Net Worth Ranker
What Is Michael Rooker’s Net Worth?
Michael Rooker, the American actor known for his roles in films like “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “The Suicide Squad,” as well as his television role as Merle Dixon in “The Walking Dead,” has accumulated a considerable fortune over his decades-long career. Michael Rooker’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million. This figure reflects his earnings from acting roles in film and television, voice acting work, and potentially other ventures. While precise details of his contracts and investments are not publicly available, we can examine the trajectory of his career and the financial success of his major projects to understand how he amassed his wealth.
Career Highlights and Earnings Contributing to Michael Rooker’s Net Worth
Rooker’s career began with a bang, starring in the critically acclaimed “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” in 1986. While this role didn’t immediately translate into massive financial gains, it established him as a serious actor and opened doors to future opportunities. Subsequently, Rooker took on roles in “Eight Men Out” (1988) and “Mississippi Burning” (1988). The 1990s saw Rooker venture into action and thriller genres, with roles in films like “Sea of Love” (1989), “Days of Thunder” (1990), “JFK” (1991), and “Cliffhanger” (1993). In “Days of Thunder,” where he played Rowdy Burns, the movie grossed over $157 million worldwide. The actor had a role in “Tombstone” (1993), which grossed $73.2 million against a budget of $25 million.
His roles in “Mallrats” (1995) and “Rosewood” (1997) further solidified his presence in Hollywood. The 2000s brought continued work in films like “The 6th Day” (2000), “Slither” (2006), “Jumper” (2008), “Super” (2010), and “Hypothermia” (2010). While specific salary figures for these earlier roles are not publicly available, these appearances would have added consistently to Michael Rooker’s net worth. In the early 2000’s he had a role in Replicant (2001), which grossed $91.5k in the US box office.
One of the significant milestones in Michael Rooker’s career was his role as Merle Dixon in AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” He appeared in the first season (2010) as a recurring character and became a series regular in the third season (2012-2013). While his exact salary per episode is not public knowledge, it’s reasonable to assume that as a series regular on a massively popular show, he would have commanded a substantial income. Estimates for series regulars on similar hit shows range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per episode. Considering his role in “The Walking Dead,” it is a prominent contributor to Michael Rooker’s net worth.
In addition to live-action roles, Rooker has also worked as a voice actor, lending his talents to video games like “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Call of Duty: Black Ops 2,” and “The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct.” Voice acting can be a lucrative field, with established actors earning significant sums for their contributions to popular video game franchises, adding to Michael Rooker’s net worth. “Call of Duty: Black Ops” generated approximately $650 million in sales within the first five days of its release. Rooker’s work in this successful franchise would have provided a steady income stream.
A major turning point in Michael Rooker’s career came with his casting as Yondu Udonta in “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014). The film was a massive success, grossing $772.8 million worldwide against a budget of $170 million. Rooker reprised his role in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017), which was also a blockbuster, earning $863.8 million worldwide. While his exact salary for these films is not public information, it’s safe to say that his involvement in such high-grossing franchises significantly boosted Michael Rooker’s net worth. Actors in major Marvel films often receive substantial upfront salaries as well as backend deals tied to the film’s box office performance. His role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 helped boost Michael Rooker’s net worth.
Further solidifying his presence in major franchises, Rooker appeared in “F9” (2021), the ninth installment in the “Fast & Furious” series. While his role may have been smaller compared to his Marvel appearances, it still represents a valuable addition to his filmography and likely contributed to his overall earnings. He also played Savant in “The Suicide Squad” (2021), directed by James Gunn. The film grossed over $168 million worldwide. The ongoing work in these successful films contributed to Michael Rooker’s net worth.
Rooker’s recurring collaborations with director James Gunn have also played a significant role in his career trajectory. Gunn has cast Rooker in all five films he has directed, including “Slither” (2006), “Super” (2010), “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014), “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (2017), and “The Suicide Squad” (2021). This consistent working relationship suggests a level of trust and appreciation for Rooker’s talents, which likely translates into consistent work and income.
Property, Personal Life, and Other Factors Influencing Michael Rooker’s Net Worth
Details about Michael Rooker’s real estate holdings are scarce. Public records do not readily reveal the addresses or specific details of his properties. However, in 2017, wildfires in Los Angeles threatened his neighborhood, and firefighters managed to save his home while others nearby were destroyed. This incident confirms that he owns a home in the Los Angeles area, and its value would contribute to his overall net worth. The location of his property is in the Los Angeles area, and would be valued at a high cost considering the market value of homes there.
In 2020, Rooker had an encounter with a trespasser on his property while he was self-isolating in an Airstream trailer due to a COVID-19 infection. This incident highlights the fact that he utilizes his property for both residential and recreational purposes. Any improvements or additional structures on his property, such as the Airstream trailer, would also factor into its overall value. Airstream trailers can range from $40,000 to upwards of $150,000 depending on the model and features.
Rooker has been married to his wife, Margot, since 1979, and they have two daughters together. Information regarding any trusts or inheritance planning that could affect his net worth is not publicly available. The personal life of Michael Rooker has been private, but he has been married to Margot since 1979, showing a long lasting relationship.
In 2020, Rooker contracted COVID-19 but recovered without major complications. While this health scare did not appear to have a significant financial impact, unforeseen health issues can sometimes impact an individual’s ability to work and generate income, potentially affecting their long-term net worth.
While it is challenging to provide a precise breakdown of Michael Rooker’s earnings and investments without access to private financial records, it is evident that his successful acting career, particularly his roles in “The Walking Dead” and the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, has been the primary driver of his estimated $4 million net worth. His consistent work in film, television, and voice acting has allowed him to build a solid financial foundation over the years. Continued success in these areas could see Michael Rooker’s net worth continue to grow in the future.
