Net Worth Ranker
What Is John Rhys-Davies’ Net Worth?
John Rhys-Davies, the Welsh actor celebrated for his roles in iconic film franchises, boasts a net worth of $5 million. This estimation primarily stems from his extensive career spanning film, television, and voice acting roles.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born on May 5, 1944, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, to a nurse mother, Phyllis, and a mechanical engineer and colonial officer father, Rhys, John Rhys-Davies experienced a unique upbringing, spending much of his childhood in Tanganyika before moving to Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales. His early education included attendance at the Truro School in Cornwall, England, and later the University of East Anglia in Norwich. After a brief stint as a secondary school teacher, he honed his craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, setting the stage for his acting career.
Rhys-Davies’s foray into film began in 1973 with a small role in “Penny Gold.” Subsequent minor roles in films like “The Black Windmill” and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” followed. His breakthrough role arrived in 1981 when he portrayed Sallah, the Egyptian excavator, in Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The film was a box office smash, grossing over $389 million worldwide against a budget of $18 million. Rhys-Davies reprised the role in 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” which earned over $494 million globally against a $48 million budget, further solidifying his presence in Hollywood. The “Indiana Jones” films significantly contributed to John Rhys-Davies’ net worth, providing him with a consistent stream of income from residuals and royalties.
Between his appearances in the “Indiana Jones” films, Rhys-Davies took on various roles in movies such as “Best Revenge,” “Victor/Victoria,” “Sahara,” “Sword of the Valiant,” “King Solomon’s Mines,” and “The Living Daylights.” “Victor/Victoria,” released in 1982, grossed over $25 million domestically, while “The Living Daylights,” a James Bond film released in 1987, earned over $191 million worldwide. These roles, while not as iconic as Sallah, added to his earnings and expanded his acting portfolio.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: A Career Defining Moment
In 2001, Rhys-Davies appeared in “Never Say Never Mind: The Swedish Bikini Team” before landing one of his most memorable roles: Gimli, the dwarf, in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001) grossed over $897 million worldwide, “The Two Towers” (2002) earned over $947 million, and “The Return of the King” (2003) exceeded $1.14 billion globally. Rhys-Davies, as Gimli, played a pivotal role in the success of these films. The cast of “The Return of the King” received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, an honor that Rhys-Davies shared, marking a key milestone in his career. The substantial salaries earned from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy significantly bolstered his net worth.
His contract details for the Lord of the Rings films, while not fully public, are estimated to have included a base salary per film plus a percentage of the backend profits due to the monumental success of the trilogy. Given the films’ box office performance, his earnings from backend profits could have been substantial. Moreover, the enduring popularity of the films continues to generate income through DVD sales, streaming rights, and merchandising, contributing to the actor’s residual income.
Following “The Lord of the Rings,” Rhys-Davies continued to work steadily in film, with appearances in titles like “Scorcher,” “Coronado,” “The Medallion,” and “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” While these films did not achieve the same level of commercial success as “The Lord of the Rings,” they provided additional income and kept him active in the industry. “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement,” released in 2004, grossed over $134 million worldwide, further adding to his career earnings.
In the 2010s, Rhys-Davies continued to work in a variety of films, including the biblical film “KJB: The Book That Changed the World,” “Prisoners of the Sun,” “Apocalypse Pompeii,” and “Saul: The Journey to Damascus.” He also starred in “Beyond the Mask,” a Christian historical film released in 2015. These roles, while less prominent, added to his income stream and demonstrated his versatility as an actor. Other film credits include “Camera Store,” “Valley of the Gods,” and “Prick’d,” maintaining his presence in the film industry.
Television Roles: From Shōgun to Sliders
Rhys-Davies began his television career in the 1970s with appearances in British series such as “Fall of Eagles,” “The Sweeney,” “I, Claudius,” and “Warship.” His role as Vasco Rodrigues in the 1980 American historical drama miniseries “Shōgun,” based on James Clavell’s novel, earned him an Emmy Award nomination. “Shōgun” was a ratings success, reaching an estimated 30% of American households during its initial broadcast. This exposure significantly raised his profile in the United States and opened doors for further opportunities.
In the 1990s, Rhys-Davies had major television roles, including Professor Maximillian Arturo on the science-fiction fantasy series “Sliders” and Agent Malone on the reboot of “The Untouchables.” “Sliders” ran for five seasons and developed a cult following, providing Rhys-Davies with steady work and income. He appeared in episodes of “You Wish” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” further diversifying his television credits. The consistent work in television during the 1990s contributed substantially to his overall earnings.
In the early 2000s, Rhys-Davies played King Priam in the miniseries “Helen of Troy” and King Fastrad in the television film “Dragon Storm.” He also appeared in the miniseries “Revelations” and the television films “Anaconda 3: Offspring” and “Fire & Ice: The Dragon Chronicles.” His television credits include “Killing Jesus” and the first season of “The Shannara Chronicles.” These roles, while varied, continued to provide him with a steady income stream throughout his career. While specific contract amounts for these television roles are not publicly available, it’s common for established actors like Rhys-Davies to command significant per-episode fees, depending on the prominence of the role and the network or streaming platform producing the show.
Voice Acting: A Prolific Career
Beyond live-action roles, Rhys-Davies has established a prolific career as a voice actor, lending his voice to animated films such as “Aladdin and the King of Thieves,” “The Jungle Book 2,” “The Prophet,” and “Mosley.” He also voiced Treebeard in “The Lord of the Rings” films and the Brine King in “Aquaman,” which grossed over $1.14 billion worldwide. These voice acting roles often involve less time commitment than live-action roles but can still generate significant income, especially for successful animated films.
His television voice acting credits include “The Legend of Prince Valiant,” “Gargoyles,” “Justice League,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Once Upon a Time,” and “Wizards: Tales of Arcadia.” These voice acting roles provide consistent income and showcase his versatility as a performer. Voice acting roles, while not always as high-profile as live-action work, offer a steady stream of income, with rates depending on the project’s budget and the actor’s prominence.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Rhys-Davies married Suzanne Wilkinson in late 1966, and they had two children before separating in 1985. They remained married until her death in 2010. In 2004, he began a relationship with Lisa Manning, with whom he has a daughter. The couple divides their time between residences in New Zealand and the Isle of Man. While specific details about his real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is common for actors of his stature to own properties in multiple locations, adding to his overall asset portfolio. It is likely that he owns at least one property in New Zealand, given his long-standing connection to the country and his work on “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, as well as a property on the Isle of Man.
John Rhys-Davies’ Net Worth – Summary
In summary, John Rhys-Davies’ net worth of $5 million is a result of his decades-long career in film, television, and voice acting. His iconic roles in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy significantly contributed to his financial success. While specific financial details, such as real estate holdings and investment portfolios, remain private, his consistent work and diverse roles have solidified his position as a successful and respected actor.
