roles came in the miniseries "Attila" and the film "Dracula 2000". A significant moment in his career was his role in 2002's "Reign of Fire" alongside Matthew McConaughey. Although the film did not achieve commercial success, it cultivated a cult following.
Butler continued with notable roles in films such as "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life", "Timeline", and "Phantom of the Opera". He later voiced Stoick in the animated film "How to Train Your Dragon". In 2013, Butler began portraying Mike Banning in "Olympus Has Fallen" and its sequels, "London Has Fallen" and "Angel Has Fallen", which added to his critically acclaimed roles along with "300".
Real Estate
In 2015, Butler purchased a property in Glasgow, Scotland, for 582,000 pounds featuring three bedrooms and a private balcony. In 2016, he listed his Los Feliz home for $4.4 million, having bought it in 2008 for $3.25 million. The 4,500-square-foot home, featuring a pool and spa, was also offered for rent at an increased cost of $17,500 per month.
Butler also owns a 3,300-square-foot duplex loft in Chelsea, Manhattan, which he bought in 2004 for $2.57 million. After extensive renovations, he listed it in 2017 for about $6 million. The property includes features such as 11-foot mahogany doors, a home theater, and multiple chandeliers.
In 2019, following severe fire damage to his Malibu home, Butler spent $65,000 on reconstruction. The mansion, initially purchased for $6.45 million, was a "heartbreaking loss" set on 1.67 acres of land. Butler was among several celebrities who suffered significant losses during the California fires.