What Is Rebecca De Mornay’s Net Worth?
Rebecca De Mornay, a celebrated American actress and producer, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $11 million as of 2025. This financial standing reflects her successful career spanning over four decades in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Background
Born Rebecca Jane Pearch on August 29, 1959, in Santa Rosa, California, Rebecca De Mornay’s early life was marked by significant family changes. Her parents, Julie and George, divorced when she was only two years old. At the age of five, she adopted her stepfather’s surname, shaping her identity early on. Her father, known as Wally George, was a disc jockey and TV host, while her paternal grandmother, Eugenia Clinchard, had a background as a child actress and vaudeville performer, suggesting an early exposure to the world of entertainment. Following her stepfather’s death in 1962, Rebecca was raised in Europe alongside her half-brother, Peter. She attended Summerhill School in England and became fluent in French and German, showcasing a diverse educational background. Before launching her professional career, Rebecca pursued acting studies at the Lee Strasberg Institute and gained practical experience as an apprentice at Zoetrope Film Studio, founded by Francis Ford Coppola.
Career Highlights and Film Roles
Rebecca De Mornay’s career took off with her debut in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1981 film, “One from the Heart.” However, it was her co-starring role with Tom Cruise in the 1983 film “Risky Business” that propelled her to stardom. Her portrayal of Lana in “Risky Business” not only showcased her acting talent but also contributed significantly to her early financial success. Following “Risky Business,” De Mornay appeared in a series of films, including “Testament” (1983), “The Slugger’s Wife” (1985), “Runaway Train” (1985), and “The Trip to Bountiful” (1985). While specific salary details for these early roles are not publicly available, they collectively solidified her position in Hollywood and contributed to her growing wealth.
One of De Mornay’s most memorable roles was as Helen McCaffrey in the 1991 film “Backdraft,” directed by Ron Howard. “Backdraft” was a box office success, grossing $152.4 million worldwide. Although her exact salary for the film remains undisclosed, it is reasonable to assume that her involvement in such a high-grossing film substantially increased her earnings that year. Another significant role came in 1992 with “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” where she played Mrs. Mott / Peyton Flanders. This thriller was a major hit, earning $140 million at the box office. Her performance was critically acclaimed, earning her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and a nomination for Best Actress at the Saturn Awards. Again, specific salary details are not public, but the film’s success would have resulted in significant earnings for De Mornay.
In 1993, she co-starred with Don Johnson in “Guilty as Sin” and portrayed Milady de Winter in “The Three Musketeers.” In 1995, she executive produced and starred in “Never Talk to Strangers.” In 1997, she played Wendy Torrance in Stephen King’s “The Shining” miniseries, which drew over 18 million viewers per episode. The late 1990s also saw her in TV movies such as “The Con” (1998) and “Night Ride Home” (1999), as well as in the films “Thick as Thieves” (1999) and “A Table for One” (1999). She also had a recurring role in five episodes of “ER” in 1999. These roles, while varying in prominence, consistently added to her income and maintained her presence in the industry.
In the early 2000s, De Mornay starred in several TV movies, including “Range of Motion” (2000), “A Girl Thing” (2001), and “Salem Witch Trials” (2002). She also co-starred with John Cusack and Ray Liotta in the 2003 film “Identity,” and guest-starred on “Boomtown” that year. In 2005, she appeared in “Lords of Dogtown” and the comedy “Wedding Crashers,” which grossed $288.5 million against a $40 million budget. Although her specific compensation for “Wedding Crashers” is not publicly known, the film’s success likely resulted in backend earnings for her. She continued to make guest appearances on television shows such as “The Practice” (2004) and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (2006). In 2007, she starred as Cissy Yost in the HBO series “John from Cincinnati.”
Her later career included roles in films such as “Flipped” (2010), “Mother’s Day” (2010), “Apartment 1303 3D” (2012), and “American Reunion” (2012). From 2015 to 2019, she played Dorothy Walker in 13 episodes of “Jessica Jones,” and in 2016 and 2021, she guest-starred in three episodes of “Lucifer” as Penelope Decker. In recent years, De Mornay has appeared in the films “I Am Wrath” (2016), “Periphery” (2018), and “She Ball” (2020). While specific earnings from these projects are not available, each role contributes to her overall financial portfolio and sustained income stream.
Producing Ventures
In addition to her acting roles, Rebecca De Mornay has also worked as a producer, which has contributed to her financial portfolio. She produced the films “Never Talk to Strangers” (1995), “The Winner” (1996), and “A Table for One” (1999). While the financial success and specific earnings from these producing ventures are not publicly detailed, producing credits often come with backend deals and potential for profit-sharing, which can significantly augment an individual’s net worth.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Rebecca De Mornay has received several awards and nominations. In 1997, she won an Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries for “The Shining.” For “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” she won a Best Actress award from the Cognac Festival du Film Policier and an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. The film also earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress, an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Female Performance, and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination for Best Actress. While awards themselves do not directly translate into monetary gains, they enhance an actor’s reputation and can lead to increased opportunities and higher salaries in future projects.
Personal Life and Relationships
In 1981, Rebecca De Mornay began a relationship with Harry Dean Stanton after meeting on the set of “One From the Heart.” They split up in 1982 after De Mornay became romantically involved with Tom Cruise during the filming of “Risky Business.” Rebecca and Tom dated until 1985, and De Mornay married novelist/screenwriter Bruce Wagner on December 16, 1986. The couple divorced in 1990, then Rebecca was briefly engaged to singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen in the ’90s; she co-produced his album “The Future” (1992), which Cohen dedicated to her. From 1995 to 2002, De Mornay was in a relationship with actor/sportscaster Patrick O’Neal, and they welcomed daughters Sophia and Veronica on November 16, 1997, and March 31, 2001, respectively. Details regarding any financial settlements or arrangements arising from these relationships are not publicly available.