Tim Blake Nelson Net Worth

What Is Tim Blake Nelson’s Net Worth?

As of 2024, Tim Blake Nelson, the versatile American actor, director, and writer, has an estimated net worth of $5 million. This figure reflects his successful career spanning over three decades, with contributions to film, television, and theater. His income is derived from various sources, including acting roles, directing projects, and writing credits.

Early Life and Education

Timothy Blake Nelson was born on May 11, 1964, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He comes from a Jewish family; his mother, Ruth Nelson (née Kaiser), was a noted Tulsa social activist and philanthropist, while his father, Don Nelson, worked as a geologist and wildcatter. Nelson’s maternal grandparents, Herman Geo. Kaiser and Kate Kaiser, were German Jewish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany, initially finding refuge in Britain in 1938 before immigrating to the United States in 1941. Nelson’s mother was born in Britain before the family immigrated to the United States in 1941.

Nelson’s educational journey began at Holland Hall School in Tulsa, from which he graduated in 1982. He also attended the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. He then pursued higher education at Brown University, graduating in 1986 with a degree in Classics. During his time at Brown, he demonstrated academic excellence and won the Workman/Driskoll award for excellence in Classical Studies. Nelson further honed his skills at the Juilliard School, where he graduated in 1990.

Career Milestones

Nelson’s career began in the theater. In 1992, his play “Eye of God” was produced at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. He transitioned to film, appearing in Nora Ephron’s “This Is My Life” (1992). He gained recognition through roles in “Donnie Brasco” (1997) and “The Thin Red Line” (1998).

A significant milestone in Nelson’s career was his role as Delmar O’Donnell in the Coen Brothers’ “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000). According to directors Joel and Ethan Coen, he was the only one in the cast or crew who had read Homer’s Odyssey, the story on which the film is loosely based. The film’s soundtrack, featuring Nelson’s rendition of “In the Jailhouse Now,” won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2002. He also had supporting performances in feature films such as “Holes,” “Minority Report,” “Syriana,” and “Lincoln”.

Nelson’s directorial ventures include “Eye of God” (1997) and “The Grey Zone” (2001), both adapted from his plays. “Eye of God” earned a nomination for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and an Independent Spirit Award. He also directed “O” (2001), a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Othello.”

Notable Works and Achievements

Nelson has showcased his versatility in numerous films and television series. Some of his notable acting credits include:

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000) – Delmar O’Donnell
“Minority Report” (2002) – Gideon
“Holes” (2003) – Dr. Steve Pendanski
“Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (2004) – Doctor Jonathan Jacobo
“Syriana” (2005) – Danny Dalton Jr.
“Lincoln” (2012) – Richard Schell
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018) – Buster Scruggs
“Watchmen” (2019) – Wade Tillman / Looking Glass
“Old Henry” (2021) – Henry McCarty

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Nelson portrayed Samuel Sterns / The Leader, and he is set to reprise the role in “Captain America: Brave New World,” scheduled for release on February 14, 2025. Other film credits include “The Incredible Hulk”, “Fantastic Four”, and “Captain America: Brave New World”.

Nelson’s directorial credits include:

“Eye of God” (1997)
“O” (2001)
“The Grey Zone” (2001)
“Kansas” (1998)
“Leaves of Grass” (2009)
“Anesthesia”(2015)

His work extends to television, where he directed episodes of “Z: The Beginning of Everything”. He also co-directed music videos for Billy Woods and Kenny Segal, including “Babylon by Bus” and “Soft Landing,” and for Armand Hammer feat. Pink Siifu’s “Trauma Mic.”

Personal Life and Real Estate

Nelson is married to Lisa Benavides, and they have three sons. They reside in New York City. While specific details about Tim Blake Nelson’s real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is understood that he and his family reside in New York City.

Recognition and Awards

Nelson’s contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with several awards and nominations, including:

1997 American Independent Award: Winner
1997 Grand Jury Prize-Dramatic: Nominated for “Eye of God”
1997 Bronze Award: Winner for “Eye of God”
1998 Someone to Watch Award: Nominated
1999 Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: Winner for “The Thin Red Line”
2001 MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: Nominated for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (shared with George Clooney and John Turturro)
2001 Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: Nominated for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
2001 Golden Space Needle Award-Best Director: Winner
2002 Grammy Award-Album of the Year: Winner for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (soundtrack)

He was inducted as an honorary member of the University of Tulsa’s Beta of Oklahoma chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa national collegiate honor society in 2009.