What Is Tim Burton's Net Worth and Salary?
Tim Burton, an American film director, producer, writer, poet, and stop-motion artist, boasts a net worth of $100 million. He gained widespread recognition for his unique films such as "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and "Corpse Bride." While his net worth is substantial, it was affected by two marriages and a notable breakup with Helena Bonham Carter, who received approximately $20 million worth of real estate after their separation.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Timothy Walter Burton on August 25, 1958, in Burbank, California, Tim was immersed in the entertainment industry from a young age. Nurturing his talents, he attended the California Institute of the Arts in 1976 and joined Disney's animation program during his second year. Despite showing promise, Burton's distinctive style clashed with Disney's vision, leading to his departure after just two years.
Film Career
Paul Reubens recognized Burton's talent after viewing his short film "Frankenweenie" (1984) and hired him to direct "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" (1985), which grossed over $40 million on an $8 million budget. Burton's following projects included the smash hits "Beetlejuice" (1988) and "Batman" (1989), the latter earning over $400 million globally despite initial skepticism over casting Michael Keaton as Batman.
In 1990, Burton’s "Edward Scissorhands" became a sleeper hit, marking the beginning of his long collaboration with Johnny Depp. They partnered on numerous films, including "Sleepy Hollow" (1999), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), and "Alice in Wonderland" (2010). Burton frequently collaborated with Christopher Lee, who starred in six of his films, and his then-partner, Helena Bonham Carter, who appeared in seven.
Burton’s diverse filmography includes "Batman Returns" (1991), "Mars Attacks!" (1996) featuring an ensemble cast including Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close, "Planet of the Apes" (2001), "Big Fish" (2003), and the stop-motion animated "Frankenweenie" (2012). His production credits include "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), "James and the Giant Peach" (1996), and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (2012).
(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Art Exhibitions
From November 22, 2009, to April 26, 2010, New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) showcased over 700 of Burton's works, including drawings, paintings, storyboards, and puppets. His exhibitions have traveled globally to locations such as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, LACMA, The Neon Museum, Cinémathèque Française, and the Seoul Museum of Art.
Personal Life
Tim Burton's personal life includes marriages to German artist Lena Gieseke (1987-1991) and actress Lisa Marie Smith (1993-2001). He then had a relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter from 2001-2014, with whom he shares two children, William and Nell. In 2010, Burton was awarded the insignia of Chevalier of Arts and Letters by France’s Ministry of Culture.
Real Estate
During his relationship with Bonham Carter, they resided in two connected homes in London. Following their separation, Bonham Carter kept the properties, while Burton purchased a $14 million home nearby.
