Net Worth Ranker
What Is Aaron Sorkin’s Net Worth?
Aaron Sorkin, the celebrated American playwright, screenwriter, and producer, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $90 million. This impressive figure reflects his decades-long career crafting critically acclaimed and commercially successful works for stage, screen, and television.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on June 9, 1961, in Manhattan, New York, to a schoolteacher mother and a copyright lawyer father, Aaron Sorkin’s early life provided a fertile ground for his creative pursuits. He honed his talents at Scarsdale High School, where he actively participated in the drama and theatre club, serving as vice president during his junior and senior years. He graduated in 1979. Continuing his education at Syracuse University, Sorkin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre in 1983. His formal training provided him with a solid foundation in the performing arts, setting the stage for his future accomplishments.
After graduating, Aaron Sorkin moved to New York City and spent the majority of the 1980s working odd jobs, such as delivering singing telegrams and driving a limousine, while pursuing an acting career. During this time, he discovered a knack for writing, using an IBM Selectric typewriter at a friend’s house to pen his first play, “Removing All Doubt.” His second play, “Hidden in this Picture,” further solidified his reputation and led to securing a theatrical agent.
Breakthrough with “A Few Good Men”
Aaron Sorkin’s initial foray into Hollywood screenwriting involved a courtroom drama entitled “A Few Good Men.” In 1988, he sold the rights to “A Few Good Men” to producer David Brown in a deal reported to be in the six-figure range, marking a significant step forward in his career. Brown then produced “A Few Good Men” on Broadway at the Music Box Theater, where it enjoyed a successful run of 497 performances. Brown then took the project to TriStar Pictures, but it was declined until Rob Reiner and Castle Rock Entertainment took interest in the film, hiring Sorkin to write the screenplay. The film adaptation of “A Few Good Men,” released in 1992, became a box office hit, grossing over $243 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million. Starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore, the film’s success cemented Sorkin’s position as a sought-after screenwriter.
Following the success of “A Few Good Men,” Aaron Sorkin continued to work on screenplays, including the thriller “Malice” released in 1993, which featured Nicole Kidman and Alec Baldwin. He then worked on “The American President” for Castle Rock, which took him several years to complete.
Television Triumphs: “Sports Night” and “The West Wing”
Aaron Sorkin transitioned into television with “Sports Night,” a series that explored the behind-the-scenes world of a sports show, debuting on ABC in 1998. While critically acclaimed, the show was canceled after two seasons because of low ratings. Although Sorkin received offers to continue the show on another network, he declined due to his work on “The West Wing.”
His creation of “The West Wing,” a political drama series starring Martin Sheen as the President of the United States, marked a turning point in his career. The pilot episode of “The West Wing” aired in the fall of 1999 and ran for seven seasons. During its debut season, the show received nine Emmy nominations, winning five, highlighting its critical acclaim. Sorkin personally penned 87 screenplays for the show, contributing to nearly every episode during its first four Emmy-winning seasons. However, due to conflicts with Warner Bros. Television, Aaron Sorkin departed from “The West Wing” at the end of season four.
Return to Theatre and Film Successes
In 2005, Aaron Sorkin returned to theatre, penning several plays over the next few years. His return to screenwriting came in 2007 with “Charlie Wilson’s War,” which garnered five Golden Globe nominations, including Best Screenplay for Sorkin.
Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay for “The Social Network,” a film based on Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg, earned him his first Oscar in 2010. Directed by David Fincher, “The Social Network” grossed over $224 million worldwide on a budget of $50 million, further solidifying Sorkin’s reputation in Hollywood. In addition to the Oscar, Sorkin also received a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his work on the film. A year later, he received nominations for all three awards in the same categories for co-writing “Moneyball.” The film starred Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
“The Newsroom,” “Steve Jobs,” and Directorial Debut
While working on “The Social Network,” Sorkin conceived the idea for a drama set behind the scenes of a cable news program. Talks began in 2010, and in September, HBO ordered a 10-episode series of “The Newsroom,” which premiered in June 2012 and starred Jeff Daniels. One day after the second episode aired, HBO renewed the series for a second season. “The Newsroom” concluded after three highly acclaimed seasons.
In 2015, Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay for Danny Boyle’s biopic “Steve Jobs,” which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. The film received critical acclaim for its writing and performances. Aaron Sorkin made his directorial debut with “Molly’s Game,” for which he also wrote the screenplay. He received his third Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film generated over $59 million worldwide, on a budget of $30 million.
Recent Work: “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
In 2020, Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Originally written in 2007 but shelved, the film was released on Netflix in October 2020 and received positive reviews. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, further cementing Sorkin’s position as one of Hollywood’s leading screenwriters and directors.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Aaron Sorkin was married to Julia Bingham from 1996 to 2005, and they have one daughter, Roxy. In 2005, Aaron bought a home in Beverly Hills for his ex-wife Julia Bingham for $5 million. In 2008, Aaron paid $6.1 million for a home in the Hollywood Hills above the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.
Aaron Sorkin has publicly addressed his past struggles with substance abuse, including marijuana and cocaine use starting in 1987. He attended rehab at the Hazelden Institute of Minnesota in 1995. In early 2001, Sorkin and his colleagues John Spencer and Martin Sheen received the Phoenix Rising Award for overcoming their drug addictions. However, later that year, Sorkin was arrested at Hollywood Burbank Airport after security guards found mushrooms, marijuana, and crack cocaine in his carry-on. He was court-ordered to a drug diversion program while continuing to work on “The West Wing.” In a 2012 commencement speech at Syracuse University, he stated that he had not used any type of drugs in eleven years.
