What Is William Fichtner’s Net Worth?
William Fichtner, a prolific American actor known for his diverse roles across film, television, and video games, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This financial standing is a result of his consistent work in the entertainment industry, spanning several decades and encompassing a wide array of projects.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
William Edward Fichtner was born on November 27, 1956, at Mitchel Air Force Base on Long Island, New York. His parents, Patricia and William Fichtner, raised him in Cheektowaga. Fichtner’s early education took place at Maryvale High School. He then attended Farmingdale State College, where he earned an associate degree in criminal justice in 1974. Continuing his academic pursuits, he obtained a B.A. degree in the same field from SUNY Brockport. He subsequently honed his acting skills at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, laying the foundation for his future career.
Fichtner began his professional acting career in 1987, securing the role of Josh Snyder on the CBS soap opera “As the World Turns.” This marked his entry into the world of television and set the stage for more significant roles to come. In 1989, he appeared in two episodes of the ABC series “A Man Called Hawk” and also had a guest spot on “Baywatch.” These early roles helped him gain experience and exposure in the television industry.
Film Career: From Supporting Roles to Notable Appearances
Fichtner made his feature film debut in 1994, playing a stage manager in Robert Redford’s “Quiz Show.” This initial foray into film opened doors for subsequent roles. The year 1995 proved to be a busy one for him, with appearances in five different movies. These included the science-fiction action film “Virtuosity,” the dark comedy “Reckless,” Kathryn Bigelow’s dystopian thriller “Strange Days,” Steven Soderbergh’s “The Underneath,” and Michael Mann’s crime drama “Heat,” starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.
His film career continued to gain momentum in the late 1990s with roles in Kevin Spacey’s “Albino Alligator,” Robert Zemeckis’ science-fiction drama “Contact,” the thriller “Switchback,” Michael Bay’s science-fiction disaster film “Armageddon,” the crime comedy “Go,” and the independent film “The Settlement,” costarring John C. Reilly. These diverse roles showcased his versatility as an actor.
The 2000s saw Fichtner’s presence in a string of notable films. In 2000, he appeared in the disaster drama “The Perfect Storm,” the crime comedy “Drowning Mona,” and the romantic drama “Passion of Mind,” where he landed one of his first leading roles. The following year, he re-teamed with director Michael Bay for the romantic war drama “Pearl Harbor” and also had roles in “Black Hawk Down” and the comedy “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” In 2002, he appeared in “Julie Walking Home” and “Equilibrium.”
The year 2005 was particularly significant for Fichtner, as he appeared in six films, including the Best Picture Oscar winner “Crash.” Other films he was in that year included the drama “Nine Lives” and the comedies “The Chumscrubber” and “The Longest Yard.” He followed this with roles in the science-fiction action film “Ultraviolet,” the Will Ferrell comedy “Blades of Glory,” the thriller “First Snow,” and the superhero epic “The Dark Knight.” His consistent appearances in both mainstream and independent films contributed significantly to his William Fichtner net worth.
In the 2010s, Fichtner continued to work steadily in film, appearing in movies such as the romantic comedy “Date Night,” the action films “The Big Bang” and “Drive Angry,” and the independent comedy “Wrong.” Other credits include “Phantom,” “The Lone Ranger,” “Elysium,” “The Homesman,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Independence Day: Resurgence,” “Hot Summer Nights,” and “The Neighbor,” where he played a leading role. He was also in “Krystal,” “Traffik,” “O.G.,” “Armed,” “All the Devil’s Men,” “Josie & Jack,” and “Finding Steve McQueen.” His ability to secure roles in diverse genres ensured a consistent income stream, bolstering his William Fichtner net worth.
Television Career: From “Grace Under Fire” to “Mom”
From 1994 to 1995, Fichtner had a recurring role on the ABC sitcom “Grace Under Fire.” A starring role came in 2002 when he was cast as Dr. Bruce Kellerman on the medical drama “MDs,” but the series only lasted for one season. Subsequently, he appeared on series such as “The West Wing,” “Empire Falls,” and “American Dad!”
Two of the actor’s most significant television roles came soon after. From 2005 to 2006, he played the lead role of Sheriff Tom Underlay on the short-lived science-fiction series “Invasion.” Following this, from 2006 to 2009, Fichtner portrayed FBI agent Alexander Mahone on the Fox drama “Prison Break.” This role was particularly significant, as it spanned multiple seasons and garnered him widespread recognition. His performance as Alexander Mahone earned him critical acclaim and broadened his fan base.
Later television credits included “Entourage,” where he played the recurring role of Phil Yagoda, and “Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden,” a television film that aired on the National Geographic Channel. Fichtner secured another leading role on the action crime thriller “Crossing Lines,” which aired for three seasons between 2013 and 2015. In the first two seasons, he played Carlton “Carl” Hickman, an NYPD detective. After guest-starring on the musical drama series “Empire” for four episodes, Fichtner landed the role of Adam Janikowski on the CBS sitcom “Mom.” Initially a recurring role, he eventually became a part of the main cast in season four. Other television credits include “Shooter,” “Veep,” “Corporate,” and “Top Gun America,” which he hosted for eight episodes. These consistent television appearances have contributed significantly to his overall William Fichtner net worth.
Voice Work in Video Games
Fichtner has also lent his voice to several video games, further diversifying his income streams. His first video game role was as Ken Rosenberg in both “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” and “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” These roles were particularly notable due to the popularity of the Grand Theft Auto franchise. He later lent his voice to the first-person shooters “Turok” and “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.” He was also involved in “Disney Infinity” and the Nintendo 3DS version of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” voicing the supervillain The Shredder. While specific figures for his earnings from video game voice work are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that these roles have contributed to his William Fichtner net worth.
Real Estate Investment
In June 2006, Fichtner purchased a home in Glendale, California, for $1.64 million. As of today, this property is estimated to be worth around $3 million. This real estate investment has appreciated in value over time, contributing to his overall William Fichtner net worth. The property’s increase in value reflects the general trend of real estate appreciation in the Glendale area.
Personal Life
Fichtner married actress Betsy Aidem in 1987, and they divorced in 1996. He later married Kymberly Kalil. He has two children. As a native of a suburb of Buffalo, New York, Fichtner is a dedicated fan of the Buffalo Bills professional football team. He demonstrated his support for the team by appearing in a commercial leading up to the 2014 season. Additionally, he narrated the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “Four Falls of Buffalo,” which chronicled the Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s.