What Is Nicolas Cage's Net Worth?
Nicolas Cage is an American actor whose net worth is $25 million. At the height of his career, Cage's net worth exceeded $100 million, having earned at least $200 million from movie salaries alone. Notably, his extravagant spending habits, coupled with tax issues and poor real estate investments, depleted his once vast wealth. Cage was compelled to sell several prized possessions, including his Ferrari Enzo and the rare "Action Comics #1," which fetched $2.16 million at auction, setting a sales record.
Early Life
Nicolas Cage, born Nicolas Kim Coppola on January 7, 1964, in Long Beach, California, is the son of literature professor August Coppola and choreographer Joy Vogelsang. He attended Beverly Hills High School and UCLA's School of Theatre. Cage is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire and cousin to directors Sofia Coppola and Roman Coppola, as well as actor Jason Schwartzman. To sidestep nepotism accusations, he adopted the surname Cage, inspired by the Marvel superhero Luke Cage.
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Acting Career
Cage's debut in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982) launched a prolific career with roles in acclaimed films like "Valley Girl," "Raising Arizona," "Honeymoon in Vegas," "Face/Off," "Con Air," "Gone in Sixty Seconds," "The Rock," and "The Family Man." His highest-grossing film, "National Treasure" (2004), highlighted his tenure in high-profile action roles. However, some of his ventures, like the "Wicker Man" remake, failed to recoup production costs.
In 2007, while considered for the lead in Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," Cage departed the project, and Mickey Rourke subsequently earned an Academy Award nomination for the role. Cage's performance in Werner Herzog's "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" (2009) earned critical acclaim. "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" (2012) grossed $585 million, contrasting the poorly received "Joe" (2013). In 2018, Cage headlined the critically praised thriller "Mandy." More recently, he appeared in "Pig" (2021), "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" (2022), and "Renfield" (2023), including a cameo as Superman in "The Flash" (2023).
Financial Problems and Recovery
Between 1996 and 2011, Cage's acting roles earned him over $150 million. His notable earnings include $16 million for "Snake Eyes," and $20 million each for "Gone in Sixty Seconds," "Windtalkers," and "National Treasure." His increased income fuelled lavish spending: 15 homes, including two castles, a $7 million Bahamian island, four luxury yachts, numerous exotic cars, a $30 million private jet, art collections, jewels, and a 67-million-year-old dinosaur skull.
In 2009, the IRS filed a federal tax lien against Cage over $6.2 million in unpaid income taxes. Cage's subsequent $20 million lawsuit against his business manager cited negligence and fraud. By 2022, Cage managed to clear his debts and aims to be more selective with future roles to maintain financial stability.
Other Ventures
Cage directed the film "Sonny" (2002) and produced "Shadow of the Vampire" and "The Dresden Files." His voice work includes "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies" and "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." He narrated the documentary "Love, Antosha" (2019). A comic book enthusiast, Cage auctioned his vintage collection for over $1.6 million in 2002. In 2023, he debuted in the video game "Dead by Daylight."
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Accolades
Cage received the Academy Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globe for "Leaving Las Vegas" (1996). He was nominated for another Academy Award for "Adaptation" (2002) and has received numerous nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTAs, and others. For "Color Out of Space" (2018), he was awarded the Creative Coalition Spotlight Initiative Award. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1998) and an honorary doctorate in fine arts from California State University (2001).
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Philanthropy
Cage is known for his generosity. He donated $2 million to Amnesty International to support children in conflict zones and $1 million to Hurricane Katrina victims. He supports ArtWorks, promoting fundamental rights awareness, and was honored with the United Nations Humanitarian Award for his charitable contributions.
Personal Life
Cage's personal life includes a relationship with actress Christina Fulton, with whom he has a son, Weston (b. 1990). He has been married five times: to Patricia Arquette (1995-2001), Lisa Marie Presley (2002, divorced after 107 days), Alice Kim (2004-2016, with son Kal-El born in 2005), Erika Koike (married in March 2019 and divorced in June 2019), and Riko Shibata (married in February 2021, with daughter August born in September 2022).
