Overview

David Thornton is an American actor with a net worth of $8 million. Born in Cheraw, South Carolina, in June 1953, he has been married to singer Cyndi Lauper since 1991. Thornton has had a successful acting career, including a recurring role as Lionel Granger on ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’. In 2017, he played George Pallis on the TV series ‘Homeland’. His film credits include ‘Off and Running’, ‘Men of Respect’, ‘Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle’, ‘Jeffrey’, ‘Search and Destroy’, ‘Home Alone 3’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘John Q’, and ‘The Other Woman’, showcasing his versatility across different genres. David Thornton brought Josh Hamilton to life in the movie The Notebook.

What Is David Thornton’s Net Worth?

David Thornton, an American actor, has accumulated a net worth of $8 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career in film and television, encompassing a variety of roles from recurring characters to supporting parts in notable movies. While the precise breakdown of Thornton’s income sources remains private, his net worth is primarily attributed to his acting endeavors. Specific details on investment portfolios or business ventures beyond acting are not publicly available.

David Thornton’s Career Highlights and Income Sources

Thornton’s career trajectory has been marked by consistent work across different media. He gained significant recognition for his recurring role as Lionel Granger in the “Law & Order” franchise, appearing in both “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” While the exact per-episode salary Thornton earned for these appearances is not publicly disclosed, recurring roles on network television shows typically provide a stable and significant income stream. Actors’ salaries for such roles can vary widely based on experience, negotiation, and the show’s popularity, potentially ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per episode. This could contribute significantly to David Thornton’s Net Worth over time

His work extends to film, where he has appeared in a diverse range of projects. Notable film credits include “Home Alone 3,” “The Notebook,” “Alpha Dog,” and “The Other Woman.” Actors’ earnings in film vary considerably based on their role size, the film’s budget, and their star power. Supporting roles in major studio films can yield anywhere from a few thousand dollars for smaller independent productions to hundreds of thousands or even millions for larger blockbusters. For instance, considering “Home Alone 3” was a mainstream movie, his salary must be considered substantial. While specific salary figures for Thornton’s film roles are not public, it is reasonable to assume that his cumulative earnings from these projects have significantly contributed to his overall net worth.

Beyond acting, information on other potential income streams for Thornton is limited. There are no publicly available details regarding endorsement deals, commercial investments, or entrepreneurial ventures. Therefore, his net worth of $8 million is largely reflective of his acting career earnings, encompassing both television and film projects.

Filmography and Potential Earnings

Examining Thornton’s extensive filmography offers a glimpse into potential earnings. Films like “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,” “Jeffrey,” “Search and Destroy,” “Unhook the Stars,” “If Lucy Fell,” and “Office Killer” represent a period of consistent work in the 1990s. While these films varied in budget and commercial success, each role would have contributed to his income. Similarly, his appearances in “A Civil Action,” “The Last Days of Disco,” “Illuminata,” “Hush,” “High Art,” and “Too Tired to Die” further solidify his presence in the independent film scene. A role in an independent film can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

In the 2000s, Thornton continued to secure roles in films such as “Swept Away,” “John Q,” “XX/XY,” “Private Property,” “100 Mile Rule,” “Prologue,” “The Notebook,” “The Warrior Class,” “Alpha Dog,” “Here and There,” “My Sister’s Keeper,” “Zenith,” “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,” “Trophy Kids,” and “The Other Woman.” The diverse nature of these projects suggests a varied range of earnings, reflecting different budget levels and role sizes. The role in “The Notebook” specifically, could have been on the higher end of his earnings due to the popularity of the movie.

Thornton also had a recurring role as George Pallis on the TV series “Homeland” in 2017. Recurring roles on premium cable networks such as Showtime (where “Homeland” aired) often pay higher per-episode rates compared to network television. While specific figures are not public, the recurring nature of the role on a critically acclaimed series like “Homeland” likely provided a substantial boost to his annual income in 2017 and contributed to his overall net worth. Typical salaries in shows of this nature are around $20,000 to $40,000 per episode, and this could be another large factor of David Thornton’s Net Worth

Marriage to Cyndi Lauper and Financial Considerations

David Thornton has been married to singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper since 1991. While their personal finances are separate, it is worth noting that Lauper herself has achieved significant financial success in the music industry. As of 2025, Cyndi Lauper’s estimated net worth is around $50 million. While Lauper’s wealth does not directly contribute to Thornton’s individual net worth, their marital partnership suggests a shared lifestyle and potential financial stability that could indirectly influence Thornton’s financial decisions and opportunities. Specifics regarding any prenuptial agreements or shared investments between Thornton and Lauper are not publicly known.

Real Estate and Assets

Information regarding David Thornton’s real estate holdings and other significant assets is limited. Public records do not readily provide details about specific properties owned by Thornton, their addresses, or their current market values. Similarly, details about his ownership of private aircraft, luxury vehicles, or other high-value assets are not publicly available. Without access to this information, it is challenging to provide a comprehensive overview of his asset portfolio beyond his acting career earnings. Therefore, the estimated net worth of $8 million primarily reflects his income from acting roles and does not include a detailed accounting of potential real estate or other asset holdings.

Net Worth Milestones and Future Projections

Given the lack of publicly available financial records, it is difficult to pinpoint specific milestones in David Thornton’s net worth accumulation. However, based on his consistent work in film and television, it can be inferred that his net worth has steadily grown over the years. The recurring roles in “Law & Order” and “Homeland,” coupled with his various film appearances, would have provided significant income streams that contributed to his overall financial growth. Future earnings will depend on his continued involvement in acting projects and any potential ventures into other income-generating activities. The data suggests his Net Worth could continue to climb if he continues to book roles.

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