Overview

Robin Gayle Wright is an American actress, director, and producer. She was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in San Diego, California. Wright began her professional career as a model at age 14, working in Paris and Japan. She gained recognition for her role as Kelly Capwell in the soap opera “Santa Barbara” from 1984 to 1988, earning multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations. Transitioning to film, she starred in “The Princess Bride” (1987) and received critical acclaim for her role in “Forrest Gump” (1994), earning a Golden Globe nomination. Other notable film roles include “Message in a Bottle” (1999), “Unbreakable” (2000), and “Wonder Woman” (2017). From 2013 to 2018, Wright starred as Claire Underwood in the Netflix political drama series “House of Cards,” winning a Golden Globe Award and receiving several Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She also directed episodes of “House of Cards,” “Ozark,” and “Tell Me Lies.” In 2021, she directed and starred in the film “Land.”

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Actress

What Is Robin Wright’s Net Worth?

Robin Wright, a prominent figure in American entertainment as an actress, director, and producer, has accumulated a considerable net worth of $65 million. Her financial success is a result of her work in television and film. She gained initial fame on the daytime soap opera “Santa Barbara.” Her performances in movies like “The Princess Bride,” “Forrest Gump,” “Unbreakable,” and “Nine Lives” cemented her status as a prominent actress. Also, her role as lead actress and executive producer on the Netflix series “House of Cards,” for which she won a Golden Globe, played a significant role in her financial success.

Robin Wright’s Income Streams and Assets

Her divorce settlement with Sean Penn in 2011 provided a substantial financial boost, with reports indicating she received approximately $40 million, representing half of his fortune at the time.

During the peak of “House of Cards,” Robin Wright’s salary reached $9 million per season. Initially, Wright earned $420,000 per episode, less than her co-star Kevin Spacey’s $500,000. She advocated for equal pay, citing the popularity of her character, Claire Underwood. Her efforts led to a salary increase and a producer credit.

Early Roles and Career Beginnings:Robin Gayle Wright, born on April 8, 1966, in Dallas, Texas, began her career as a model at 14. In the early 1980s, she appeared in two episodes of “The Yellow Rose.” Her breakthrough came with the role of Kelly Capwell on “Santa Barbara” from 1984 to 1988, appearing in 538 episodes. This role earned her multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations.

Transition to Film:In 1986, Wright transitioned to film with a part in “Hollywood Vice Squad.” In 1987, she starred in “The Princess Bride” as Princess Buttercup. In the early 1990s, she appeared in “Denial,” “State of Grace” with Sean Penn and Ed Harris, “The Playboys” with Albert Finney and Aidan Quinn, and “Toys” with Robin Williams.

Critical Acclaim and Awards:Wright’s performance as Jenny Curran in “Forrest Gump” (1994) garnered Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Best Supporting Actress. In 1996, she starred in “Moll Flanders,” earning a Satellite Award nomination. She also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for “Loved” and another Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for “She’s So Lovely.”

Film Roles in the 2000s:In the 2000s, Wright appeared in “How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog” and “Unbreakable” with Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. She also starred in Sean Penn’s “The Pledge,” “White Oleander,” “The Singing Detective,” “Virgin,” and “A Home at the End of the World” with Colin Farrell.

Further Film Success:In 2005, Wright received acclaim for her performances in “Sorry, Haters” and “Nine Lives.” Other films in the 2000s included “Breaking and Entering,” “Hounddog,” “Beowulf,” “What Just Happened,” “State of Play,” and “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.”

2010s Film Appearances:In the early 2010s, Wright had roles in “The Conspirator,” “Moneyball,” “Rampart,” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” In 2013, she appeared in “Adore” and “The Congress.” Subsequent credits include “A Most Wanted Man,” “Everest,” “Wonder Woman,” “Blade Runner 2049,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League.” In 2021, she made her feature directorial debut with “Land,” where she also starred in the lead role.

“House of Cards” and Television Career

Return to Television:After 17 years away from television, Wright returned in the 2005 HBO miniseries “Empire Falls,” earning a Screen Actors Guild nomination.

“House of Cards” Success:Her role as Claire Underwood in “House of Cards” earned her multiple Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe nominations. In 2014, she won the Golden Globe, the first actress to win for a streaming television series. After Kevin Spacey’s departure, Wright became the lead in the show’s final season, garnering further nominations.

Personal Life Details:Robin Wright married Dane Witherspoon in 1986, divorcing in 1988. She then married Sean Penn in 1991, having two children, Dylan Frances and Hopper Jack, before divorcing in 2010. Later, she was engaged to Ben Foster but never married. In August 2018, she married Clément Giraudet, filing for divorce in September 2022.

Philanthropic Activities:Wright is the honorary spokesperson for The Gordie Foundation, which addresses risks associated with alcohol consumption among young people. She is also a human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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