What Is Katharine Ross’s Net Worth?
Katharine Ross, a celebrated American actress, boasts a net worth of $20 million. This impressive figure is a combined net worth with her husband, actor Sam Elliott, whom she has been married to for several decades. While specific breakdowns of her net worth, such as income from individual films, endorsements, or investments, are not publicly available, her extensive career in film and television has undoubtedly contributed significantly to her financial standing.
Katharine Ross: A Career Overview
Ross’s career began with early television appearances in the 1960s, guest-starring in shows such as “Sam Benedict,” “The Lieutenant,” “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,” and “Ben Casey,” as well as Westerns like “The Virginian,” “Gunsmoke,” “Wagon Train,” and “The Big Valley.” Her early film work included “Shenandoah” (1965), where she played the daughter-in-law of James Stewart’s character.
Her breakthrough role came in 1967 with “The Graduate,” where she played Elaine Robinson alongside Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. While specific salary details from “The Graduate” are not publicly disclosed, the film’s immense success—grossing over $104 million domestically on a budget of just $3 million—likely provided Ross with a substantial financial boost and opened doors to higher-paying roles in the future. For her performance, she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. There are no available details of awards bonuses, and other potential forms of compensation, if they existed at all.
Following “The Graduate,” Ross appeared in “Hellfighters” (1968) as the daughter of John Wayne’s character. In 1969, she starred in two Westerns alongside Robert Redford: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Tell Them Willie Boy is Here.” While individual salary details from these films remain undisclosed, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” was a major box office success, earning over $102 million domestically. Such success would have impacted her future earning potential. In the same year, she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her overall achievements.
In 1975, Ross starred in “The Stepford Wives,” a film that has become a cult classic. Again, specific salary details are unavailable. In 1976, she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Voyage of the Damned.” During the late 1970s, Ross starred in the horror films “The Swarm” and “The Legacy” (1978), the latter alongside her future husband, Sam Elliott. Details of her compensation for these films have not been publicized.
During the 1980s, Ross appeared in “The Final Countdown” (1980) and “Wrong Is Right” (1982). She had a role in “Red Headed Stranger” (1986). In 1991, she appeared in “A Climate for Killing.” A decade later, she played Dr. Lilian Thurman in “Donnie Darko” (2001). Her more recent film credits include “Don’t Let Go,” “Eye of the Dolphin,” and “The Hero.” Specific financial information for these roles is not available.
On television, Ross starred on the primetime soap opera “The Colbys,” a spinoff of “Dynasty.” Details regarding her salary per episode or her total earnings from the show are not publicly known. She also starred alongside Sam Elliott in the 1991 television film “Conagher.”
Real Estate and Personal Assets
Katharine Ross’s assets include real estate holdings, most notably the 2.6-acre Malibu home that she and Sam Elliott purchased in the 1970s. While the exact purchase price is unknown, similar properties in Malibu have sold for between $6 million and $10 million in recent years. This appreciation indicates a substantial increase in the value of their primary residence. Without specific appraisals, the market value can only be estimated.
In addition to the Malibu property, Ross and Elliott own a property in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, as well as Elliott’s childhood home in Portland, which he inherited after his mother’s death in 2012. The value of the Oregon property and the Portland home are not publicly accessible, but they contribute to the couple’s overall asset portfolio.
There are no publicly available details regarding other personal investments or assets held by Katharine Ross, such as stocks, bonds, or other financial holdings. Similarly, there is no information available about specific luxury vehicles or private planes owned by Ross or Elliott.
Personal Life and Relationships
Katharine Ross has been married five times. Her first marriage was to Joel Fabiani (1960-1962), followed by John Marion (1964-1967). After “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” she married Conrad L. Hall, the film’s cinematographer, in 1969; they divorced in 1975. She then married Gaetano Lisi, a technician she met on the set of “The Stepford Wives,” but they divorced in 1979. In 1984, she married Sam Elliott. Together, they have a daughter named Cleo.
In 2011, there was an incident where Cleo reportedly stabbed Ross with scissors, leading to a restraining order. Details about legal settlements or financial implications resulting from this incident have not been publicly released.
In summary, Katharine Ross’s $20 million net worth reflects her long and successful career in film and television, as well as real estate holdings. The primary sources of her wealth are her acting roles and her long-term marriage to Sam Elliott.